Establishment Mode Choice Research Articles

The establishment mode of Chinese MNEs abroad and the Belt and Road Initiative: insights from a strategy tripod perspective

PurposeEmerging-market multinational enterprises (MNEs) have pushed institutional factors to the cutting-edge of international business research. As for Chinese MNEs, the importance of institutions has been strengthened since the Chinese government launched the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which seeks to promote a comprehensive platform for cooperation among countries. This study aims to investigate the role played by the BRI as an institutional factor moderating the influence of other institution-, industry- and firm-specific factors on establishment mode choice by Chinese MNEs.Design/methodology/approachDrawing on the strategy tripod, a perspective claiming that a firm's strategies are the result of internal, industrial and institutional conditions, this study develops a number of hypotheses that are tested with data on 1,076 outward foreign direct investments (OFDIs) of Chinese MNEs between 2013 and 2021.FindingsThe results show that the BRI moderates the influence of both the firm's prior international acquisition experience and Chinese government's OFDI restrictions on the establishment by means of an acquisition. They also report that this moderating effect does not apply for acquisition experience in the host country nor institutional distance.Originality/valueThis study contributes to reinforce the importance of institutions as the third leg of a strategy tripod when explaining international behavior of Chinese MNEs. It also suggests that the BRI is a diplomatic tool that may act as a substitute for the firm's resources and may mitigate the negative influence of other external factors.

Outward FDI and Domestic Employment Growth: A Penrosean Coordination Challenges Framework

Research to date has only rarely studied firm-specific reasons that influence how multinational enterprises grow employment in their home country after they make a foreign direct investment (FDI). We apply a Penrosean perspective to understand post-investment coordination challenges and develop novel theory about the domestic employment effects of the FDI’s relative size. Specifically, we argue that MNEs’ home-country employment growth is greater for relatively larger projects because of constraints in human resources who can attend to an increased amount of coordination challenges. Further, we suggest that MNEs’ establishment-mode choice, their regional orientation, and their degree of state ownership co-shape that relationship. We find support for our hypotheses analyzing 409 projects by MNEs from 13 countries.

Distance factors and establishment mode choice of emerging‐market multinationals: The moderating effect of administrative distance

AbstractRegulations, governance quality, and political structure are important factors that may alter the cost and difficulties associated with doing business in foreign markets. Emerging‐market multinationals (EMNEs), with an imperative motivation to go abroad and to be competitive in a global landscape, should consider the impact of administrative distance, namely, the regulatory institutional differences between home and host countries. We suggest that the study of administrative distance is particularly important when addressing investment flows from emerging economies to developed ones, because of the differences between them. Drawing on transaction cost theory and institutional perspective, we analyze the moderating effect of administrative distance on the relationship between other cross‐national distance factors—cultural, geographic and economic—and establishment mode choice of EMNEs. From a sample of 357 outward foreign direct investments carried out by Indian firms, our results show that administrative distance moderates the relationship between cultural, geographic and economic distance, and establishment mode decisions.

MNE host-country alliance network position and post-entry establishment mode choice

Prior international business research recognizes that networks can affect internationalization decisions, yet our understanding of how networks in the host country do so, especially with respect to establishment mode choices between greenfield and acquisition, remains nascent. Host-country networks become particularly salient after initial entry as the multinational enterprise (MNE) more directly engages with local actors and develops embeddedness in the host country. We draw from network theory to argue that establishment modes of post-entry foreign direct investments into a host country are shaped by the MNE’s position within local alliance networks. We posit that local network centrality increases the likelihood of choosing greenfield because it provides access to broad knowledge flows and higher social status that reduce the MNE’s need to pursue acquisitions of local firms. Conversely, local network brokerage increases opportunities for knowledge recombination, making greenfield a less likely choice vis-a-vis acquisition. Using data on automotive MNEs entering the U.S. over 22 years, we find support for our predictions. Demonstrating that distinct aspects of the MNE’s local network alliance position can operate in different ways to effectuate establishment mode choices, this study advances a more nuanced understanding of how networks shape internationalization into a host country.

Greenfield or M&A? An institutional and learning perspective on the establishment mode choice of Chinese outward investments

Abstract We develop and test a model of Chinese greenfield investments using institutional and learning theories. Both the host country institutional context and the firm's international characteristics affect the establishment mode. Using 152 Chinese emerging market multinationals (EMNEs) with 401 subsidiaries distributed in 26 countries from 2003 to 2013, we build a database of 284 pairs of host country/Chinese firms to test two hypotheses. We find that, first, governance environment affects the establishment mode: greenfield investments are preferred over acquisitions in relation-based host markets, and M&As are preferred in rule-based countries. Second, the depth of Chinese EMNEs' international experience (i.e. the amount of previous investments in the same host market) moderates the effect of the governance environment on the establishment mode. Firms with greater international depth use more M&As in relation-based markets and more greenfield investments in rule-based markets, suggesting that previous investments in the same host country provide a type of learning that reduces acquisition uncertainty in the former case and increases the self-confidence of Chinese EMNEs in the latter.

Establishment mode choice of Finnish SMEs in Estonia: a case study approach

In this article, we reveal how and why firm level and institutional distance influence the entry mode choice of Finnish SMEs in Estonia. This paper investigates the impact of firm characteristics and institutional distance on establishment mode choice decision of Finnish SMEs in Estonia. We use case study approach based on in-depth interviews with decision makers of SMEs operating in Estonia and follow-up interviews in order to deepen results of the first research stage. The results shows that formal institutional factors combined with firm level factors affect the decision of establishment mode choice in Estonia, while informal institutions have not had significant effect on choice between greenfield vs. acquisition in case of Finnish SMEs. Overall, our study contributes to a more nuanced view of choice of foreign market entry mode of SMEs and highlights future research opportunities that exist for considering strategy imitation and its implications in international business research.

FDI drivers and establishment mode choice of emerging-market MNEs: the role of state ownership

Drawing on an institutional perspective, this study analyses how state ownership affects the relationship between foreign direct investment (FDI) drivers and establishment mode choice of emerging-market multinational enterprises (EMNEs). We argue that state-owned EMNEs encounter stronger institutional pressures in technology- and natural resource-rich countries derived from concerns about takeovers of local companies. Moreover, in low-growth markets, state-owned EMNEs do not always behave as pure profit-maximisers since they are usually subject to home government institutional influences and pursue policy goals. For these reasons, we hypothesise that their choice between acquisitions and greenfield investments differs from that of privately-owned EMNEs. Our analysis of 643 FDIs undertaken by Chinese companies confirms that state-owned EMNEs are less likely to choose acquisitions in host countries with a higher technology and natural resource endowment. However, the relationship between host market growth and establishment mode is not influenced by state ownership.

Establishment mode choice by Chinese firms in Latin America: The role of host country‐specific experience and government official visits

AbstractThis study addresses establishment mode decisions by emerging‐market multinational enterprises entering other emerging economies. More precisely, we examine the influence of prior host country experience and home government official visits on the choice between the acquisition of a local company and the creation of a new subsidiary from scratch. By analyzing 315 investments carried out by Chinese firms in Latin America, we obtain that they are more likely to enter through an acquisition when they have established prior subsidiaries in the host country. Moreover, recent Chinese government official visits contribute to mitigate the difficulties of an acquisition for those companies with less local experience.

Limiting Factors of Foreign Direct Investment Undertaken By Polish Enterprises

Limiting factors of foreign direct investment are of great significance for managers, governments, and scholars as they directly influence the profitability of a foreign subsidiary and a parent multinational company. The aim of the paper is to identify FDI limiting factors of host country location choices among Polish enterprises and differences in the perception of the factors depending on the establishment mode choice, i.e. whether it is through greenfield investments or acquisitions. The paper presents results of a field surveyed carried out in 2012–2013 among Polish companies. The research results revealed that regardless of the establishment mode choice, investors from Poland perceived market-related limiting factors as significant. The empirical findings also proved that there were no significant differences in the perception of the importance of FDI limiting factors, between investors who undertook acquisitions and those who decided to make greenfield investments. However, single cases of differences were identified at the level of the policy framework-related factors.

Foreign direct investment drivers and establishment mode choice of emerging-market MNEs: the role of state ownership

Drawing on an institutional perspective, this study analyses how state ownership affects the relationship between foreign direct investment (FDI) drivers and establishment mode choice of emerging-market multinational enterprises (EMNEs). We argue that state-owned EMNEs encounter stronger institutional pressures in technology- and natural resource-rich countries derived from concerns about takeovers of local companies. Moreover, in low-growth markets, state-owned EMNEs do not always behave as pure profit-maximisers since they are usually subject to home government institutional influences and pursue policy goals. For these reasons, we hypothesise that their choice between acquisitions and greenfield investments differs from that of privately-owned EMNEs. Our analysis of 643 FDIs undertaken by Chinese companies confirms that state-owned EMNEs are less likely to choose acquisitions in host countries with a higher technology and natural resource endowment. However, the relationship between host market growth and establishment mode is not influenced by state ownership.

Greenfield investments or acquisitions? The influence of distance on emerging-market multinationals

PurposeIn recent years, emerging-market multinationals (EMMs) are receiving significant attention in the international business literature. They represent a challenge for the conventional wisdom, mainly derived from the behavior of developed-country multinationals (MNEs). The purpose of this paper is to analyze how different cross-national distances, namely cultural, administrative, geographic and economic, may affect establishment mode choice by Indian MNEs.Design/methodology/approachData are collected from 328 outward foreign direct investments carried out by Indian MNEs in 73 countries from 1991 to 2014. A binomial logistic regression analysis is used to test the hypotheses.FindingsThe results show that cultural and administrative distances negatively affect the choice of an acquisition. Moreover, firm size, acquisition experience, host country experience, industry, belonging to the G20 alliance and being a state-owned enterprise also influence establishment mode choice.Originality/valueThis is one of the first studies that investigate the relationship between distances and establishment mode choice by Indian MNEs. The findings suggest that they follow a different behavioral pattern among EMMs, since their internationalization decisions are closer to those of developed-country MNEs.

Foreign Direct Investment Determinants among Polish Companies: Greenfield Investments vs. Acquisitions

Purpose of the article: The purpose of this article is to identify FDI determinants that drive investment among Polish companies depending on their establishment mode choice (greenfield investment vs acquisition). Methodology/methods: Article presents selected results of these authors’ own research conducted as part of Research Project No. N N112 322338 entitled “Investment Activity of Polish Enterprises Abroad – Factors and Effects”, financed by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education. 64 companies (out of 622), which implemented a total of 279 FDI, participated in this research. The majority of these investors (57%) decided to invest their capital abroad in the form of greenfield-investments, nearly 21% only made acquisitions, and 22% undertook both greenfield-investment and acquisitions. Scientific aim: Increase in knowledge. Findings: Market-seeking determinants were the most important factors in the Polish direct investors’ decision making process on investing abroad, regardless of the establishment mode choice (greenfield investments vs. acquisitions). Within this group of determinants, Polish investors have most frequently indicated “new market” as the most important factor. Conclusions: The study points to the fact that market-seeking factors explain most of the FDI undertaken by Polish firms. Resource seeking and efficiency seeking factors, falling in the category of economic factors, turned out to be of less importance for investors from Poland. Nevertheless, there were more significant differences in responses from the two groups of Polish investors among resource seeking factors.

Greenfield or Acquisition Entry? An Impact of Foreign Direct Investment on the Competitiveness of Polish Investors

Objective : The purpose of this article is to determine the impact of Polish FDI companies on their competitiveness, depending on their establishment mode choice in the host country (greenfield investment vs. acquisition). Research Design & Methods : The study used a direct interview method. The results were analysed using impact indicators (w) calculated as the arithmetic mean of numerical values assigned to each response as well as Fisher’s exact test. Statistical calculations were performed using the IBM SPSS Statistics software version 21.0.0.1. Findings: The impact of FDI on investor competitiveness in relation to the main competitors operating on the home market and on foreign markets depends on FDI entry mode (greenfield investment vs. acquisition), among other things. Implications & Recommendations: The results of this study may be the starting point for further research on the impact of FDI on competitiveness, particularly through foreign acquisitions. It should be assumed that as Polish companies gain experience on the international stage, this mode of entry will be chosen by investors more frequently. Contribution & Value Added: The uniqueness of the following study is in the presentation of the results of original empirical research, which demonstrate the relationship between the foreign establishment mode choice (greenfield investment vs. acquisition) and the competitiveness of investing companies. Ex post evaluations were taken into account while forming the conclusions.

Institutional distance, establishment mode choice and international experience: the case of Indian MNCs

PurposeFocusing on the growing importance of Indian multinational corporations in the past decades, this paper aims to understand how establishment mode decisions in a foreign market can differ depending on a series of factors. Specifically, the authors examine how institutional distance, including cultural distance and political risk, could affect these decisions, and how international acquisition experience could moderate this relationship.Design/methodology/approachThe authors test their hypotheses using data from 114 outward foreign direct investments between 2000 and 2010.FindingsThe findings suggest that experience in international acquisitions increases the likelihood of subsequent acquisitions in high-risk and culturally distant countries.Originality/valueBy considering that the country of origin also matters, some differences among emerging-market multinational corporations (MNCs) may arise. Besides, since empirical research focusing on emerging-market MNCs is scarce, more empirical studies are needed to analyze the influence of cultural distance and political risk on some decisions. In the case of India, there are also additional motivations for analyzing those institutional factors. First, since this is a country with significant linkages to Western countries, it is interesting to know if the influence of cultural distance is similar or not. Second, there is a lack of empirical evidence on the relationship between political risk and establishment mode choice in the case of Indian MNCs. To fill this gap, the first aim of this paper is to analyze how cultural distance and political risk affect the establishment mode choice of Indian MNCs. Moreover, recognizing international experience to be an important factor in explaining international expansion, we focus on international experience interactions with sources of uncertainty inherent in the host market.

Chinese multinationals in Spain: Determinants of establishment mode choice

Since the beginning of the 21st century, Chinese multinational enterprises (MNEs) are emerging as major global players. Some of them have carried out significant foreign direct investments (FDIs) in developed countries. The main objective of these outward FDIs is to access strategic assets like internationally recognised brands or technological and managerial know-how. As a result, Chinese MNEs are receiving increasing attention in the international management literature. The study of these emerging-market MNEs has generated an interesting epistemological debate among researchers on the applicability of traditional theoretical frameworks. The main question is whether conventional arguments originated in MNEs coming from developed-countries are still valid in the case of developing-country MNEs. While some scholars argue that the analysis of emerging-market MNEs requires new theory, others argue that no new theory is required. Drawing on the transaction cost theory, this paper aims to contribute to this debate by analysing the determining factors of establishment mode choice by Chinese MNEs, namely the choice between acquisition and greenfield investment. From a sample of 88 Spanish subsidiaries of Chinese companies, results show that strategic asset-seeking and a lower growth rate of the Spanish economy are associated with a greater preference for acquisitions. However, industry’s technological intensity turned out to be not significant.

Which Resources Matter How and Where? A Meta‐Analysis on Firms’ Foreign Establishment Mode Choice

ABSTRACTFirm resources play an important role in explaining the foreign establishment mode choice. However, a theoretical framework that simultaneously a) differentiates between heterogeneous types of resources, b) provides a rationale that consistently explains how firms adapt their establishment mode choice to their resource base, and c) reflects on contextual factors that intervene in the consistency of the direct relationships is largely missing. The present paper draws on the resource‐based view (RBV) to develop such a framework. More specifically, we study the effect of knowledge‐based and experience‐based resources on a firm's establishment mode choice and the moderating impact of cultural distance on these relationships. We validate our theoretical framework by a meta‐analysis (integrating 31 studies with 13,559 establishment mode choices) and find that knowledge‐based resources enhance a firm's propensity for greenfield investments, while experience‐based resources more likely lead to acquisitions. Further, cultural distance increases knowledge‐intensive firms’ preference for greenfield investments.

Family involvement and firms’ establishment mode choice in foreign markets

Abstract Extant literature on foreign entry increasingly recognizes firms’ heterogeneity as a potential reason for inconsistency in results on the establishment mode choice, that is, whether and under which conditions firms should choose to enter a new country through a greenfield investment or an acquisition. Our study contributes to this debate by identifying family ownership and family involvement in management as potential powerful sources of such heterogeneity. Integrating international business studies with both corporate finance literature on family firms and recent contributions from the Socio Emotional Wealth perspective on family ownership, we claim that, due to greater risk aversion and lower access to information, the family involvement both in the firm ownership and management leads to a higher propensity towards greenfield initiatives (vs acquisitions). However, we also find that such a propensity decreases with international experience especially in family-owned firms given the greater ability of professionalized management to overcome family-related concerns on making acquisitions. Our analysis on 1045 foreign initiatives undertaken by 311 Italian family and non-family firms between 2003 and 2013 confirms our expectations, indicating family ownership as a significant driver of firms’ international strategies.

Determinants of FDI establishment mode choice of Polish firms. The OLI paradigm perspective

Determinants of FDI establishment mode choice of Polish firms. The OLI paradigm perspective

Erratum to: International Establishment Mode Choice: Past, Present and Future

Erratum to: International Establishment Mode Choice: Past, Present and Future

Understanding establishment mode choice of foreign manufacturing firms in Ghana

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to analyse the foreign direct investment (FDI) strategies of manufacturing firms in Ghana using the eclectic model in order to understand how ownership, location and internalization factors impact FDI to developing countries like Ghana. Design/methodology/approach – The authors use a quantitative methodology in order to statistically explore the relationships between dependent and independent variables. The data comes from a sample of 75 multinational enterprises that invested in the manufacturing sector between 1994 and 2008. Findings – The results reveal that large firm size, extensive international experience and large market size lead to the choice of acquisition mode of entry, while high cultural distance, high country risk, high proprietary assets and incentives lead to the choice of greenfield mode in the context of Ghana. Research limitations/implications – The results imply that the different economic, business and legal (locational) conditions of developing countries create different FDI strategies and paths of companies compared to developed markets. Practical implications – Policy makers in developing countries should make efforts to improve market size, the institutional and regulatory environment, as well as the availability of human capital in order to attract FDI. Originality/value – FDI studies have mainly analysed establishment mode strategies of firms in advanced markets. There is an increasing amount of research on FDI in emerging markets but very little on developing countries and African markets. Therefore, this study enables the authors to develop implications for existing theory and generate practical implications for firms and policy makers related to African and developing country markets.