Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to review the key analytical principles of internalisation theory as a general theory of the multinational enterprise (MNE). It illustrates the vitality, relevance and flexibility of the approach in explaining the continued evolution of the MNE. As a...

Purpose – This paper aims to argue that management capability is a complement to ownership advantage. Ownership advantage determines the potential of the firm, and management capability governs the fulfilment of this potential through overcoming barriers to growth. The economic theory of the...

Purpose: This paper aims to introduce economic history as a new stream of international business (IB) research. It offers a long-term perspective on how the IB has evolved over time, focussing on the interplay between multinational enterprise and the nation state. Design/methodology/approach:...

Purpose – This paper aims to propose a way of addressing unresolved issues in international business theory. Design/methodology/approach – A new model of the multinational enterprise as a coordinator of supply chains is presented. Findings – This paper identifies a new market‐seeking...

Purpose – The purpose of this article is to provide insights into the innovation trajectory, and knowledge pipelines of mature industry multinational enterprises (MNEs). The ability to innovate constantly amidst a turbulent and competitive environment is often the key force behind MNE survival...

Purpose – The aim of the article is to establish robust linkages between internalization theory and the empirical phenomenon of international new ventures (INVs). Here, the focus is on firm-specific advantages (FSAs) critical to early new venture internationalization....

The improvement in performance of Chinese domestically owned industry in 1995 and 2001 is strongly linked to inward foreign direct investment. Rising foreign presence contributes towards the narrowing of the performance gap between foreign and locally owned enterprises in China. While investment...

This paper explores the impact of China’s growing prominence in global and regional foreign direct investment (FDI) fl ows on the Southeast Asian countries as investment locations. Providing internal social and economic cohesion is maintained, China is likely to exert a greater pull on...

Mainland Chinese firms have become important international investors. Many have gained their capabilities to internationalize in a domestic institutional environment characterised by significant market imperfections. In this study, we argue that the imperfections affect firm behavior depending...

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to extend the purview of internalisation theory in understanding the global allocation of resources in different institutional contexts. Design/methodology/approach Theoretical extensions of internalisation theory are proposed in response to a comment....