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Adjustment strategies of multinational enterprises to changing national competitiveness

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  • Christian Bellak

Abstract

This article establishes a link between four combinations of relative firm-specific advantages and comparative advantage and the adjustment strategies of multinational firms. Based on the distribution of firms across advantage combinations, hypotheses on four adjustment strategies are developed: expansion, rationalization, exit and relocation. Upon a detailed analysis of a representative sample of manufacturing firms for 1990-2000, a consistent competitiveness ranking of domestic and foreign firms across industries and over time is derived. The strategies followed by the firms are reflected by the development of employment, value-added and exports. Results show that firms are not distributed entirely in line with comparative advantage, but the dynamic interaction ("match") of location-advantage and firm-specific advantage seems to be decisive. Results also confirm that domestic and foreign firms partly react differently under a given advantage combination. The following principles for location policies are suggested: the empirically measured mismatch of firm capabilities and location advantages determine when direct and indirect measures should be used. The intensity of policy measures should be oriented towards the competitiveness ranking derived.

Suggested Citation

  • Christian Bellak, 2005. "Adjustment strategies of multinational enterprises to changing national competitiveness," International Journal of the Economics of Business, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 12(1), pages 139-162.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:ijecbs:v:12:y:2005:i:1:p:139-162
    DOI: 10.1080/1357151042000323067
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Michael Pfaffermayr & Michael Wild & Christian Bellak, 2005. "Effekte ausländischer Übernahmen," Wirtschaft und Gesellschaft - WuG, Kammer für Arbeiter und Angestellte für Wien, Abteilung Wirtschaftswissenschaft und Statistik, vol. 31(1), pages 113-124.
    2. Anna Lejpras, 2019. "Determinants of export performance: differences between service and manufacturing SMEs," Service Business, Springer;Pan-Pacific Business Association, vol. 13(1), pages 171-198, March.
    3. Rajaram Veliyath & Rakesh B. Sambharya, 2011. "R&D Investments of Multinational Corporations," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 51(3), pages 407-428, June.
    4. Wilfried Altzinger & Christian Bellak, 2005. "Bestehen Unterschiede zwischen in- und ausländischen Unternehmensübernahmen?," Wirtschaft und Gesellschaft - WuG, Kammer für Arbeiter und Angestellte für Wien, Abteilung Wirtschaftswissenschaft und Statistik, vol. 31(4), pages 535-553.

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    JEL classification:

    • F10 - International Economics - - Trade - - - General
    • F23 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - Multinational Firms; International Business

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