International expansion of telecommunication carriers: The influence of market structure, network characteristics, and entry imperfections

This paper examines the internationalization process of telecommunication c arriers. In this industry, early entrants gain substantial first-mover adva ntages due to the transient nature of the windows of market opportunity, an d the potential to influence the regulatory process as an incumbent. To cap ture these strategic and economic advantages, firms follow a strategy of pr eemption, both of markets and partners. The authors argue for the need to a ugment prevailing theory with contextual idiosyncrasies that characterize s pecific industries.