Organization and Strategy Seminar（2018-01）

Topic: What is “Chinese”about Chinese multinationals?

Speaker: Ravi Ramamurti, Northeastern University

Time: Tuesday, 06 March, 10:00-11:30 am

Location: Room 213, Guanghua Building 2

Abstract：

Buckley et al.’s (J Int Bus Studi 38(4):499–518,2007) pioneering work concluded that the determinants of outward foreign direct investment (OFDI) from China were similar to those observed in developed countries – but with a few modifications. In this commentary, we suggest continuing their effort to understand what is distinctive about Chinese multinational enterprises (CMNEs). We look for underlying explanations that are analytically useful and potentially generalizable, unlike a firm’s nationality, which is a catch-all variable with no analytical value. Based on prior research and Ramamurti (Glob Strategy J 2(1):41–47,2012a), we argue that the following variables help explain distinctive aspects of CMNE internationalization: (1) their ‘‘stage of evolution as a multinational enterprise,’’ with most CMNEs being infant MNEs rather than mature MNEs; (2) the ‘‘global context for internationalization,’’ which has helped CMNEs internationalize faster than it was possible in earlier decades; (3) ‘‘government-created advantages,’’ which complemented China’s natural endowments and for the most part improved CMNEs’ international competitiveness; and (4) ‘‘leapfrogging advantage,’’ which allowed late-mover Chinese firms to gain a competitive advantage in smokestack industries and some sunrise industries. These variables may also explain the behavior of MNEs from other emerging economies and are therefore candidates for inclusion in general models of the internationalization process.

Journal of International Business Studies (2018) 49, 34–48.

//doi.org/10.1057/s41267-017-0128-2

Introduction:

Ravi Ramamurtiis an expert on strategy and innovation in emerging markets. At Northeastern U., he is a University Distinguished Professor, which is the highest honor bestowed on faculty members. Earlier he was D’Amore-McKim Distinguished Professor of International Business & Strategy. He founded and heads the university’s Center for Emerging Markets. For over 35 years, he has studied the strategies of firms in and from emerging markets.

Professor Ramamurti obtained his BSC (Physics) from St. Stephen’s College, his MBA from the Indian Institute of Management-Ahmedabad, where he received the Gold Medal for graduating at the top of his class, and his doctorate from Harvard Business School, where he was awarded the HBS Dissertation Fellowship.

Ravi has been a visiting professor at Harvard Business School in the Business-Government-and-International-Economy area, at the Wharton School (U. of Pennsylvania) in the Management department, and at MIT-Sloan School in the Global Economics and Management Area. He has also been a visiting professor at Tufts University’s Fletcher School, CEIBS Shanghai, and IMD-Switzerland. He is a six-time winner of the ADL Prize for Professor of the Year based on his teaching.

Ravi has done research and consulting with firms and governments in more than 20 emerging markets, including Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, China, Ecuador, India, Malaysia, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Turkey. He has also been an adviser to the United Nations, USAID, and Fulbright, and was principal adviser the World Bank’s board on privatization.

Ramamurti has published several articles in leading academic journals, such as theAcademy of Management Review, Global Strategy Journal, Journal of International Business Studies, and Management Science,while also publishing in leading practitioner journals, such asHarvard Business ReviewandCalifornia Management Review.

Your participation is warmly welcomed!