IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/iburev/v33y2024i3s096959312300152x.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Emerging market multinationals and international investment agreements

Author

Listed:
  • Gómez-Mera, Laura
  • Varela, Gonzalo

Abstract

This study investigates the effects of international investment agreements (IIAs) on the internationalization decisions of emerging market multinationals (EMNEs). Drawing on the POLI advantage framework, we argue that bilateral investment treaties (BITs) add to the political and institutional capabilities of EMNEs, enhancing their OLI advantages in host countries. We identify two mechanisms through which BITs facilitate EMNEs’ internationalization: by offsetting political risk and by mitigating the informational asymmetries and transaction costs associated with investing in unfamiliar destinations. We probe the plausibility of our claims with data from an original survey of firms in four emerging economies and a larger sample of bilateral FDI flows from UNCTAD’s FDI/MNEs database. Our findings show a positive association between BITs and FDI from the South, especially in politically unstable and unfamiliar contexts. Apart from adding to the International Business literature on EMNEs, this study contributes to International Political Economy scholarship on FDI by highlighting the growing relevance of South-South IIAs.

Suggested Citation

  • Gómez-Mera, Laura & Varela, Gonzalo, 2024. "Emerging market multinationals and international investment agreements," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 33(3).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:iburev:v:33:y:2024:i:3:s096959312300152x
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ibusrev.2023.102252
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S096959312300152X
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.ibusrev.2023.102252?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Andrei Panibratov & Olga Garanina & Abdul-Kadir Ameyaw & Amit Anand, 2022. "POLI advantages of state-owned multinationals," International Journal of Emerging Markets, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 19(5), pages 1385-1406, September.
    2. Heavilin, Jason & Songur, Hilmi, 2020. "Institutional distance and Turkey’s outward foreign direct investment," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 54(C).
    3. Peter Williamson & Feng Wan, 2018. "Emerging market multinationals and the concept of ownership advantages," International Journal of Emerging Markets, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 13(3), pages 557-567, July.
    4. Neumayer, Eric & Spess, Laura, 2005. "Do bilateral investment treaties increase foreign direct investment to developing countries?," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 33(10), pages 1567-1585, October.
    5. Eduardo Levy Yeyati & Christian Daude & Ernesto Stein, 2003. "Regional Integration and the Location of FDI," Business School Working Papers doce, Universidad Torcuato Di Tella.
    6. Crescenzi, Riccardo & Di Cataldo, Marco & Giua, Mara, 2021. "FDI inflows in Europe: Does investment promotion work?," Journal of International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 132(C).
    7. Henk L. M. Kox & Hugo Rojas‐Romagosa, 2020. "How trade and investment agreements affect bilateral foreign direct investment: Results from a structural gravity model," The World Economy, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 43(12), December.
    8. Yadong Luo & Rosalie L Tung, 2007. "International expansion of emerging market enterprises: A springboard perspective," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 38(4), pages 481-498, July.
    9. Bhagwat, Vineet & Brogaard, Jonathan & Julio, Brandon, 2021. "A BIT goes a long way: Bilateral investment treaties and cross-border mergers," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 140(2), pages 514-538.
    10. Jay Dixon & Paul Alexander Haslam, 2016. "Does the Quality of Investment Protection Affect FDI Flows to Developing Countries? Evidence from Latin America," The World Economy, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 39(8), pages 1080-1108, August.
    11. Matthias Busse & Jens Königer & Peter Nunnenkamp, 2010. "FDI promotion through bilateral investment treaties: more than a bit?," Review of World Economics (Weltwirtschaftliches Archiv), Springer;Institut für Weltwirtschaft (Kiel Institute for the World Economy), vol. 146(1), pages 147-177, April.
    12. Tim Büthe & Helen V. Milner, 2008. "The Politics of Foreign Direct Investment into Developing Countries: Increasing FDI through International Trade Agreements?," American Journal of Political Science, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 52(4), pages 741-762, October.
    13. Dikova, Desislava & Panibratov, Andrei & Veselova, Anna, 2019. "Investment motives, ownership advantages and institutional distance: An examination of Russian cross-border acquisitions," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 28(4), pages 625-637.
    14. Buckley, Peter J & Cui, Lin & Chen, Liang & Li, Yi & Choi, Yoona, 2023. "Following their predecessors’ journey? A review of EMNE studies and avenues for interdisciplinary inquiry," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 58(2).
    15. Jean-François Hennart, 2018. "Springing from where? How emerging market firms become multinational enterprises," International Journal of Emerging Markets, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 13(3), pages 568-585, July.
    16. Snidal, Duncan, 1985. "Coordination versus Prisoners' Dilemma: Implications for International Cooperation and Regimes," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 79(4), pages 923-942, December.
    17. Mary Hallward-Driemeier, 2003. "Do bilateral investment treaties attract foreign direct investment? Only a bit - and they could bite," Policy Research Working Paper Series 3121, The World Bank.
    18. Peter Gammeltoft & Jaya Prakash Pradhan & Andrea Goldstein, 2010. "Emerging multinationals: home and host country determinants and outcomes," International Journal of Emerging Markets, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 5(3/4), pages 254-265, July.
    19. Frank Stähler, 2023. "An optimal investor-state dispute settlement mechanism," Journal of Economics, Springer, vol. 138(1), pages 1-16, January.
    20. Dimitrova, Anna & Triki, Dora & Valentino, Alfredo, 2022. "The effects of business- and non-business-targeting terrorism on FDI to the MENA region: The moderating role of political regime," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 31(6).
    21. Tang, Ryan W., 2021. "Pro-market institutions and outward FDI of emerging market firms: An institutional arbitrage logic," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 30(3).
    22. Ballor, Grace A. & Yildirim, Aydin B., 2020. "Multinational Corporations and the Politics of International Trade in Multidisciplinary Perspective," Business and Politics, Cambridge University Press, vol. 22(4), pages 573-586, December.
    23. Kaufmann, Daniel & Kraay, Aart & Mastruzzi, Massimo, 2007. "The worldwide governance indicators project : answering the critics," Policy Research Working Paper Series 4149, The World Bank.
    24. Peter Egger & Alain Pirotte & Catharine Titi, 2023. "International investment agreements and foreign direct investment: A survey," The World Economy, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 46(6), pages 1524-1565, June.
    25. Tuuli-Anna Huikuri, 2023. "Constraints and incentives in the investment regime: How bargaining power shapes BIT reform," The Review of International Organizations, Springer, vol. 18(2), pages 361-391, April.
    26. Andrei Panibratov & Snejina Michailova, 2019. "The role of state ownership and home government political support in Russian multinationals’ internationalization," International Journal of Emerging Markets, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 14(3), pages 436-450, February.
    27. Cuervo-Cazurra, Alvaro & Li, Cheng, 2021. "State ownership and internationalization: The advantage and disadvantage of stateness," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 56(1).
    28. Luiz, John M. & Barnard, Helena, 2022. "Home country (in)stability and the locational portfolio construction of emerging market multinational enterprises," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 151(C), pages 17-32.
    29. Hong Zhu & Qi Zhu & Zhiwen Ding, 2020. "The Roles of Chinese CEOs in Managing Individualistic Cultures in Cross‐border Mergers and Acquisitions," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 57(3), pages 664-697, May.
    30. Yang, Jie & Mohammad, Shoeb, 2023. "Is the cure worse than the disease? The effect of emerging market MNEs on host country corruption," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 32(3).
    31. John H Dunning, 1980. "Towards an Eclectic Theory of International Production: Some Empirical Tests," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 11(1), pages 9-31, March.
    32. Yadong Luo & Rosalie L Tung, 2018. "A general theory of springboard MNEs," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 49(2), pages 129-152, February.
    33. Michael Frenkel & Benedikt Walter, 2019. "Do bilateral investment treaties attract foreign direct investment? The role of international dispute settlement provisions," The World Economy, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 42(5), pages 1316-1342, May.
    34. Thompson, Alexander & Broude, Tomer & Haftel, Yoram Z., 2019. "Once Bitten, Twice Shy? Investment Disputes, State Sovereignty, and Change in Treaty Design," International Organization, Cambridge University Press, vol. 73(4), pages 859-880, October.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Gopalan, Sasidaran & Park, Cyn-Young & Rajan, Ramkishen S., 2023. "Do International Investment Agreements attract Foreign Direct Investment inflows? Revisiting the literature," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 80(C), pages 471-481.
    2. Li, Shi & Urata, Shujiro & Zhao, Long, 2024. "Does the quality of bilateral investment treaties matter for outward foreign direct investment?," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 91(C), pages 207-218.
    3. Eichler, Stefan & Nauerth, Jannik A., 2024. "Bilateral investment treaties and portfolio investment," CEPIE Working Papers 01/24, Technische Universität Dresden, Center of Public and International Economics (CEPIE).
    4. Eichler, Stefan & Nauerth, Jannik André, 2024. "Bilateral investment treaties and portfolio investment," Journal of International Financial Markets, Institutions and Money, Elsevier, vol. 91(C).
    5. Huang, Dongdong & Tsui-Auch, Lai Si & Dieleman, Marleen & Gomulya, David, 2024. "Politically connected EMNCs in a (de)globalising world: A review and future research directions," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 33(3).
    6. Buckley, Peter J & Cui, Lin & Chen, Liang & Li, Yi & Choi, Yoona, 2023. "Following their predecessors’ journey? A review of EMNE studies and avenues for interdisciplinary inquiry," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 58(2).
    7. Josef C. Brada & Zdenek Drabek & Ichiro Iwasaki, 2021. "Does Investor Protection Increase Foreign Direct Investment? A Meta‐Analysis," Journal of Economic Surveys, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 35(1), pages 34-70, February.
    8. Ronaldo Parente & Ke Rong & José-Mauricio G. Geleilate & Everlyne Misati, 2019. "Adapting and sustaining operations in weak institutional environments: A business ecosystem assessment of a Chinese MNE in Central Africa," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 50(2), pages 275-291, March.
    9. Marta Bengoa & Blanca Sanchez-Robles & Yochanan Shachmurove, 2020. "Do Trade and Investment Agreements Promote Foreign Direct Investment within Latin America? Evidence from a Structural Gravity Model," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 8(11), pages 1-32, October.
    10. Simon Hartmann & Rok Spruk, 2023. "The impact of unilateral BIT terminations on FDI: Quasi-experimental evidence from India," The Review of International Organizations, Springer, vol. 18(2), pages 259-296, April.
    11. Andrei Panibratov & Daria Klishevich, 2023. "Emerging market state-owned multinationals: a review and implications for the state capitalism debate," Asian Business & Management, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 22(1), pages 84-117, February.
    12. Xie, En & Li, Fanshu & Wu, Zhan & Kumar, Vikas, 2024. "State ownership and Chinese private firms’ OFDI in developed economies," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 59(3).
    13. Gammeltoft, Peter & Cuervo-Cazurra, Alvaro, 2021. "Enriching internationalization process theory: insights from the study of emerging market multinationals," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 27(3).
    14. Wen Yue & Qingxia Lin & Siyu Xu, 2023. "Investment effect of regional trade agreements: an analysis from the perspective of heterogeneous agreement provisions," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 10(1), pages 1-13, December.
    15. Makram El-Shagi & Bashir Muhammad, 2024. "Institutional Similarity and Bilateral FDI," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 15(1), pages 4605-4638, March.
    16. Yang, Yi & Rhee, Mooweon & Suhk Pak, Yong, 2024. "With or without metamorphosis of learning Orientation: Post-Cross-Border mergers and acquisitions performance of emerging multinational enterprises," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 182(C).
    17. Xiong, Tingting, 2022. "The Effect of Bilateral Investment Treaties (BITs) on the extensive and intensive margins of exports," The Quarterly Review of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 84(C), pages 68-79.
    18. Soo Yeon Kim, 2021. "Investment commitments in PTAs and MNCS in partner countries," Economics and Politics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 33(3), pages 415-442, November.
    19. Shujiro Urata & Youngmin Baek, 2023. "Impact of International Investment Agreements on Japanese FDI: A firm‐level analysis," The World Economy, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 46(8), pages 2306-2334, August.
    20. Axel Berger & Matthias Busse & Peter Nunnenkamp & Martin Roy, 2013. "Do trade and investment agreements lead to more FDI? Accounting for key provisions inside the black box," International Economics and Economic Policy, Springer, vol. 10(2), pages 247-275, June.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:iburev:v:33:y:2024:i:3:s096959312300152x. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/133/description#description .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.