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Edith Penrose and the future of the multinational enterprise: New research directions

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  • Christos Pitelis

    (University of Cambridge)

  • Alain Verbeke

    (University of Calgary
    University of Oxford
    Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB))

Abstract

and Key Results This paper demonstrates the continued relevance of Penrose’s Theory of the Growth of the Firm (1959) (TGF) to explain MNE expansion patterns. Explaining MNE growth requires explicit attention to three elements not addressed fully by Penrose: (1) technology-based firm-specific advantages, (2) dynamic capabilities and (3) melding location-bound and internationally transferable knowledge, especially through astute human resources management. TGF includes foundational insights on the dynamic capabilities approach in strategy and contributes to assessing normative models in international strategy. Penrose did not appreciate fully the unique knowledge recombination challenges prevailing in international business, especially in the context of the large MNE. This uniqueness of knowledge recombination is the raison d’être of international business as a separate field of inquiry.

Suggested Citation

  • Christos Pitelis & Alain Verbeke, 2007. "Edith Penrose and the future of the multinational enterprise: New research directions," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 47(2), pages 139-149, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:manint:v:47:y:2007:i:2:d:10.1007_s11575-007-0008-2
    DOI: 10.1007/s11575-007-0008-2
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    5. Stewart Johnston & Angela Paladino, 2007. "Knowledge management and involvement in innovations in MNC subsidiaries," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 47(2), pages 281-302, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Viktor Fredrich & Siegfried Gudergan & Ricarda B. Bouncken, 2022. "Dynamic Capabilities, Internationalization and Growth of Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises: The Roles of Research and Development Intensity and Collaborative Intensity," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 62(4), pages 611-642, August.
    2. Jean-François Hennart & Antonio Majocchi & Birgit Hagen, 2021. "What’s so special about born globals, their entrepreneurs or their business model?," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 52(9), pages 1665-1694, December.
    3. Andreas Grossler, 2010. "An Exploratory Study of Differences in Manufacturing Strategy between National and Global Production Firms," Journal of Management and Strategy, Journal of Management and Strategy, Sciedu Press, vol. 1(1), pages 47-62, December.
    4. Danchi Tan & Weichieh Su & Joseph T. Mahoney & Yasemin Kor, 2020. "A review of research on the growth of multinational enterprises: A Penrosean lens," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 51(4), pages 498-537, June.
    5. Li, Lei & Li, Dan & Goerzen, Anthony & Shi, Weilei (Stone), 2018. "What and how do SMEs gain by going international? A longitudinal investigation of financial and intellectual resource growth," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 53(6), pages 817-834.
    6. Christian Asmussen & Tailan Chi & Rajneesh Narula, 2022. "Quasi-internalization, recombination advantages, and global value chains: Clarifying the role of ownership and control," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 53(8), pages 1747-1765, October.
    7. Kano, Hirokazu, 2023. "Early internationalization and subsequent geographic expansion: An extended Penrosean perspective," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 32(1).
    8. Ilgaz Arikan & Asli M. Arikan & Oded Shenkar, 2022. "Revisiting emerging market multinational enterprise views: The Goldilocks story restated," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 53(4), pages 781-802, June.
    9. Adams, Kweku & Attah-Boakye, Rexford & Yu, Honglan & Chu, Irene & Ishaque, Maria, 2023. "Competence and enterprise of management as drivers of early foreign listing of medium-sized emerging market multinationals (EMNEs) from Africa," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 158(C).
    10. René Bohnsack & Francesca Ciulli & Ans Kolk, 2021. "The role of business models in firm internationalization: An exploration of European electricity firms in the context of the energy transition," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 52(5), pages 824-852, July.
    11. Shameen Prashantham & Stephen Young, 2011. "Post–Entry Speed of International New Ventures," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 35(2), pages 275-292, March.
    12. Satta, Giovanni & Parola, Francesco & Persico, Luca, 2014. "Temporal and Spatial Constructs in Service Firms' Internationalization Patterns: The Determinants of the Accelerated Growth of Emerging MNEs," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 20(4), pages 421-435.
    13. Mark Casson & Yutong Li, 2022. "Complexity in international business: The implications for theory," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 53(9), pages 2037-2049, December.
    14. Gregory Ludwig & Jon Pemberton, 2011. "A managerial perspective of dynamic capabilities in emerging markets: The case of the Russian steel industry," Journal of East European Management Studies, Nomos Verlagsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG, vol. 16(3), pages 215-236.
    15. Róisín Donnelly & Saptarshi Purkayastha & Tatiana S. Manolova & Linda F. Edelman, 2024. "Institutional distance, slack resources, and foreign market entry," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 55(2), pages 194-211, March.
    16. Alex Mohr & Georgios Batsakis & Zita Stone, 2018. "Explaining the effect of rapid internationalization on horizontal foreign divestment in the retail sector: An extended Penrosean perspective," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 49(7), pages 779-808, September.
    17. Parente, Ronaldo C. & Baack, Daniel W. & Hahn, Eugene D., 2011. "The effect of supply chain integration, modular production, and cultural distance on new product development: A dynamic capabilities approach," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 17(4), pages 278-290.
    18. Altintas, Gulsun & Ambrosini, Véronique & Gudergan, Siegfried, 2022. "MNE dynamic capabilities in (un)related diversification," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 28(1).
    19. Christos N. Pitelis & David J. Teece, 2018. "The New MNE: ‘Orchestration’ Theory as Envelope of ‘Internalisation’ Theory," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 58(4), pages 523-539, August.
    20. Yi, Changjun & Zhang, Jipeng & Zhan, Yun & Yan, Xiaojuan & Chen, Chusheng, 2021. "Internationalization speed and subsidiary survival of EMNCs: The moderating roles of CEO international experience and state ownership," Journal of Asian Economics, Elsevier, vol. 77(C).
    21. Putzhammer, Moritz & Slangen, Arjen & Puck, Jonas & Lindner, Thomas, 2020. "Multinational firms' pace of expansion within host countries: How high rates of pro-market reform hamper the local exploitation of foreign expansion knowledge," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 26(1).
    22. Lars Matysiak & Alan M. Rugman & Andreas Bausch, 2018. "Dynamic Capabilities of Multinational Enterprises: The Dominant Logics Behind Sensing, Seizing, and Transforming Matter!," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 58(2), pages 225-250, April.
    23. Rajneesh Narula & Christian Geisler Asmussen & Tailan Chi & Sumit Kumar Kundu, 2019. "Applying and advancing internalization theory: The multinational enterprise in the twenty-first century," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 50(8), pages 1231-1252, October.

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