Evolution of Firm- and Country-Specific Advantages and Disadvantages in the Process of Chinese Firm Internationalization

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25 Citations (Scopus)
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationAdvances in International Management
EditorsTimothy Devinney, Torben Pedersen, Laszlo Tihanyi
Volume24
PublisherEmerald Group Publishing Limited
Publication date9 Jun 2011
Pages235 - 269
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 9 Jun 2011
SeriesAdvances in International Management
ISSN1571-5027

Bibliographical note

The paper provides a logical extension to the understanding of firm-specific advantages and disadvantages and the enabling role of existing and emerging country-specific advantages relevant to the process of Chinese firm internationalization. Its longitudinal perspective considers the changing objectives and actions of firms that enable them to compensate for disadvantages and create new or strengthen existing competitive advantages. The case study evaluation reveals that the evolution of strategic resources is the key motivator behind the internationalization of Chinese firms. Decisively encouraged by the Chinese government firms with corporate entrepreneurship aspire to alter themselves from home market leaders and regional players into globally competing multi-nationals. This process is made possible via the development of firm-specific advantages and continuous compensation for firm-specific disadvantages. The aspiration for strategic asset acquisition from developed countries combined with cost leadership and independent customer-centred innovation brought about strong firm-specific advantages stimulating the internationalization process of firms. The chapter focuses on the interdependence of country- and firm-specific advantages and disadvantages, thus recognizing the significance of the home country institutional context in Chinese outward foreign direct investment. It has been identified that corporate entrepreneurship is a significant firm-specific advantage for firm internationalization being a major force in gaining, accumulating, utilizing and leveraging resources for transforming firm-specific disadvantages into advantages. We argue that if the relational framework between governmental institutions and firms is more developed, the impact of country-specific advantages on firm-specific advantages is more favourable. This assumes that the government espouses an ideology that is favourable to corporate entrepreneurship.

Keywords

  • Internationalization of Firms
  • Chinese multinationals
  • Firm-specific advantages
  • Country-specific advantages
  • Compensating for Disadvantages

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