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Firm-Specific Resources, Financial-Market Development and the Growth of U.S. Multinationals

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  • Susan Feinberg
  • Gordon Phillips

Abstract

We study the resource allocation decisions of U.S. multinational corporations (MNCs). We examine how established MNCs grow across countries and how firm-specific resources and host country financial-market development influence MNC growth. We find evidence of intra-firm trade-offs to growth in MNCs that have limited organizational capital and high R&D, and MNCs with low external and internal financing. In countries with less developed capital markets, we find significant within-MNC trade-offs to growth between affiliates and their U.S. parents. These trade-offs diminish over time as local capital markets develop. Our evidence indicates that access to financing and organizational capital are important resources for MNC affiliate growth.

Suggested Citation

  • Susan Feinberg & Gordon Phillips, 2002. "Firm-Specific Resources, Financial-Market Development and the Growth of U.S. Multinationals," NBER Working Papers 9252, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:9252
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    Cited by:

    1. Harald Oberhofer & Michael Pfaffermayr, 2013. "Firm growth in multinational corporate groups," Empirical Economics, Springer, vol. 44(3), pages 1435-1453, June.
    2. Fauver, Larry & Houston, Joel F. & Naranjo, Andy, 2004. "Cross-country evidence on the value of corporate industrial and international diversification," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 10(5), pages 729-752, November.
    3. Estrin, Saul & Nielsen, Bo B. & Nielsen, Sabina, 2017. "Emerging market multinational companies and internationalization: the role of home country urbanization," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 68350, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    4. Ushijima, Tatsuo, 2005. "Internal capital market and the growth and survival of Japanese plants in the United States," Journal of the Japanese and International Economies, Elsevier, vol. 19(3), pages 366-385, September.

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    JEL classification:

    • F1 - International Economics - - Trade

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