Industry agglomeration, sub-national institutions and the profitability of foreign subsidiaries

Main author: Li, Xiaoying
Other authors: Zhang, Yin-Fang
Sun, Laixiang
Format: Journal Article           
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id eprints-26078
recordtype eprints
institution SOAS, University of London
collection SOAS Research Online
language English
language_search English
description This study investigates the impact of agglomeration and its interaction with subnational institutions on the profitability of multinational enterprises (MNEs) subsidiaries operating in an emerging economy. We argue that in an emerging economy like China, competition in product and factor markets is more intense between foreign firms than between foreign and domestic firms owing to market segmentation. Consequently, agglomerating with other foreign firms has negative impact on the profitability of foreign subsidiaries. In contrast, foreign firms agglomerating with domestic firms may reap gains owing to less competition and improved access to local resources and knowledge. We find that these effects are more pronounced to domestic-market-oriented foreign firms. Furthermore, sub-national institutions moderate the above relationships. Our arguments are supported by the empirical analysis based on a comprehensive dataset of foreign firms operating in China over the period of 1999-2005.
format Journal Article
author Li, Xiaoying
author_facet Li, Xiaoying
Zhang, Yin-Fang
Sun, Laixiang
authorStr Li, Xiaoying
author_letter Li, Xiaoying
author2 Zhang, Yin-Fang
Sun, Laixiang
author2Str Zhang, Yin-Fang
Sun, Laixiang
title Industry agglomeration, sub-national institutions and the profitability of foreign subsidiaries
publisher Springer Nature
publishDate 2018
url https://eprints.soas.ac.uk/26078/