Abstract
This study investigates the dynamics of international network activity of entrepreneurial firms within multi-layered interorganizational networks. Interorganizational relationships enable entrepreneurial firms to tap into external resources, identify new business opportunities and are pivotal for their innovativeness and growth. Firm-level network activity, however, is embedded in complex, multi-layered interorganizational networks. This research explores variations in international network activity across different network layers, with a focus on cross-border relationships. Drawing from social structuration theory, we take a dynamic perspective and analyze how network structure and activity in one period affect international network activity in subsequent periods. We analyze a unique dataset covering the network activity of Swedish dedicated biotech firms from 2004–2013, using social network and statistical analyses. The research reported in this paper finds that international network activity differs between the R&D, financial and marketing layers of an interorganizational network and offers critical insights into the nuanced nature of international network activity within multi-layered networks.