Innovation capabilities are considered a key factor impacting the success and sustainability of born global firms across the world. These capabilities are even more significant for the born global firms from emerging markets. In this study, we propose an overarching conceptual framework called ICONIC to explain the factors that are critical for developing innovation capabilities in born global firms. Using grounded theory with a triangulation approach, we define innovation capabilities as a multi-dimensional construct with three sub-dimensions: business model innovation, improvisation abilities, and personalized problem-solving. Furthermore, we identify three antecedents (firm-related factors, competition-related factors, and customer orientation) leading to innovation capabilities and discuss the tangible and intangible outcomes of innovation capabilities. In this study, we also propose a set of propositions describing the nature of the relationship between different constructs in our framework. Finally, we discuss the theoretical contributions and implications for born global firms and policymakers to realize the strategic goals of internationalization.

创新能力被认为是影响全球本土企业成功和可持续发展的关键因素。这些能力对于新兴市场诞生的跨国公司来说更为重要。在这项研究中，我们提出了一个名为ICONIC的总体概念框架，以解释对于天生的全球化企业发展创新能力至关重要的因素。使用扎根理论和三角测量方法，我们将创新能力定义为具有三个子维度的多维度结构：商业模式创新、即兴创作能力和个性化问题解决能力。此外，我们确定了三个前因（公司相关因素，竞争相关因素和客户导向）导致创新能力，并讨论创新能力的有形和无形成果。在这项研究中，我们还提出了一组命题，描述我们框架中不同结构之间关系的性质。最后，我们讨论了对天生的全球化企业和政策制定者实现国际化战略目标的理论贡献和启示。