The multi-lens approach to understanding subsidiary contributory role development : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Management at Massey University, Albany, New Zealand
Loading...
Date
2018
DOI
Open Access Location
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Massey University
Rights
The Author
Abstract
The contributory role of a foreign subsidiary refers to the intra-firm international
responsibilities, through which the subsidiary contributes its firm-specific advantages to the
multinational enterprise (MNE). This thesis examines development of subsidiary
contributory role in terms of role expansion and role renewal. This research area has not been
adequately explored in depth in prior research.
The thesis addresses this research gap by grounding empirical research in multiple theories,
the insights of which have not been sufficiently used to study (but are important to
understand) this research area. These theories are the attention-based, global production
network, institutional, resource-based, and resource dependence theories. Guided by these
theories and based on the empirical data from nine case studies of foreign-owned subsidiaries
in New Zealand, the thesis has developed two theoretical frameworks, named as the
‘subsidiary role expansion’ and ‘subsidiary role renewal’ frameworks respectively.
The subsidiary role expansion framework suggests that subsidiary role expansion, which can
occur at five levels, is affected by a combination of four factors which are identified as: (i)
the parent’s positive attention; (ii) internal and external (local/global)
linkages/embeddedness of the subsidiary; (iii) institutional forces in local, internal and/or
transnational settings; and, (iv) deployment of superior resources by the subsidiary.
The subsidiary role renewal framework provides insights into the subsidiary’s renewal/
reacquisition of endangered and reallocated international responsibilities. This framework
argues that endangerment and/or reallocation of a subsidiary’s international responsibilities
results from the combined or individual effects of several factors. These factors include: (i)
the parent’s negative attention; (ii) the parent’s limited attentional capacity; (iii) the MNE’s
internal restructuring; and, (iv) subsidiary-level superior resources lacking the parent’s
recognition, lacking a mobility barrier, or failing to create the MNE’s dependence. The
framework analyses patterns of combined and individual effects of the parent’s positive
attention and the subsidiary’s deployment of superior resources on the subsidiary’s renewal
or reacquisition of endangered and reallocated international responsibilities.
These two frameworks contribute to the subsidiary development literature by providing new
insights into the development of subsidiary contributory roles. These frameworks have
practical implications for subsidiary managers, corporate executives, and public policy
makers.
Description
Keywords
Foreign subsidiaries, New Zealand, Subsidiary corporations, International business enterprises, Management