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Asset or constraint: Corporate reputation and MNCs’ involvement in the least developed countries

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  • Musteen, Martina
  • Rhyne, Lawrence
  • Zheng, Congcong

Abstract

This study investigates the relationship between corporate reputation and a firm's involvement in the least developed countries (LDCs), where the most impoverished base of the pyramid markets are located. We draw upon extant literature in corporate reputation and international business to develop competing hypotheses regarding the foreign investment of the highly reputable firms in the LDCs. Corporate reputation can be a double-edged sword: while it can be a valuable asset to be leveraged in the LDCs, it demands monitoring and protection which might be challenged by a firm's LDC presence, thereby constraining the involvement in LDCs. Our results show that corporate reputation has a negative effect on a firm's foreign direct investment involvement in LDCs, supporting the view that reputation could constrain firm action in uncertain environments. We contribute to a more nuanced understanding of the relationship between reputation and international action than that of existing literature.

Suggested Citation

  • Musteen, Martina & Rhyne, Lawrence & Zheng, Congcong, 2013. "Asset or constraint: Corporate reputation and MNCs’ involvement in the least developed countries," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 48(3), pages 321-328.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:worbus:v:48:y:2013:i:3:p:321-328
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jwb.2012.07.016
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    7. Maria-José García-López & Juan-José Durán & Carmen Avilés-Palacios, 2022. "Managing Reputation in MNEs through Intangible Liabilities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-15, March.
    8. Javier Aguilera‐Caracuel & Jaime Guerrero‐Villegas, 2018. "How Corporate Social Responsibility Helps MNEs to Improve their Reputation. The Moderating Effects of Geographical Diversification and Operating in Developing Regions," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 25(4), pages 355-372, July.

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