IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/jbrese/v162y2023ics0148296323002436.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Navigating political risk: Protectionism and ownership strategy in cross-border M&As

Author

Listed:
  • Liou, Ru-Shiun
  • Faifman, Leon
  • Ellis, Kimberly

Abstract

Rising protectionism sentiment has led to increased scrutiny of cross-border mergers and acquisitions (CBAs). Informed by the legitimacy-based view, we posit that heightened protectionism in the host countries triggers legitimacy concerns towards foreign firms and presents a political risk that influences foreign acquirers’ ownership strategy in CBAs. Analyzing CBAs in the recent decade, we find that foreign acquirers tend to acquire greater ownership stakes to mitigate the political risk associated with protectionism. Further, bilateral relationships between the host and home countries involved in CBAs regarding economic dependence, political animosity, and social interactions linked to migration have differential moderating effects either easing or intensifying legitimacy concerns.

Suggested Citation

  • Liou, Ru-Shiun & Faifman, Leon & Ellis, Kimberly, 2023. "Navigating political risk: Protectionism and ownership strategy in cross-border M&As," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 162(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jbrese:v:162:y:2023:i:c:s0148296323002436
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jbusres.2023.113885
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0148296323002436
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.jbusres.2023.113885?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. Rabbiosi, Larissa & Gregorič, Aleksandra & Stucchi, Tamara, 2019. "Diaspora Ownership and Homeland Firms' Internationalization," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 25(3), pages 1-1.
    2. Olga Hawn, 2021. "How media coverage of corporate social responsibility and irresponsibility influences cross‐border acquisitions," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 42(1), pages 58-83, January.
    3. Diego Quer & Enrique Claver & Laura Rienda, 2012. "Political risk, cultural distance, and outward foreign direct investment: Empirical evidence from large Chinese firms," Asia Pacific Journal of Management, Springer, vol. 29(4), pages 1089-1104, December.
    4. Heather Berry & Mauro F Guillén & Nan Zhou, 2010. "An institutional approach to cross-national distance," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 41(9), pages 1460-1480, December.
    5. Daphne Yiu & Shige Makino, 2002. "The Choice Between Joint Venture and Wholly Owned Subsidiary: An Institutional Perspective," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 13(6), pages 667-683, December.
    6. Erin Anderson & Hubert Gatignon, 1986. "Modes of Foreign Entry: A Transaction Cost Analysis and Propositions," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 17(3), pages 1-26, September.
    7. Michael A. Bailey & Erik Voeten, 2018. "A two-dimensional analysis of seventy years of United Nations voting," Public Choice, Springer, vol. 176(1), pages 33-55, July.
    8. H. Yoon & Jonathan Peillex & P.J. Buckley, 2021. "Friends or Foes? Bilateral Relationships and Ownership Choice in Cross-Border Acquisitions by Emerging Market Firms," Post-Print hal-03678300, HAL.
    9. Desislava Dikova & Padma Rao Sahib & Arjen van Witteloostuijn, 2010. "Cross-border acquisition abandonment and completion: The effect of institutional differences and organizational learning in the international business service industry, 1981–2001," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 41(2), pages 223-245, February.
    10. Dinesh Hasija & Ru‐Shiun Liou & Alan Ellstrand, 2020. "Navigating the New Normal: Political Affinity and Multinationals’ Post‐Acquisition Performance," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 57(3), pages 569-596, May.
    11. Diego Fossati, 2019. "Embedded diasporas: ethnic prejudice, transnational networks and foreign investment," Review of International Political Economy, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 26(1), pages 134-157, January.
    12. Hongxin Zhao & Chin-Chun Hsu, 2007. "Social ties and foreign market entry: An empirical inquiry," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 47(6), pages 815-844, December.
    13. Simon J Evenett, 2019. "Protectionism, state discrimination, and international business since the onset of the Global Financial Crisis," Journal of International Business Policy, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 2(1), pages 9-36, March.
    14. Jing-Lin Duanmu, 2014. "State-owned MNCs and host country expropriation risk: The role of home state soft power and economic gunboat diplomacy," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 45(8), pages 1044-1060, October.
    15. Very, Philippe & Schweiger, David M., 2001. "The acquisition process as a learning process: Evidence from a study of critical problems and solutions in domestic and cross-border deals," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 36(1), pages 11-31, April.
    16. Palitha Konara & Alexander Mohr, 2019. "Why We Should Stop Using the Kogut and Singh Index," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 59(3), pages 335-354, June.
    17. Xie, En & Reddy, K.S. & Liang, Jie, 2017. "Country-specific determinants of cross-border mergers and acquisitions: A comprehensive review and future research directions," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 52(2), pages 127-183.
    18. Leblang, David, 2010. "Familiarity Breeds Investment: Diaspora Networks and International Investment," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 104(3), pages 584-600, August.
    19. repec:cup:maorev:v:15:y:2019:i:01:p:31-53_00 is not listed on IDEAS
    20. Yadong Luo, 2001. "Toward a Cooperative View of MNC-Host Government Relations: Building Blocks and Performance Implications," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 32(3), pages 401-419, September.
    21. Ilgaz Arikan & Asli M. Arikan & Oded Shenkar, 2020. "Nation‐dyadic history and cross‐border corporate deals: Role of conflict, trade, generational distance, and professional education," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 41(3), pages 422-466, March.
    22. Andrew Delios & Paul W. Beamish, 1999. "Ownership strategy of Japanese firms: transactional, institutional, and experience influences," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 20(10), pages 915-933, October.
    23. Christian Falaster & Manuel Portugal Ferreira & Dan Li, 2021. "The influence of generalized and arbitrary institutional inefficiencies on the ownership decision in cross-border acquisitions," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 52(9), pages 1724-1749, December.
    24. Kedia, Ben L. & Bilgili, Tsvetomira V., 2015. "When history matters: The effect of historical ties on the relationship between institutional distance and shares acquired," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 24(6), pages 921-934.
    25. 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.
    26. Seung-Hyun Lee & Kyeungrae Oh & Lorraine Eden, 2010. "Why Do Firms Bribe?," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 50(6), pages 775-796, December.
    27. Michael A. Witt, 2019. "De-globalization: Theories, predictions, and opportunities for international business research," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 50(7), pages 1053-1077, September.
    28. Meouloud, Tah Ahmed & Mudambi, Ram & Hill, TL, 2019. "The Metropolitan Effect: Colonial Influence on the Internationalization of Francophone African Firms," Management and Organization Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 15(1), pages 31-53, March.
    29. Liou, Ru-Shiun & Chao, Mike Chen-Ho & Yang, Monica, 2016. "Emerging economies and institutional quality: Assessing the differential effects of institutional distances on ownership strategy," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 51(4), pages 600-611.
    30. Kent D Miller, 1992. "A Framework for Integrated Risk Management in International Business," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 23(2), pages 311-331, June.
    31. Shih-Fen S Chen, 2008. "The motives for international acquisitions: capability procurements, strategic considerations, and the role of ownership structures," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 39(3), pages 454-471, April.
    32. Demirbag, Mehmet & Glaister, Keith W. & Tatoglu, Ekrem, 2007. "Institutional and transaction cost influences on MNEs' ownership strategies of their affiliates: Evidence from an emerging market," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 42(4), pages 418-434, December.
    33. Sally Riad & Eero Vaara, 2011. "Varieties of National Metonymy in Media Accounts of International Mergers and Acquisitions," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 48(4), pages 737-771, June.
    34. Zhang, Jianhong & He, Xinming, 2014. "Economic nationalism and foreign acquisition completion: The case of China," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 23(1), pages 212-227.
    35. Fang-Yi Lo & Yu-Ching Chiao & Chwo-Ming Joseph Yu, 2016. "Network and Institutional Effects on SMEs’ Entry Strategies," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 56(4), pages 531-563, August.
    36. Sergio Mariotti, 2022. "A warning from the Russian–Ukrainian war: avoiding a future that rhymes with the past," Economia e Politica Industriale: Journal of Industrial and Business Economics, Springer;Associazione Amici di Economia e Politica Industriale, vol. 49(4), pages 761-782, December.
    37. Zeng, Yuping & Xu, Dean, 2020. "Liability of Foreignness and the Constitutive Legitimation of Foreign Firms in a Host Country," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 55(5).
    38. Malhotra, Shavin & Sivakumar, K. & Zhu, PengCheng, 2011. "Curvilinear relationship between cultural distance and equity participation: An empirical analysis of cross-border acquisitions," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 17(4), pages 316-332.
    39. Eero Vaara & Sally Riad, 2011. "Varieties of national metonymy in media accounts of international mergers and acquisitions," Post-Print hal-02312580, HAL.
    40. Özcan, Gül Berna & Coronado Mondragon, Adrian E. & Harindranath, G., 2018. "Strategic entry and operational integration of emerging market firms: The case of Cemex, Beko and Tata Steel in the UK," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 93(C), pages 242-254.
    41. Charles E. Stevens & En Xie & Mike W. Peng, 2016. "Toward a legitimacy-based view of political risk: The case of Google and Yahoo in China," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 37(5), pages 945-963, May.
    42. Ru-Shiun Liou & Rekha Rao-Nicholson, 2019. "Age Matters: The Contingency of Economic Distance and Economic Freedom in Emerging Market Firm’s Cross-Border M&A Performance," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 59(3), pages 355-386, June.
    43. Murali DR Chari & Kiyoung Chang, 2009. "Determinants of the share of equity sought in cross-border acquisitions," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 40(8), pages 1277-1297, 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. Xie, En & Reddy, K.S. & Liang, Jie, 2017. "Country-specific determinants of cross-border mergers and acquisitions: A comprehensive review and future research directions," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 52(2), pages 127-183.
    2. Rekha Rao-Nicholson & Liudmyla Svystunova, 2020. "Assessing the Role of Host Country Human Rights Protection on Multinational Enterprises’ Choice of Investment Strategy," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 60(2), pages 177-209, April.
    3. Xu, Kai & Hitt, Michael A. & Brock, David & Pisano, Vincenzo & Huang, Lulu S.R., 2021. "Country institutional environments and international strategy: A review and analysis of the research," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 27(1).
    4. Liedong, Tahiru Azaaviele & Peprah, Augustine Awuah & Amartey, Abednego Okoe & Rajwani, Tazeeb, 2020. "Institutional voids and firms' resource commitment in emerging markets: A review and future research agenda," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 26(3).
    5. Lian, Zeng & Ma, Yunfeng & Chen, Li & He, Rong, 2024. "The role of cities in cross-border mergers and acquisitions — Evidence from China," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 92(C), pages 1482-1498.
    6. Gnekpe, Christian & Jimenez, Alfredo, 2023. "Smoke signal: When firms' patent strategy and local patent protection system affect equity stakes in cross-border acquisitions," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 29(6).
    7. Kashif Ahmed & Ralf Bebenroth & Jean-Francois Hennart, 2020. "Formal Institutional Uncertainty and Equity Sought on Foreign Market Entry: Does Industry Matter?," Discussion Paper Series DP2020-03, Research Institute for Economics & Business Administration, Kobe University.
    8. Ramya T. Venkateswaran, 2023. "Is there an illusion of symmetry in cultural distance from Asia–pacific Emnes? the role of business groups in navigating cultural distance through ambidextrous learning," Asia Pacific Journal of Management, Springer, vol. 40(3), pages 1169-1215, September.
    9. Lahiri, Somnath & Elango, B. & Kundu, Sumit K., 2014. "Cross-border acquisition in services: Comparing ownership choice of developed and emerging economy MNEs in India," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 49(3), pages 409-420.
    10. Zhang, Jianhong, 2022. "Liability of emergingness and EMNEs’ cross-border acquisition completion: A legitimacy perspective," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 31(2).
    11. 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).
    12. Yapici, Nilufer & Hudson, Bryant Ashley, 2020. "Generating a Scandal: Non-market Activity to Stop a Cross-Border Merger and Acquisition," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 26(3).
    13. Chenxi Wan & Carlos M. P. Sousa & Jorge Lengler & Qun Tan, 2023. "Entry Mode Choice: A Meta-Analysis of Antecedents and Outcomes," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 63(2), pages 193-246, April.
    14. Han, Xia & Lukoianove, Tatiana & Zhao, Shasha & Liu, Xiaohui, 2024. "International relations in international business research: A review and research agenda," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 174(C).
    15. Vittoria G. Scalera & Debmalya Mukherjee & Lucia Piscitello, 2020. "Ownership strategies in knowledge-intensive cross-border acquisitions: Comparing Chinese and Indian MNEs," Asia Pacific Journal of Management, Springer, vol. 37(1), pages 155-185, March.
    16. Kedia, Ben L. & Bilgili, Tsvetomira V., 2015. "When history matters: The effect of historical ties on the relationship between institutional distance and shares acquired," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 24(6), pages 921-934.
    17. Shyaam Prasadh & M. Thenmozhi & May Hu, 2020. "Does economic freedom distance affect long-run post-acquisition performance and ownership level in cross-border acquisitions?," DECISION: Official Journal of the Indian Institute of Management Calcutta, Springer;Indian Institute of Management Calcutta, vol. 47(2), pages 191-213, June.
    18. Wu, Sihong & Fan, Di, 2023. "Taking two to tango: A comparative nationalism view of cross-border acquisitions," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 32(3).
    19. Demirbag, Mehmet & Tatoglu, Ekrem & Glaister, Keith W., 2009. "Equity-based entry modes of emerging country multinationals: Lessons from Turkey," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 44(4), pages 445-462, October.
    20. Singh, Deeksha & Gaur, Ajai S., 2021. "Risk mitigation strategies in international B2B relationships: Role of institutions and governance," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 136(C), pages 1-9.

    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:jbrese:v:162:y:2023:i:c:s0148296323002436. 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/locate/jbusres .

    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.