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Emerging Markets, MNEs, and FDI

International business scholars have become really focused on understanding the nature of emerging market (E) MNEs.  In what ways, for example, are they different (if at all?) to developed market MNEs? This question has led to extensive theorising regarding EMNNEs, as well as lots of empirical papers.  Our researchers have significantly contributed to the EMNE debate, publishing on a wide variety of topics in leading international business and management journals. We go out of our way to ask new and critical questions and explore these questions using original and novel methodologies. For example, we have explored; the role of greenfield FDI establishment mode and sub-national location choices as a means to undertake firm-level catch-up strategies; undertaken large-scale EMNE/DMNE comparative analysis of strategic asset seeking deal outcomes using novel DID (time variant approaches); critically questioned the use of FDI data as it is applied to EMNEs (how do we track EMNE FDI  when so much is channelled via ‘phantom’ companies in offshore tax havens and financial centres?); explored comparative outcomes of intangible asset growth for EMNEs undertaking different types of asset seeking FDI. These are a few of the areas we have researched. There are still so many more interesting questions and fruitful opportunities to answer these – so we welcome future researchers to contact us to discuss their ideas with a view to undertaking further studies. We welcome both qualitative and quantitative research approaches. 

Members

Prof Dylan Sutherland 

Prof Roberta Aguzzoli

Prof Xinming He 

Prof Joseph Amankwah-Amoah (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0383-5831)

References

Adomako, S., Shenkar, O., X. Liu, Amankwah-Amoah, J., M. Ahsan (2025). Editorial On Doing Business In Africa: Navigating Opportunities And Challenges In Africa’s Emerging Markets. Journal of International Management, 30(5): 101189. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.intman.2024.101189

Adomako, S., Gyensare, M.A., Amankwah-Amoah, J., Akhtar, P., & Hussain, N. (2024). Tackling Grand Societal Challenges: Understanding When and How Reverse Engineering Fosters Frugal Product Innovation in an Emerging Market. Journal of Product Innovation Management. 41(2): 211-235. https://doi.org/10.1111/jpim.12678  

Zhao, S, He, X, Ma, B, and Zuo, W, 2024, Customer Concentration, Firm R&D Investment and Moderation Effects, Journal of Business Research, 186: 115009. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2024.115009

Amankwah-Amoah, J. (2023). Burning Issues: Unraveling The Nexus Between Dysfunctional Institutions and Counterfeiting In Developing Countries. Social Science and Medicine. 337: 116292. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2023.116292  

Amankwah-Amoah, J., Debrah, Y.A., & Acquaah, M., (2023). Business Failures In Institutionally Weak Environments: An Examination of Virgin Atlantic’s Failed Adventure In Sub-Saharan Africa. International Business Review. 32(5): 102146. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ibusrev.2023.102146

Liu, F, He, X, & Wang, T (2023). In the Name of The Family: The Effect of CEO Clan Culture Background on Firm Internationalization, Journal of Business Research, 161: 113837. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2023.113837

Amankwah-Amoah, J., Boso, N., & Kutsoati, J. K. (2022). Institutionalization of protection for intangible assets: Insights from the counterfeit and pirated goods trade in sub-Saharan Africa. Journal of World Business, 57(2), 101307. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jwb.2021.101307

He, X, Rizov, M, & Zhang, X (2022). Workforce Size Adjustments as A Strategic Response to Exchange Rate Shocks: A Strategy-Tripod Application to Chinese Firms, Journal of Business Research, 138: 203-213. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2021.09.013

JF Hennart, D Sutherland (2022). International business research: The real challenges are data and theory, Journal of International Business Studies. 53(9): 2068-2087. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41267-022-00566-y

Li, Y, Sousa, CMP, He, X & Hu, Y (2022). Spinning Straw into Gold: Innovation Recycling, Innovation Sourcing Modes, and Innovation Ability in Sub-Saharan Africa. Journal of Product Innovation Management, 39(5): 83-603. https://doi.org/10.1111/jpim.12643

D Sutherland, J Anderson, N Bailey, I Alon (2020). Policy, institutional fragility, and Chinese outward foreign direct investment: An empirical examination of the Belt and Road Initiative. Journal of International Business Policy, 3(3): 249-272. https://doi.org/10.1057/s42214-020-00056-8

He, X. & Zhang, J (2018). Emerging-Market Multinationals’ Foreign Acquisition Completion: Institutional Image and Strategies, Journal of Business Research, 93: 139-150. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2018.04.014

Kang, Y. & He, X (2018). Institutional Forces and Environmental Management Strategy: Moderating Effects of Environmental Orientation and Innovation Capability, Management and Organization Review, 14(3): 577-605. https://doi.org/10.1017/mor.2017.56 

Geary, J., & Aguzzoli, R. (2016). Miners, politics and institutional caryatids: Accounting for the transfer of HRM practices in the Brazilian multinational enterprise. Journal of International Business Studies, 47: 968-996. https://doi.org/10.1057/jibs.2016.24

He, X, Zhang, J, & Wang, J (2015). Market Seeking Orientation and Performance in China: The Impact of Institutional Environment, Wholly Owned Structure and Firm Experience, Management International Review, 55: 389-419. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11575-014-0227-2

Aguzzoli, R., & Geary, J. (2014). An ‘emerging challenge’: The employment practices of a Brazilian multinational company in Canada. Human Relations, 67(5): 587-609. https://doi.org/10.1177/0018726713497523

Zhang, J, & He, X (2014). Economic Nationalism and Foreign Acquisition Completion: The Case of China, International Business Review, 23(1): 212-227. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ibusrev.2013.04.002