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The Decentering of the Global Firm

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  • Mihir A. Desai

Abstract

This paper describes recent changes in the relationship between firms and nation states. Firms are typically linked to the nation in which they began and are considered to have fixed national identities. While firms have reallocated various activities around the world in response to value creation opportunities, they have largely retained their national identities and their headquarter activities have remained bundled in their home countries. This characterisation is increasingly tenuous. Firms are redefining their homes by unbundling their headquarters functions and reallocating them opportunistically across nations. A firm’s legal home, its financial home and its homes for managerial talent no longer need to be co‐located and, consequently, the idea of firms as national actors rooted in their home countries is rapidly becoming outdated. The implications for policymakers and researchers are outlined.

Suggested Citation

  • Mihir A. Desai, 2009. "The Decentering of the Global Firm," The World Economy, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 32(9), pages 1271-1290, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:worlde:v:32:y:2009:i:9:p:1271-1290
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-9701.2009.01212.x
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    1. Desai, Mihir A. & Hines, James R. Jr., 2004. "Old Rules and New Realities: Corporate Tax Policy in a Global Setting," National Tax Journal, National Tax Association;National Tax Journal, vol. 57(4), pages 937-960, December.
    2. Desai, Mihir A. & Hines, James R. Jr., 2002. "Expectations and Expatriations: Tracing the Causes and Consequences of Corporate Inversions," National Tax Journal, National Tax Association;National Tax Journal, vol. 55(3), pages 409-440, September.
    3. Tyson, Laura D' Andrea, 1991. "They Are Not Us: Why American Ownership Still Matters," UCAIS Berkeley Roundtable on the International Economy, Working Paper Series qt63k3x1r7, UCAIS Berkeley Roundtable on the International Economy, UC Berkeley.
    4. Desai, Mihir A. & Hines, James R. Jr., 2003. "Evaluating International Tax Reform," National Tax Journal, National Tax Association;National Tax Journal, vol. 56(3), pages 487-502, September.
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