Polish subsidiaries in Germany – post-transition country firms’ legitimation strategies

Abstract

Legitimacy in foreign markets, a concept rooted in institutional theory, has traditionally been examined for firms originating from advanced economies. However, it becomes more complex for firms from emerging and post-transition economies. Polish firms began establishing foreign subsidiaries after the accession to the EU, primarily in European markets. In this context, Germany was a key destination for Polish foreign direct investment (FDI). However, scholarly literature about foreign subsidiaries established or acquired by Polish firms is limited. This article presents the analysis of the legitimation strategies employed by post-transition country firms in advanced economies, using Polish subsidiaries in Germany as empirical cases. The empirical context is chosen due to its economic significance and the close linkages between Poland and Germany. With a conceptual framework, the authors synthesise legitimation strategies discussed in scholar literature and highlight some unique challenges for post-transition economy’s firms. The article presents outcomes from a qualitative study, extending the framework and offering some fresh perspectives in the field of international business legitimacy.