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The impact of formal and informal institutional distances on MNE corporate social performance

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  • Keig, Dawn L.
  • Brouthers, Lance Eliot
  • Marshall, Victor B.

Abstract

Can host country selection affect the corporate social performance (CSP) of multinational enterprises (MNEs)? Using institutional distance as our theoretical lens, we propose and empirically examine the notion that greater institutional diversity can have disparate influences on the social performance of different types of MNEs. We conceptualize each MNE as a unique portfolio of locations and use that “footprint” to examine the impact of formal and informal institutional distances on CSP. We hypothesize and find (1) a moderating influence of greater formal institutional distance in the MNE portfolio that slows the rate of increased benefits associated with greater international scope; and (2) a direct influence of greater informal institutional distance that lowers the overall levels of CSP independent of the international scope of the MNE. Managerial implications for international location selection are discussed.

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  • Keig, Dawn L. & Brouthers, Lance Eliot & Marshall, Victor B., 2019. "The impact of formal and informal institutional distances on MNE corporate social performance," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 28(5), pages 1-1.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:iburev:v:28:y:2019:i:5:12
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ibusrev.2019.05.004
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    2. Yan, Ziqiao & Li, Wanli & Tang, Xiaobo & Wang, Hua, 2022. "Overseas corporate social responsibility engagement and competitive neutrality of government subsidies: Evidence from multinational enterprises in emerging markets," Journal of International Financial Markets, Institutions and Money, Elsevier, vol. 80(C).
    3. Yang, Na & Zhang, Yuan & Yu, Lu & Wang, Jue & Liu, Xiaming, 2022. "Cross-border mergers and acquisitions, regional cultural diversity and acquirers’ corporate social responsibility: Evidence from China listed companies," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 79(C), pages 565-578.
    4. Victor B Marshall & Lance Eliot Brouthers & Dawn L Keig, 2020. "RIMS: A new approach to measuring firm internationalization," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 51(7), pages 1133-1141, September.
    5. Na Yang & Jue Wang & Xiaming Liu & Lingyun Huang, 2022. "Home-country institutions and corporate social responsibility of emerging economy multinational enterprises: The belt and road initiative as an example," Asia Pacific Journal of Management, Springer, vol. 39(3), pages 927-965, September.
    6. Houldsworth, Elizabeth & Marra, Marianna & Brewster, Chris & Brookes, Michael & Wood, Geoffrey, 2021. "Performance appraisal and MNEs: The impact of different capitalist archetypes," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 30(5).
    7. Jingjing Li & Xianming Wu, 2022. "Technology-Driven Cross-Border M&A, CSR, and Enterprise Innovation Performance—Evidence from China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-32, March.
    8. Yuanyuan Huang & Lu Shen & Chuang Zhang, 2022. "Home-country government support, the belt and road initiative, and the foreign performance of Chinese state-owned subsidiaries," Asia Pacific Journal of Management, Springer, vol. 39(3), pages 1023-1049, September.

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