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Accounting for the strengths of MNC subsidiaries: the case of foreign-owned firms in Denmark

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  • Forsgren, Mats
  • Pedersen, Torben
  • Foss, Nicolai J.

Abstract

This paper links up with recent work on the role of subsidiaries in multinational corporations as well as with recent work in the strategy and business network literature. We discuss the sources of organizational strengths of subsidiaries in the larger multinational corporation, and argue that organizational strength can to some extent be proxied by strength in the market place. Based on analysis of data on foreign-owned production firms in Denmark, we test three hypotheses: 1) that internal factors (capabilities, patents....) are positively related to the organizational strengths of MNC subsidiaries, 2) business network factors (network relations) are positively related to the organizational strengths of MNC subsidiaries, and 3) there is an interaction effect between internal factors and business network factors when explaining the organizational strengths of MNC subsidiaries. Hypothesis 1 but not Hypothesis 2 is supported. But the testing also supports Hypothesis 3, that is there seems to be an interaction effect between the two factors.

Suggested Citation

  • Forsgren, Mats & Pedersen, Torben & Foss, Nicolai J., 1999. "Accounting for the strengths of MNC subsidiaries: the case of foreign-owned firms in Denmark," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 8(2), pages 181-196, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:iburev:v:8:y:1999:i:2:p:181-196
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    Cited by:

    1. Yamin, Mo. & Otto, Juliet, 2004. "Patterns of knowledge flows and MNE innovative performance," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 10(2), pages 239-258.
    2. Najafi-Tavani, Zhaleh & Giroud, Axèle & Andersson, Ulf, 2014. "The interplay of networking activities and internal knowledge actions for subsidiary influence within MNCs," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 49(1), pages 122-131.
    3. Buckley, Peter J. & Carter, Martin J., 2002. "Process and structure in knowledge management practices of British and US multinational enterprises," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 8(1), pages 29-48.
    4. Scott-Kennel, Joanna & Enderwick, Peter, 2004. "Inter-firm alliance and network relationships and the eclectic paradigm of international production: an exploratory analysis of quasi-internalisation at the subsidiary level," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 13(4), pages 425-445, August.
    5. Andersson, Ulf & Forsgren, Mats & Pedersen, Torben, 1999. "The Mnc As A Differentiated Network: Subsidiary Technology Embeddedness And Performance," Working Papers 3-1999, Copenhagen Business School, Department of International Economics and Management.
    6. Guest Editors & Ana Teresa Tavares & Stephen Young, 2005. "FDI and multinationals: patterns, impacts and policies," International Journal of the Economics of Business, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 12(1), pages 3-16.
    7. Ignacio Cretini & Marcelo Delfini & Alejandra Quadrana, 2021. "Determinantes de la autonomía local en la gestión del trabajo en empresas multinacionales. El caso de las subsidiarias argentinas," Ensayos de Economía 19346, Universidad Nacional de Colombia Sede Medellín.
    8. Becker-Ritterspach, Florian A.A., 2006. "The social constitution of knowledge integration in MNEs: A theoretical framework," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 12(3), pages 358-377, September.
    9. Foss, Nicolai J. & Pedersen, Torben, 2002. "Transferring knowledge in MNCs: The role of sources of subsidiary knowledge and organizational context," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 8(1), pages 49-67.
    10. Julia Hamprecht & Jan Schwarzkopf, 2014. "Subsidiary Initiatives in the Institutional Environment," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 54(5), pages 757-778, October.
    11. Young, Stephen & Tavares, Ana Teresa, 2004. "Centralization and autonomy: back to the future," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 13(2), pages 215-237, April.
    12. Cavanagh, Andrew & Freeman, Susan & Kalfadellis, Paul & Herbert, Kendall, 2017. "Assigned versus assumed: Towards a contemporary, detailed understanding of subsidiary autonomy," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 26(6), pages 1168-1183.
    13. Matolcsy, Zoltan & Wakefield, James, 2017. "Multinational headquarter control of wholly owned foreign subsidiaries," The British Accounting Review, Elsevier, vol. 49(3), pages 275-293.
    14. Drogendijk, H.J., 2001. "Expansion patterns of Dutch firms in Central and Eastern Europe : Learning to internationalize," Other publications TiSEM 18571cef-0dd0-46ff-82aa-3, Tilburg University, School of Economics and Management.
    15. Andersson, Ulf & Forsgren, Mats & Pedersen, Torben, 2001. "Subsidiary performance in multinational corporations: the importance of technology embeddedness," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 10(1), pages 3-23, February.
    16. Yamin, Mohammad & Forsgren, Mats, 2006. "Hymer's analysis of the multinational organization: Power retention and the demise of the federative MNE," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 15(2), pages 166-179, April.
    17. Tseng, C. -H. & Yu, C-M. J. & Seetoo, D. H. W., 2002. "The relationships between types of network organization and adoption of management mechanisms: an empirical study of knowledge transactions of MNC's subsidiaries in Taiwan," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 11(2), pages 211-230, April.
    18. Francesco Giacobbe & Zoltan Matolcsy & James Wakefield & Tom Smith, 2016. "An investigation of wholly-owned foreign subsidiary control through transaction cost economics theory," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 56(4), pages 1041-1070, December.
    19. Reichstein-Scholz, Harriet & Giroud, Axèle & Yamin, Mo & Andersson, Ulf, 2021. "Sales to centre stage! Determinants of the division in strategic sales decisions within the MNE," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 30(6).

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