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Highly skilled returnees and the internationalization of EMNEs: Firm level evidence from China

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  • Fu, Xialoan
  • Hou, Jun
  • Sanfilippo, Marco

Abstract

This paper examines how Chinese firms acquire knowledge and experience in international markets by attracting returnees using an original firm level survey from Guangdong province. It finds that there is a strong and positive relation between a firm’s choice of hiring returnees and its propensity to embark in FDI. Moreover, it shows that not all returnees contribute equally to firms’ internationalization. It is mainly those individuals in the most strategic functions, such as management and sales to determine both the propensity and the level of overseas direct investment. Finally, it finds that the presence of returnees is particularly effective for less experienced firms since it can help reduce the time taken to build capabilities and provide direct access to the knowledge necessary to invest abroad.

Suggested Citation

  • Fu, Xialoan & Hou, Jun & Sanfilippo, Marco, 2017. "Highly skilled returnees and the internationalization of EMNEs: Firm level evidence from China," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 26(3), pages 579-591.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:iburev:v:26:y:2017:i:3:p:579-591
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ibusrev.2016.11.007
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    2. Tzeng, Cheng-Hua, 2018. "How foreign knowledge spillovers by returnee managers occur at domestic firms: An institutional theory perspective," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 27(3), pages 625-641.
    3. Shao, Jun Jie & Bayraktar, Secil & Al Ariss, Akram, 2022. "Knowledge transfer of Chinese self-initiated repatriates: Exploring the returnee and company perspectives," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 150(C), pages 12-25.
    4. Weili Huang & Guangqi Ma & Xuemeng Chen, 2019. "Does the Level of Environmental Uncertainty Matter in the Effect of Returnee CEO on Innovation? Evidence from Panel Threshold Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(9), pages 1-16, May.
    5. Huiying Zhang & Yikang Liu, 2022. "Do Foreign Direct Investment and Migration Influence the Sustainable Development of Outward Foreign Direct Investment? From the Perspective of Intellectual Property Rights Protection," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-18, April.
    6. Jun Jin & Zhengyi Zhang & Liying Wang, 2019. "From the Host to the Home Country, the International Upgradation of EMNEs in Sustainability Industries—The Case of a Chinese PV Company," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(19), pages 1-19, September.
    7. Dong, Guowei & Kokko, Ari & Zhou, Haoyong, 2022. "Innovation and export performance of emerging market enterprises: The roles of state and foreign ownership in China," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 31(6).
    8. Velásquez, Iris María Cantillo & Vargas, Yamile León, 2022. "Tendencias de investigación en los negocios internacionales," Revista Tendencias, Universidad de Narino, vol. 23(2), pages 273-302, July.
    9. Xiaolan Fu & Liu Shi, 2022. "Direction of innovation in developing countries and its driving forces," WIPO Economic Research Working Papers 69, World Intellectual Property Organization - Economics and Statistics Division.
    10. Fu, Xiaolan & Sun, Zhongjuan & Ghauri, Pervez N., 2018. "Reverse knowledge acquisition in emerging market MNEs: The experiences of Huawei and ZTE," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 93(C), pages 202-215.
    11. Qin Han & Jennifer E Jennings & Runjuan Liu & P Devereaux Jennings, 2019. "Going home and helping out? Returnees as propagators of CSR in an emerging economy," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 50(6), pages 857-872, August.
    12. Zhao, Shasha & Liu, Xiaohui & Andersson, Ulf & Shenkar, Oded, 2022. "Knowledge management of emerging economy multinationals," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 57(1).
    13. Hilka Pelizza Vier Machado & Jörg Freiling, 2023. "Expatriation-enhanced competencies: A multiple case study of technology-based entrepreneurs," Journal of Entrepreneurship, Management and Innovation, Fundacja Upowszechniająca Wiedzę i Naukę "Cognitione", vol. 19(3), pages 7-46.
    14. Zhang, Chao & Guan, Jiancheng, 2021. "Returnee policies in China: Does a strategy of alleviating the financing difficulty of returnee firms promote innovation?," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 164(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    China; Returnees; Foreign direct investment; Internationalization;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F22 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - International Migration
    • F23 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - Multinational Firms; International Business

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