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The Role of Local Actors in the Implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative: the Example of the Italian Port System

Author

Listed:
  • Cristian Luise

    (Dept. of Management, Università Ca' Foscari Venice)

  • Peter J. Buckley

    (Centre for International Business, Leeds University Business School)

  • Hinrich Voss

    (Department of International Business, HEC Montreal)

  • Emmanuella Plakoyiannaki

    (Faculty of Business, Economics and Statistics, University of Vienna)

  • Elisa Barbieri

    (Dept. of Economics, Università Ca' Foscari Venice)

Abstract

Infrastructural assets are vital for a country’s economic and social development. Governments typically provide the regulation and administration of these assets, while multinational enterprises (MNEs) develop, construct, finance, and operate them. The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) promises infrastructure projects that deliver economic and social benefit for both the host country and the MNE. We argue that BRI objectives and project scope are kept in check in the host country through an existing nexus of property rights. Chinese investors need to understand the bargaining position and property rights actors across multiple levels, across space, and be mindful of changes over time when negotiating for an infrastructure investment. We interrogate four case studies of Chinese investment negotiations in Italian ports to explore the conceptual framework and to examine how the negotiation process evolved following BRI.

Suggested Citation

  • Cristian Luise & Peter J. Buckley & Hinrich Voss & Emmanuella Plakoyiannaki & Elisa Barbieri, 2021. "The Role of Local Actors in the Implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative: the Example of the Italian Port System," Working Papers 07, Department of Management, Università Ca' Foscari Venezia.
    • Handle: RePEc:vnm:wpdman:184
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Belt and Road Initiative; infrastructure; FDI policy; emerging market multinationals; contract theory; Italy; ports; case study.;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F23 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - Multinational Firms; International Business

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