Does entrepreneurs' human and relational capital affect early internationalisation? A cross-regional comparison

Using data of young firms from Latin America and Mediterranean Europe, we analyse the influence Of human and relational capital oil the likelihood of creating an early internationalising firm (EIF). Our results indicate that in the context of Latin American countries entrepreneurs' characteristics as well as their networks of relationships may influence decisively the likelihood of creating an EIF. Particularly, our findings indicate that young as well as senior, well-educated entrepreneurs who built entrepreneurial teams and, at the same time, had access to larger and more professional networks constitutes the typical profile of an EIF founder in Latin America. In contrast, the results for the Mediterranean Europe sample reveal that human and relational capital variables are less relevant. The results Of this paper would contribute to the empirical literature analysing evidence from some less studied countries. Likewise, our results could serve as guidelines to those interested in supporting the emergence in EIF, particularly in Latin America.