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The Performance of MNE Subsidiaries in China: Does It Matter to Be Close to the Political or Business Hub?

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  • Teng, Lefa
  • Huang, Dan
  • Pan, Yigang

Abstract

This study examines the impact of distance on financial performance of multinational enterprise (MNE) subsidiaries in China. We hypothesized and found that MNE subsidiaries performed better when located closer to the country's business hub, but performed less well when located closer to the political hub. We also hypothesized that distance effects are moderated by subsidiary size, subsidiary network, and state capital contribution to subsidiary. Our findings were based upon 45,248 MNE subsidiaries with location and geographic distance measured at the prefectural level in China.

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  • Teng, Lefa & Huang, Dan & Pan, Yigang, 2017. "The Performance of MNE Subsidiaries in China: Does It Matter to Be Close to the Political or Business Hub?," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 23(3), pages 292-305.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:intman:v:23:y:2017:i:3:p:292-305
    DOI: 10.1016/j.intman.2016.12.002
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    2. Thomas Hutzschenreuter & Philippa-Luisa Harhoff, 2020. "National capital city location and subsidiary portfolio expansion: The negative effect of geographic distance to the capital city at inception on the speed of subsequent investments," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 51(7), pages 1107-1132, September.
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    5. Xiaojing Lu & Sebastian Jacques Manuel Boo & Xiaming Liu, 2024. "Is the relationship between institutional distance and subsidiary performance moderated by top management team? Evidence from Chinese multinational enterprises," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 11(1), pages 1-15, December.
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    8. Khanindra Ch. Das & Mantu Kumar Mahalik, 2021. "Assessment of Overseas Subsidiary Survival in Chinese Provinces: A Longitudinal Study of Indian Multinationals," Australian Economic Review, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, vol. 54(2), pages 190-207, June.
    9. Yongfeng Zhang & Peng Wang & Jongwook Kwon, 2021. "CSR in China: Does Being Close to the Central or Local Government Matter?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-12, August.
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