• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.205-215
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• 2020

The purpose of this paper is to empirically analyze the determinants of foreign subsidiary's local embeddedness because it is critically important for the subsidiary to build a variegated local network. This paper suggests that a MNC's global capability, the degree of autonomy granted by the headquarters of the multinational corporation to its foreign subsidiary, the foreign subsidiary's absorptive capacity based on local environment, and its level of localization will affect the subsidiary's local network embeddedness. The empirical analysis confirmed that when the headquarters gives the foreign subsidiary more autonomy, this has a positive effect on the local embeddedness of the foreign subsidiary and when the foreign subsidiary has a strong absorptive capacity, this has a positive correlation with the local embeddedness of the foreign subsidiary. And this paper found that when the foreign subsidiary has achieved a high level of staff localization, this foreign subsidiary will have a higher level of local embeddedness. This study identified the preceding conditions necessary for a foreign subsidiary of a multinational corporation to effectively embed itself in the local network by analyzing factors related to the multinational corporation's headquarters and subsidiaries, and thus contributes significantly to continued research on the local embeddedness of subsidiaries.

• Korea Trade Review
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.221-237
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• 2019

Multinational corporations (MNCs) usually face indigenous business environments in host countries which are different from a home country's. In this circumstance, MNCs would accomplish low-investing performance if they pursuit the same as the home oriented business strategy in the host country. The more different kinds of specialized environments a host countries have, the more pressure of modifying the international strategy needed for MNCs. This paper examines that how a different market environment between a home country and a host country, through MNC's local responsive managements, can influence investing performance in a host country. This paper conducts structural equation analyses with collected empirical data focusing upon a MNC's market orientation efforts and the realization of management localization (i.e., increasing local sourcing intensity or local sales intensity) as mediators between the specialized environment in a host country and the MNC's investing performance. This paper has several contributions in developing the prior approaches: first, the market orientation variables are regarded not as normal independent factors but mediators; second, two step mediation model is examined to make link between host market's heterogeneity and MNC's performance.

• Journal of Korea Trade
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• v.24 no.8
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• pp.189-206
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• 2020

Purpose - This paper attempted to verify the process by which a multinational corporation (MNC)'s subsidiary practices entrepreneurship to create effective knowledge (KC) in the local market. We have looked at whether subsidiary entrepreneurship (SENT) has a moderation effect in creating knowledge for the local market when a subsidiary has been given autonomy (AUT) from the headquarters (HQ). We also argue that when a subsidiary creates meaningful knowledge, the effect of the increased status by the HQ within the MNC network position (NP) has an indirect effect on whether knowledge is transferred to other overseas subsidiaries (KTO). Design/methodology - This paper used a structural equation model (SEM) of 282 effective foreign companies invested in Korea. To test the hypothesis about the process of SENT on KTO, descriptive statistics, confirmatory factor analysis, reliability, convergent and discriminant validities, and common method bias were analyzed using STATA. In addition, the moderation effect was verified along with SEM. The moderation effect of AUT on SENT and KC was presented graphically by confirming \mathrm{\pm1} standard deviation of AUT for the main effect. Findings - Our findings are as follows. First, while the hypothesis about the direct effect of SENT and KC on KTO was not supported, all other hypotheses were supported. Second, both the AUT and moderating effect and the indirect effect of NP were significant. In the conclusion, these findings are discussed in relation to its various theoretical and practical implications. Originality/value - This study attempted to contribute to the knowledge creation theory of MNC by contemplating how subsidiaries can move away from HQ and grow in the local market. Although there is still a shortage of foreign investment in the Korean market, our practical implications offer guidance for how current subsidiaries can develop more than other overseas subsidiaries.

• Knowledge Management Research
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.1-13
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• 2013

This study investigates how relational activities within MNC network affect knowledge transfer and performance of subsidiary. We separated the possible relationships between headquarter and overseas subsidiaries by support level, interaction level, and conflict level, and compared the impact on knowledge transfer, and performance. To understand the knowledge sharing, development and performance, we use structural equation modeling to analyze data from subsidiaries in China.

• International Area Studies Review
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.275-301
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• 2011

This study examines antecedent factors that influence subsidiaries' MNC (multinational corporation) knowledge adoption. I argue that subsidiary local environmental factors(local embeddedness, level of local competition), subsidiary organizational factors(parent investment, subsidiary CEO expatriation, scope of subsidiary value chain), and subsidiary relational factors(subsidiary autonomy, the strength of subsidiary in MNC, social capital) are the important enablers for subsidiaries to adopt knowledge from other MNC units. Especially, I use two data set (knowledge from (1) peer subsidiaries, (2) parent company) to estimate the effect of the factors. The results indicate that subsidiary local embeddedness and scope of subsidiary value chain negatively influence on subsidiary knowledge adoption from peer subsidiaries. Conversely, the strength of subsidiary in MNC and social capital positively influence on that. Subsidiary knowledge adoption from parent company is positively influenced by parent investment and social capital.

• Korea Trade Review
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.137-155
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• 2020

The purpose of this study is to examine the antecedents and consequences of host country managers (HCMs)' acculturative stress in multinational corporation (MNC) subsidiaries in Korea. We suggest that HCMs' national identification (NI) positively and organizational identification (OI) negatively influence on the HCMs' acculturative stress. In addition, we propose that HCMs' OI negatively moderate the relationship between HCMs' NI and acculturative stress. Moreover, we hypothesize a negative relationship between HCMs' acculturative stress and work engagement. To test these hypotheses, we performed hierarchical regression analysis and mediation analysis of 643 HCMs in 60 MNC subsidiaries that originate from 11 countries. Results of analyses revealed that all the hypotheses were supported except H1 (positive relationship between HCMs' NI and acculturative stress). The present findings provide theoretical and managerial implications, and we provide suggestion for future research.

• Journal of East Asia Management
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.1-19
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• 2022

This study suggests an integrated theoretical framework for the relationship between political risk and multinational corporation (MNC) subsidiary's performance in the emerging market. The political risk would have a negative impact on MNC subsidiary's performance in the emerging countries that are developing in Asia, the Commonwealth of Independent States, Africa, and South America. The major reason is that political risks could generate a loss of benefit or a loss of control for MNC's subsidiary. In this study, I suggest that corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategy would be a solution to overcome various political risks. Specifically, the affiliated firms with diversified industries or greater financial resources could mitigate the negative impact of political risk than unaffiliated firms. Because they can use their tangible or nontangible asset such as information, technology, and construction in order to gain legitimacy and trust from local government, local community, and local firms in the emerging market. Finally, I claimed the costs of the affiliated firms would exceed the benefits at the initial stages, while the benefits of affiliated firms would exceed the costs over time when political risks become higher. The reason is that the trust gained from local stakeholders accumulates over time and the impact of CSR strategy would become an important solution to overcome the risks in and unstable context.

• International Area Studies Review
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.309-340
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• 2009

Multinational Corporations (MNCs) are increasingly establishing globally-distributed R&D (Research and Development) centers in which sites around the world work collaboratively to develop new manufacturing and product technologies. Following new globalization strategies, these projects more often include sites in Emerging/Newly Industrializing Economies (E/NIEs). The success of these ventures promises to be increasingly important both for the bottom line of MNCs and for the development ambitions of E/NIEs. This study attempts to identify these trends and to compare R&D transfer between Korea and China. The study identifies specific factors on MNC's R&D transfer and compares those operating factors between the R&D centers in Korea and China, which attract many MNCs in the world. Among those eight dimensions relating to MNCs' operation, there are significant differences in site selection, market characteristics, government support, and R&D networking between Korea and China. The analysis show more positive factors on China than Korea regarding R&D operations. The result will be helpful for both MNC's managers and governments' decision makers with respect to R&D transfer.

• Knowledge Management Research
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.111-121
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• 2011

Multinational Corporations (MNCs) are establishing globally-distributed R&D centers around the world. Firms can overcome resource constraints and achieve superior innovative performance not only by using internal resources but also acquiring knowledge from oversea R&D centers. This paper explores the key factors that have been cited as significant influences on the ability to transfer knowledge, an important area of knowledge management of MNCs. Also, we identify the emerging outcomes in terms of R&D transfer and for the education, employment, and retention of knowledge works in MNCs. The result will be helpful for both MNC's managers and governments' decision makers with respect to R&D centers.

• THE INTERNATIONAL COMMERCE & LAW REVIEW
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• v.18
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• pp.159-188
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• 2002

International joint ventures are usually formed and managed by domestic companies and foreign investors for the common objectives. They offer an opportunity for each partner to benefit significantly from the comparative advantages of the other. Local partners bring knowledge of the domestic market; familiarity with government bureaucracies and regulations; understanding of local labor markets; and existing manufacturing facilities. Foreign partners can offer advanced process and product technologies, management know-how, and access to export markets. In Korea, joint ventures have been encouraged to usher in foreign investors with foreign currency capital badly needed during the IMF financial crisis. In the meantime, Korean laws and regulations with respect to joint ventures have been largely overhauled to promote foreign direct investment (FDI) both inbound and outbound. They include four types of FDI, i.e., acquisition of foreign stocks, provision of long-term loans, participation in joint operations like resources development, and establishment of foreign offices. From the legal point of view, the formal joint venture agreement must be an offspring of a series of tough negotiations between domestic and foreign partners. They usually stress the long-term relationship with the good will and dedication to each other, and restrict the free transfer of stocks. Both partners are earnestly interested in the ownership and management of the joint venture. So they keep a close eye on the articles of incorporation, changes of business environment, conflict resolution methods, transparency of accounting and other financial matters. When a multinational corporation (MNC) is involved in the joint venture, conflicts over management strategies, marketing and other issues take place more often than not between the MNC and local partners. We have to pay attention to joint ventures, particularly, in China and North Korea. As witnessed in other transition economies, China is eagerly bringing in foreign direct investments for the development of nation's economy. China encourages foreign investors to establish ordinary joint ventures, contractual joint ventures, solely invested foreign capital companies and jointly operated development companies with local partners. In North Korea, however, joint ventures have a different meaning like contractual joint ventures in China, in which North Korean partners have an initiative in the management. Rather, jointly operated companies or simply processing-for-wage companies are recommended in view of the unpredictable legal infrastructure in North Korea.