Despite the growing volume of literature on international new ventures (INVs), little is known about the antecedents of their internationalization process over time. Most research has focused on the antecedents of the early phase of INVs internationalization, setting aside the antecedents of the later phases of their internationalization process. However, the literature suggests that many INVs encounter difficulties sustaining their long-term growth. Determining the antecedents of INVs internationalization over time appears therefore crucial. The objective of this paper is thus to identify what are the antecedents of the various phases that shape the INVs internationalization process. To fill this objective, the authors conduct a systematic review of literature on the antecedents of the INVs internationalization process. Adopting the methodology developed by Denyer and Tranfield (2009), 97 papers covering the period from 1989 to 2018 were identified. Thanks to a thorough analysis of these 97 papers and to a conceptual framework anchored in the resource-based view, authors highlight the differentiated roles of individual, organizational, and environmental antecedents across four distinct phases of the process – pre-internationalization phase, early international entry phase, transition phase, later internationalization phase. This research contributes to the field of international entrepreneurship by highlighting critical antecedents of the INV internationalization process at distinct phases. This represent an important managerial contribution as well as levers that managers and public authorities could use to improve INVs long-term internationalization are hereby identified. Finally, this research offers key avenues for further research in the field of international entrepreneurship.
