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MNE liability of foreignness versus local firm-specific advantages: The case of the Chinese management software industry

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  • Wan, Feng
  • Williamson, Peter
  • Pandit, Naresh R.

Abstract

The theory of the multinational enterprise (MNE) suggests that the subsidiaries of MNEs possess firm-specific advantages (FSAs) that can overcome their liability of foreignness (LOF). It also suggests that subsidiaries can gradually decrease their LOF over time as they learn more about the host country environment and develop better connections to local business networks. Accordingly, subsidiaries should outperform local firms not only at point of entry but also (and increasingly so) in the long run as LOF decreases. This paper challenges this received wisdom by using case-study methodology to argue that LOF may not decrease over time and, meanwhile, the FSA gap between local firms and subsidiaries may narrow. We focus on two types of FSAs (asset and transaction ownership) and three sources of LOF (complexity, uncertainty, and discrimination) to develop a theoretical framework for analysing the dynamic relationships between LOF and FSAs and show how local firms can outperform foreign subsidiaries over time. We use the case of the Chinese management software industry to illustrate the framework. Our findings have important implications for MNEs competing abroad as well as helping to explain the emergence of strong competition from local firms.

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  • Wan, Feng & Williamson, Peter & Pandit, Naresh R., 2020. "MNE liability of foreignness versus local firm-specific advantages: The case of the Chinese management software industry," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 29(1).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:iburev:v:29:y:2020:i:1:s0969593119300514
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ibusrev.2019.101623
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    4. Klaus E. Meyer & Chengguang Li & Andreas P. J. Schotter, 2020. "Managing the MNE subsidiary: Advancing a multi-level and dynamic research agenda," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 51(4), pages 538-576, June.
    5. Klaus E. Meyer & Chengguang Li & Andreas P. J. Schotter, 0. "Managing the MNE subsidiary: Advancing a multi-level and dynamic research agenda," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 0, pages 1-39.
    6. Patel, Parth & Bhanugopan, Ramudu & Sinha, Paresha & Prikshat, Verma & Boyle, Brendan, 2024. "Home country and firm-specific advantage influences on HRM replication versus adaptation in EMNEs operating in advanced economies: A qualitative comparative analysis," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 170(C).
    7. Sato, Akiko & Panibratov, Andrei, 2023. "Causal mechanisms of COVID-19 disruptive effects on liability of foreignness and the emergence of new firm-specific advantages," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 32(4).
    8. Röell, Christiaan & Osabutey, Ellis & Rodgers, Peter & Arndt, Felix & Khan, Zaheer & Tarba, Shlomo, 2022. "Managing socio-political risk at the subnational level: Lessons from MNE subsidiaries in Indonesia," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 57(3).
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    10. Alvaro Cuervo-Cazurra & C. Annique Un, 2023. "Beauty in the Eyes of the Beholders: How Government- and Consumer-Based Country-of-Origin Advantages and Disadvantages Drive Host Country Investment Dynamics," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 63(2), pages 285-312, April.
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    12. Pedro Silva & António Carrizo Moreira, 2021. "Foreign and multinational ownership impact on firm exit: A sectoral analysis," Managerial and Decision Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 42(6), pages 1550-1563, September.

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