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Flexibility versus commitment: MNEs’ ownership strategy in China

Author

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  • Jing Li

    (Faculty of Business Administration, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, Canada)

  • Yong Li

    (School of Management, State University of New York at Buffalo, Amherst, USA)

Abstract

We investigate the following important questions in international business. How do multinational enterprises (MNEs) choose ownership strategies when facing strong uncertainty in foreign market entries? How are the choices affected by industry contingencies? Following the key tenets of real options theory, we propose that, under a high level of market uncertainty, MNEs choose more flexible (rather than more committed) ownership strategies that allow adjustment of investment decisions in future. We further suggest that using flexible strategies in response to uncertainty becomes less valuable for MNEs when the industry they enter in the host country enjoys strong sales growth potential, requires less irreversible investments, and has intense competition. Empirically, we analyze the ownership strategies (ownership structure and equity share) of over 5000 new foreign investments in manufacturing industries in China during 2000–2006. We find qualified support for our hypotheses, and discuss the industry boundary conditions of adopting flexible ownership strategies in foreign market entries.

Suggested Citation

  • Jing Li & Yong Li, 2010. "Flexibility versus commitment: MNEs’ ownership strategy in China," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 41(9), pages 1550-1571, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:pal:jintbs:v:41:y:2010:i:9:p:1550-1571
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Chikhouni, Abdulrahman & Edwards, Gwyneth & Farashahi, Mehdi, 2017. "Psychic distance and ownership in acquisitions: Direction matters," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 23(1), pages 32-42.
    2. Yadong Luo & Huan Zhang & Juan Bu, 2019. "Developed country MNEs investing in developing economies: Progress and prospect," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 50(4), pages 633-667, June.
    3. Christine M. Chan & Jialin Du, 2021. "The dynamic process of pro-market reforms and foreign affiliate performance: When to seek local, subnational, or global help?," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 52(9), pages 1854-1870, December.
    4. Megan Min Zhang & Paul W. Beamish, 2019. "An institutional response model to economic liberalization: Japanese MNEs’ ownership choices in China," Asia Pacific Journal of Management, Springer, vol. 36(1), pages 33-59, March.
    5. Rui Xue & Gongming Qian & Zhengming Qian & Lee Li, 2021. "Entrepreneurs’ Implicit and Explicit Achievement Motives and Their Early International Commitment," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 61(1), pages 91-121, March.
    6. Song, Sangcheol, 2014. "Unfavorable Market Conditions, Institutional and Financial Development, and Exits of Foreign Subsidiaries," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 20(3), pages 279-289.
    7. de Leeuw, Tim & Gilsing, Victor & Duysters, Geert, 2019. "Greater adaptivity or greater control? Adaptation of IOR portfolios in response to technological change," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 48(6), pages 1586-1600.
    8. Jiang, Marshall S. & Branzei, Oana & Xia, Jun, 2016. "DIY: How internationalization shifts the locus of indigenous innovation for Chinese firms," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 51(5), pages 662-674.
    9. Inwon Kang & Hae Seok Jee & Matthew Minsuk Shin, 2018. "Affective Policy Performance Evaluation Model: A Case of an International Trade Policy Implementation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(1), pages 1-18, January.
    10. 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.
    11. Sangcheol Song, 2017. "Ownership Increase in International Joint Ventures: The Within- and Across-Country Flexibility Perspective," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 57(1), pages 93-120, February.
    12. Zhi Shen & Francisco Puig & Justin Paul, 2017. "Foreign Market Entry Mode Research: A Review and Research Agenda," The International Trade Journal, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 31(5), pages 429-456, October.
    13. Jesper N Wulff & Anders R Villadsen, 2020. "Keeping it within bounds: Regression analysis of proportions in international business," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 51(2), pages 244-262, March.
    14. Zhi Shen & Francisco Puig, 2018. "Spatial Dependence of the FDI Entry Mode Decision: Empirical Evidence From Emerging Market Enterprises," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 58(1), pages 171-193, February.
    15. Ho, Tuan & Kim, Kirak & Li, Yang & Xu, Fangming, 2023. "Does real flexibility help firms navigate the COVID-19 pandemic?," The British Accounting Review, Elsevier, vol. 55(4).
    16. Chris Changwha Chung & Seung-Hyun Lee & Jeoung-Yul Lee, 2013. "Dual-Option Subsidiaries and Exit Decisions During Times of Economic Crisis," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 53(4), pages 555-577, August.
    17. Hong, Sungjin J. & Lee, Seung-Hyun, 2015. "Reducing cultural uncertainty through experience gained in the domestic market," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 50(3), pages 428-438.
    18. Dang, Man & Nguyen, Ngoc Vu & Mazur, Mieszko & Puwanenthiren, Premkanth & Nguyen, Ngoc Thang, 2021. "Global policy uncertainty and cross-border acquisitions," The Quarterly Review of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 80(C), pages 224-235.
    19. Surdu, Irina & Mellahi, Kamel, 2016. "Theoretical foundations of equity based foreign market entry decisions: A review of the literature and recommendations for future research," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 25(5), pages 1169-1184.
    20. Li, Kun-Sha & Xiong, Yong-Qing, 2022. "Host country’s environmental uncertainty, technological capability, and foreign market entry mode: Evidence from high-end equipment manufacturing MNEs in emerging markets," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 31(1).
    21. Tailan Chi & Jing Li & Lenos G Trigeorgis & Andrianos E Tsekrekos, 2019. "Real options theory in international business," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 50(4), pages 525-553, June.
    22. Belderbos, René & De Michiel, Federico & Sleuwaegen, Leo & Wu, Shubin, 2021. "Global market integration, efficiency orientation, and drivers of foreign subsidiary divestments," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 56(5).
    23. Eduardsen, Jonas & Marinova, Svetla, 2020. "Internationalisation and risk: Literature review, integrative framework and research agenda," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 29(3).
    24. Fuentelsaz, Lucio & Garrido, Elisabet & González, Minerva, 2020. "Ownership in cross-border acquisitions and entry timing of the target firm," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 55(2).

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