The empirical literature on multinational enterprises, subsidiaries and performance
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to provide a synthetic review of the empirical literature on the multinational enterprise (MNE), subsidiaries and performance.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper examines the following: the theoretical and conceptual foundation of multinationality (M) and performance (P) measures; the impact of MNE strategic investment motives on performance; the influence of contextual external and internal environment factors on performance; the strategy to optimize value chain activities of the MNE by cooperating with external partners in an asymmetric network, the key drivers of enhanced shareholder value and the implications of performance; and the need to access primary data provided by firms and managers themselves when analyzing the internal functioning of the MNE and its subsidiaries.
Findings
The overall message from this literature review is that empirical research should be designed on the basis of relevant theoretical and conceptual foundations of the performance construct.
Originality/value
The paper provides a systematic and synthetic review of theoretical and empirical literature.
Keywords
Citation
Nguyen, Q.T.K. (2011), "The empirical literature on multinational enterprises, subsidiaries and performance", Multinational Business Review, Vol. 19 No. 1, pp. 47-64. https://doi.org/10.1108/15253831111126749
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2011, Emerald Group Publishing Limited