TY - JOUR
T1 - Globalization and location choice
T2 - An analysis of US multinational firms in 1980 and 2000
AU - Flores, Ricardo G.
AU - Aguilera Vaqués, R.
PY - 2007/12
Y1 - 2007/12
N2 - In this paper we examine foreign location choices of the top 100 US multinational corporations (MNCs) in 1980 and 2000. We first ask whether there has been a change in MNC foreign location choice in this two-decade period. Second, we explore the underlying reasons of location change by focusing on country-level factors, accounting for firm-, industry- and regional-level explanations. Our findings suggest, first, that the extent of MNCs' activities around the globe is more extensive than assumed by regionalists' arguments and well beyond Ohmae's TRIAD, but still less widespread than claimed by the globalists - the two main traditions within the globalization-regionalization debate. Second, we uncover an interesting de-location pattern in this period. Third, we develop an integrative framework where both economic and institutional-cultural arguments are shown to influence MNCs' foreign location choice in different ways. We conclude with a discussion of our findings, and provide suggestions for future research.
AB - In this paper we examine foreign location choices of the top 100 US multinational corporations (MNCs) in 1980 and 2000. We first ask whether there has been a change in MNC foreign location choice in this two-decade period. Second, we explore the underlying reasons of location change by focusing on country-level factors, accounting for firm-, industry- and regional-level explanations. Our findings suggest, first, that the extent of MNCs' activities around the globe is more extensive than assumed by regionalists' arguments and well beyond Ohmae's TRIAD, but still less widespread than claimed by the globalists - the two main traditions within the globalization-regionalization debate. Second, we uncover an interesting de-location pattern in this period. Third, we develop an integrative framework where both economic and institutional-cultural arguments are shown to influence MNCs' foreign location choice in different ways. We conclude with a discussion of our findings, and provide suggestions for future research.
KW - Global strategy
KW - Globalization
KW - Host country factors
KW - MNC foreign location choice
KW - Regional strategy
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=36248939116&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1057/palgrave.jibs.8400307
DO - 10.1057/palgrave.jibs.8400307
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:36248939116
SN - 0047-2506
VL - 38
SP - 1187
EP - 1210
JO - Journal of International Business Studies
JF - Journal of International Business Studies
IS - 7
ER -