This study aims to propose an integrating model that can explain firm international competitiveness through the dual lens of network and firm behaviour. The research examines the case of international new ventures (INVs) created during a period of crisis in a sample of 306 Spanish INVs using structural equation modelling. Results show that in today’s highly competitive and dynamic globalised markets, developing strategic orientations (market and entrepreneurial) in a network context helps build an optimal antecedent interfirm environment. This environment channels values generated through joint efforts to strengthen an individual INV’s international performance. Capabilities play an essential mediating role to achieve this effect through the integrated application of dynamic capabilities and ambidexterity theories. Thus, exploratory (adaptation and absorption) capabilities will influence the capacity to exploit knowledge through innovation capability and lead to higher performance. Findings provide practical insights into the hierarchisation of the sources of influence on INVs’ performance.

Diego Monferrer Tirado holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from the Universitat Jaume I in 2004 and Phd in Business Management (Marketing speciality) with mention of Extraordinary Doctoral Award by the same university in 2011. Currently he is Associate Professor in the Area of Marketing of the Department of Business Administration and Marketing of the Universitat Jaume I, exercising his teaching and researching work since 2007.

In terms of research, he has developed several lines of work that include service marketing, service quality, relationship quality, brand management, sustainability, strategic marketing, international entrepreneurship, international marketing, public-private partnerships, and higher education. In 2014 he obtained the Young Researcher Award in the Area of Economic and Business Sciences of the IV edition of the Banco Santander Awards.

He has published 47 articles (29 of them indexed in JCR and/or SJR) in relevant journals such as International Business Review, International Journal of Bank Marketing, Service Industries Journal, Journal of Business Research, Journal of Services Marketing, Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, European Journal of International Management, Journal of International Entrepreneurship, Business Research Quarterly, among others. In addition, he has published 14 books (plus one in which he acts as editor), 14 book chapters and has made around 70 presentations at conferences of international relevance.

In the teaching area, in 2017 he obtained the University Teaching Excellence Award granted by the Social Council of the Universitat Jaume I in its VIII edition.