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The contribution of foreign subsidiaries to host country national competitiveness

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  • O'Donnell, Sharon
  • Blumentritt, Timothy

Abstract

In this article, we develop a conceptual model of national competitiveness, focusing on the influence of foreign subsidiaries on the competitiveness of their host countries. Essentially, we view foreign subsidiaries as potential sources of resources important to a nation in developing and maintaining its international competitiveness. We argue that there is a set of subsidiary characteristics that enables a foreign subsidiary to contribute to the national competitiveness of its host country. These characteristics include the strategic role of the subsidiary, the level of technology employed in the subsidiary's processes, the type of training provided by the parent company, and the degree to which the subsidiary is part of an interdependent network of international subunits of the firm. National policy implications are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • O'Donnell, Sharon & Blumentritt, Timothy, 1999. "The contribution of foreign subsidiaries to host country national competitiveness," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 5(3), pages 187-206.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:intman:v:5:y:1999:i:3:p:187-206
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    2. Ángel Calvo, 2022. "Japanese ICT multinationals in Southern Europe by the end of the twentieth century: Fujitsu in Spain," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 13(2), pages 1341-1373, June.
    3. Camelia Moraru & Romana Emilia Cramarenco, 2014. "Methodological Diversity In The Study Of Innovation. The Place And Role Of Innovative Industrial Clusters Research Methodology," Romanian Journal of Regional Science, Romanian Regional Science Association, vol. 8(1), pages 54-68, JUNE.
    4. Padilla, Ramon & Vang, Jan & Chaminade, Cristina, 2008. "RIS and Developing Countries: Linking firm technological capabilities to regional systems of innovation," Papers in Innovation Studies 2008/13, Lund University, CIRCLE - Centre for Innovation Research.
    5. Gupta, Suraksha & Malhotra, Naresh K. & Czinkota, Michael & Foroudi, Pantea, 2016. "Marketing innovation: A consequence of competitiveness," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 69(12), pages 5671-5681.
    6. Padilla-Pérez, Ramón, 2008. "A regional approach to study technology transfer through foreign direct investment: The electronics industry in two Mexican regions," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 37(5), pages 849-860, June.
    7. Diana Barros, Aurora A.C. Teixeira, 2021. "The technology balance of payments and international competitiveness: a panel data analysis of southern European countries, 2000-2017," European Journal of Comparative Economics, Cattaneo University (LIUC), vol. 18(1), pages 105-136, June.
    8. Mariachiara Barzotto & Giancarlo Corò & Ilaria Mariotti & Marco Mutinelli, 2016. "The impact of Inward FDI on host country labour markets. A counterfactual analysis on Italian manufacturing companies," Working Papers 1612, c.MET-05 - Centro Interuniversitario di Economia Applicata alle Politiche per L'industria, lo Sviluppo locale e l'Internazionalizzazione.
    9. Jindra, Björn & Giroud, Axèle & Scott-Kennel, Joanna, 2009. "Subsidiary roles, vertical linkages and economic development: Lessons from transition economies," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 44(2), pages 167-179, April.
    10. Mariachiara Barzotto & Giancarlo Corò & Ilaria Mariotti & Marco Mutinelli, 2019. "Ownership and workforce composition: a counterfactual analysis of foreign multinationals and Italian uni-national firms," Economia e Politica Industriale: Journal of Industrial and Business Economics, Springer;Associazione Amici di Economia e Politica Industriale, vol. 46(4), pages 581-607, December.
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    12. Iammarino, Simona & Padilla-Pérez, Ramon & von Tunzelmann, Nick, 2008. "Technological Capabilities and Global-Local Interactions: The Electronics Industry in Two Mexican Regions," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 36(10), pages 1980-2003, October.

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