Globalization and innovation with Chinese characteristics: the case of the automotive industry

Claudio Petti, Francesca Spigarelli, Ping Lv and Mario Biggeri

International Journal of Emerging Markets, 2019, vol. 16, issue 2, 303-322

Abstract: Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to analyze the internationalization of Chinese new global players through innovation-oriented Mergers and Acquisitions (M&As). Design/methodology/approach - The paper combines the analysis of East-Asian and Chinese multinationals’ international expansion within international business (IB) and innovation domains, with the “latecomer” perspective. It is a conceptual contribution, based on the role of local institutions and firm’s absorptive capacity. A theoretical framework is developed, and further elucidated with two illustrative cases of Chinese M&As abroad in the automotive sector. Implications for theoretical development and practical application are then drawn. Findings - Chinese firms’ M&As abroad have become one of the preferential modes of developing innovation capabilities. The success of these endeavors is argued to be the result of a combination of a strong push from government industrial policies, along with significant internal knowledge assimilation and transformation capabilities. Originality/value - The paper extends IB literature integrating the latecomer firms’ perspective within a novel conceptual framework, which adds to the traditional resource-based arguments about incumbent MNEs asset and knowledge-seeking internationalization modes, as well as institutional and multi-dimensional absorptive capacity perspectives.

Keywords: Chinese multinationals; International mergers and acquisitions; Innovation catch-up; F23; L62; O32; G34 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eme:ijoemp:ijoem-02-2018-0111

DOI: 10.1108/IJOEM-02-2018-0111

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