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Internationale Standortverlagerung und Mitarbeiterproduktivität: Eine empirische Untersuchung deutscher Industrieunternehmen

Author

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  • Winfried Ruigrok

    (Universität St. Gallen)

  • Hardy Wagner

    (Universität St. Gallen)

Abstract

Summary Although there are numerous empirical examinations of the relationship between foreign direct investment and corporate performance, researchers to date have not been able to reach a consensus on findings. In this article, we report the results of an inquiry into the relationship between foreign direct investment and operational performance (i.e., labour productivity). Our findings indicate that a U-curve best reflects the form of the relationship and that the curve’s inflection point is dependent on firms’ industrial membership. In conceptual terms, these results lend support to organizational learning theory. By relocating production facilities worldwide, firms can reap labour cost advantages. However, international production relocation can also come along with an employee qualification disadvantage that requires costly and time-consuming workforce training. Therefore, managers should aim for including both productivity components (i.e., labour costs and employee qualification) into their relocation decision-making process. Only then can the strategic instrument ‘international production relocation’ foster sustainable corporate success.

Suggested Citation

  • Winfried Ruigrok & Hardy Wagner, 2005. "Internationale Standortverlagerung und Mitarbeiterproduktivität: Eine empirische Untersuchung deutscher Industrieunternehmen," Schmalenbach Journal of Business Research, Springer, vol. 57(4), pages 310-324, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:sjobre:v:57:y:2005:i:4:d:10.1007_bf03372768
    DOI: 10.1007/BF03372768
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    D24; F20; F21; F23; J24; J31; M11; O47;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D24 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Production; Cost; Capital; Capital, Total Factor, and Multifactor Productivity; Capacity
    • F20 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - General
    • F21 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - International Investment; Long-Term Capital Movements
    • F23 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - Multinational Firms; International Business
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • J31 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials
    • M11 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - Production Management
    • O47 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity - - - Empirical Studies of Economic Growth; Aggregate Productivity; Cross-Country Output Convergence

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