IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/spr/manint/v53y2013i5d10.1007_s11575-013-0174-3.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Venturing Early or Following Late?

Author

Listed:
  • M. Ahlbrecht

    (Technical University Dresden)

  • S. Eckert

    (Technical University Dresden)

Abstract

The concept of the establishment chain has been subject to extensive research during the last decades and has received support as well as criticism. We test this concept for market entries in Central and Eastern European countries. We also evaluate both the impact of following this pattern and the impact of the timing of market entry on the performance in the foreign market. We test our hypotheses with empirical data collected in a survey among German manufacturing companies that have entered markets in Central and Eastern Europe. The data covers 524 cases of internationalization from 204 companies. We find that most companies start with low-intensity market entry modes and increase their commitment over time. Yet, only a small fraction actually follows the path of internationalization described by the establishment chain. It seems that this pattern is more relevant for companies entering these markets early and loses relevance as foreign competition in the foreign market increases. Levels of performance tend to be higher for companies entering CEE markets early in comparison to later entries. However, we do not discover any performance impact of market entry according to the establishment chain.

Suggested Citation

  • M. Ahlbrecht & S. Eckert, 2013. "Venturing Early or Following Late?," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 53(5), pages 635-658, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:manint:v:53:y:2013:i:5:d:10.1007_s11575-013-0174-3
    DOI: 10.1007/s11575-013-0174-3
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s11575-013-0174-3
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: Access to the full text of the articles in this series is restricted.
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1007/s11575-013-0174-3?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Gabriel R. G. Benito & Bent Petersen & Lawrence S. Welch, 2011. "Mode Combinations and International Operations," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 51(6), pages 803-820, December.
    2. Jan Johanson & Jan-Erik Vahlne, 2009. "The Uppsala internationalization process model revisited: From liability of foreignness to liability of outsidership," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 40(9), pages 1411-1431, December.
    3. Youngok Kim & Sidney J. Gray, 2008. "The impact of entry mode choice on foreign affiliate performance: The case of foreign MNEs in South Korea," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 48(2), pages 165-188, April.
    4. Gregory G. Dess & Richard B. Robinson, 1984. "Measuring organizational performance in the absence of objective measures: The case of the privately‐held firm and conglomerate business unit," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 5(3), pages 265-273, July.
    5. Jan Johanson & Jan-Erik Vahlne, 1977. "The Internationalization Process of the Firm—A Model of Knowledge Development and Increasing Foreign Market Commitments," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 8(1), pages 23-32, March.
    6. Lance Eliot Brouthers & Keith D Brouthers & Steve Werner, 1999. "Is Dunning's Eclectic Framework Descriptive Or Normative?," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 30(4), pages 831-844, December.
    7. Mehmet Demirbag & Martina McGuinness & Hüseyin Altay, 2010. "Perceptions of Institutional Environment and Entry Mode," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 50(2), pages 207-240, April.
    8. Drogendijk, H.J., 2001. "Expansion patterns of Dutch firms in Central and Eastern Europe : Learning to internationalize," Other publications TiSEM 18571cef-0dd0-46ff-82aa-3, Tilburg University, School of Economics and Management.
    9. Armstrong, J. Scott & Overton, Terry S., 1977. "Estimating Nonresponse Bias in Mail Surveys," MPRA Paper 81694, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    10. Suutari, Vesa & Riusala, Kimmo, 2001. "Leadership styles in Central Eastern Europe: Experiences of Finnish expatriates in the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland," Scandinavian Journal of Management, Elsevier, vol. 17(2), pages 249-280, June.
    11. Niron Hashai & Christian G. Asmussen & Gabriel R. G. Benito & Bent Petersen, 2010. "Technological Knowledge Intensity and Entry Mode Diversity," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 50(6), pages 659-681, December.
    12. John H Dunning, 1980. "Towards an Eclectic Theory of International Production: Some Empirical Tests," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 11(1), pages 9-31, March.
    13. Jan Johanson & Jan-Erik Vahlne, 2006. "Commitment and opportunity development in the internationalization process: A note on the Uppsala internationalization process model," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 46(2), pages 165-178, March.
    14. Calof, Jonathan L. & Beamish, Paul W., 1995. "Adapting to foreign markets: Explaining internationalization," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 4(2), pages 115-131, June.
    15. J. Myles Shaver, 1998. "Accounting for Endogeneity When Assessing Strategy Performance: Does Entry Mode Choice Affect FDI Survival?," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 44(4), pages 571-585, April.
    16. Klaus E Meyer, 2001. "Institutions, Transaction Costs, and Entry Mode Choice in Eastern Europe," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 32(2), pages 357-367, June.
    17. Kent Eriksson & Jan Johanson & Anders Majkgård & D Deo Sharma, 1997. "Experimental Knowledge and Costs in the Internationalization Process," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 28(2), pages 337-360, June.
    18. Chen, Homin, 1999. "International performance of multinationals: a hybrid model," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 34(2), pages 157-170, July.
    19. Keith D. Brouthers & George Nakos, 2004. "SME Entry Mode Choice and Performance: A Transaction Cost Perspective," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 28(3), pages 229-247, May.
    20. Florence Yean Yng Ling & C. William Ibbs & Javier Cuervo, 2005. "Entry and business strategies used by international architectural, engineering and construction firms in China," Construction Management and Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 23(5), pages 509-520.
    21. Stigler, George J., 2011. "Economics of Information," Ekonomicheskaya Politika / Economic Policy, Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration, vol. 5, pages 35-49.
    22. Mary Lambkin, 1988. "Order of entry and performance in new markets," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 9(S1), pages 127-140, June.
    23. Yadong Luo, 1998. "Timing of Investment and International Expansion Performance in China," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 29(2), pages 391-407, June.
    24. J Michael Geringer & Louis Hebert, 1991. "Measuring Performance of International Joint Ventures," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 22(2), pages 249-263, June.
    25. Keith D Brouthers, 2002. "Institutional, Cultural and Transaction Cost Influences on Entry Mode Choice and Performance," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 33(2), pages 203-221, June.
    26. Yigang Pan & Shaomin Li & David K Tse, 1999. "The Impact of Order and Mode of Market Entry on Profitability and Market Share," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 30(1), pages 81-103, March.
    27. Schien Ninan & Jonas F. Puck, 2010. "The internationalization of Austrian firms in Central and Eastern Europe," Journal of East European Management Studies, Nomos Verlagsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG, vol. 15(3), pages 237-259.
    28. C Patrick Woodcook & Paul W Beamish & Shige Makino, 1994. "Ownership-Based Entry mode Strategies and International Performance," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 25(2), pages 253-273, June.
    29. Klaus E. Meyer & Modestas Gelbuda, 2006. "Process perspectives in international business research in CEE," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 46(2), pages 143-164, March.
    30. Cristian Vega-Céspedes & Yasuo Hoshino, 2001. "Effects of Ownership and Internalization Advantages on Performance: The Case of Japanese Subsidiaries in the United States and Latin America," Review of Pacific Basin Financial Markets and Policies (RPBFMP), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 4(01), pages 69-94.
    31. Coviello, Nicole & Munro, Hugh, 1997. "Network relationships and the internationalisation process of small software firms," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 6(4), pages 361-386, August.
    32. Mascarenhas, Briance, 1997. "The order and size of entry into international markets," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 12(4), pages 287-299, July.
    33. Schien Ninan & Jonas F. Puck, 2010. "The internationalization of Austrian firms in Central and Eastern Europe," Journal of East European Management Studies, Rainer Hampp Verlag, vol. 15(3), pages 237-259.
    34. Sanjeev Agarwal & Sridhar N Ramaswami, 1992. "Choice of Foreign Market Entry Mode: Impact of Ownership, Location and Internationalization Factors," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 23(1), pages 1-27, March.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Castellani, Davide & Montresor, Sandro & Schubert, Torben & Vezzani, Antonio, 2017. "Multinationality, R&D and productivity: Evidence from the top R&D investors worldwide," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 26(3), pages 405-416.
    2. Dykes, Bernadine J. & Kolev, Kalin D., 2018. "Entry Timing in Foreign Markets: A Meta-analytic Review and Critique," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 24(4), pages 404-416.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Hongxin Zhao & Chin-Chun Hsu, 2007. "Social ties and foreign market entry: An empirical inquiry," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 47(6), pages 815-844, December.
    2. Canabal, Anne & White III, George O., 2008. "Entry mode research: Past and future," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 17(3), pages 267-284, June.
    3. Piotr Trapczynski, 2013. "Determinants Of Foreign Direct Investment Performance – A Critical Literature Review," Oeconomia Copernicana, Institute of Economic Research, vol. 4(2), pages 117-132, June.
    4. Wrona, Thomas & Trąpczyński, Piotr, 2012. "Re-explaining international entry modes – Interaction and moderating effects on entry modes of pharmaceutical companies into transition economies," European Management Journal, Elsevier, vol. 30(4), pages 295-315.
    5. Trąpczyński, Piotr & Halaszovich, Tilo F. & Piaskowska, Dorota, 2020. "The role of perceived institutional distance in foreign ownership level decisions of new MNEs," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 108(C), pages 435-449.
    6. Nuno Calheiros-Lobo & José Vasconcelos Ferreira & Manuel Au-Yong-Oliveira, 2023. "SME Internationalization and Export Performance: A Systematic Review with Bibliometric Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-36, May.
    7. Putzhammer, Moritz & Fainshmidt, Stav & Puck, Jonas & Slangen, Arjen, 2018. "To elevate or to duplicate? Experiential learning, host-country institutions, and MNE post-entry commitment increase," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 53(4), pages 568-580.
    8. repec:dgr:rugsom:05g07 is not listed on IDEAS
    9. Hollender, Lina & Zapkau, Florian B. & Schwens, Christian, 2017. "SME foreign market entry mode choice and foreign venture performance: The moderating effect of international experience and product adaptation," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 26(2), pages 250-263.
    10. Ripollés, Maria & Blesa, Andreu, 2012. "International new ventures as “small multinationals”: The importance of marketing capabilities," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 47(2), pages 277-287.
    11. 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.
    12. Dikova, Desislava & Witteloostuijn, Arjen van, 2005. "Managerial satisfaction with subsidiary performance; the influence of the parent MNE's capabilities and the subsidiary's environment," Research Report 05G07, University of Groningen, Research Institute SOM (Systems, Organisations and Management).
    13. Sandberg, Susanne, 2014. "Experiential knowledge antecedents of the SME network node configuration in emerging market business networks," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 23(1), pages 20-29.
    14. Christian Schwens & Florian B Zapkau & Keith D Brouthers & Lina Hollender, 2018. "Limits to international entry mode learning in SMEs," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 49(7), pages 809-831, September.
    15. Putzhammer, Moritz & Puck, Jonas & Lindner, Thomas, 2020. "Changes in foreign operation modes: A review and research agenda," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 29(1).
    16. Youngok Kim & Sidney J. Gray, 2008. "The impact of entry mode choice on foreign affiliate performance: The case of foreign MNEs in South Korea," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 48(2), pages 165-188, April.
    17. Demirbag, Mehmet & Tatoglu, Ekrem & Glaister, Keith W., 2007. "Factors influencing perceptions of performance: The case of western FDI in an emerging market," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 16(3), pages 310-336, June.
    18. Claudio Giachetti & Giancarlo Manzi & Cinzia Colapinto, 2019. "Entry Mode Degree of Control, Firm Performance and Host Country Institutional Development: A Meta-Analysis," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 59(1), pages 3-39, February.
    19. Schwens, Christian & Kabst, Ruediger, 2011. "Internationalization of young technology firms: A complementary perspective on antecedents of foreign market familiarity," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 20(1), pages 60-74, February.
    20. Seok Jin Ko, 2019. "The Differing Foreign Entry Mode Choices for Sales and Production Subsidiaries of Multinational Corporations in the Manufacturing Industry," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(15), pages 1-18, July.
    21. Keith D. Brouthers & George Nakos, 2004. "SME Entry Mode Choice and Performance: A Transaction Cost Perspective," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 28(3), pages 229-247, May.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:spr:manint:v:53:y:2013:i:5:d:10.1007_s11575-013-0174-3. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.springer.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.