Inertia and change in multinational enterprise subsidiary capabilities: an evolutionary economic geography framework

Nicholas Phelps and Cris Fuller

Journal of Economic Geography, 2016, vol. 16, issue 1, 109-130

Abstract: In this article we argue for a process-centred use of the dynamic capabilities-based view of evolution in multinational enterprise (MNE) subsidiary capabilities. In particular, we consider changes in the scale, scope and specialisation of resources and capabilities at subsidiaries over time by drawing on Dodgshon’s (1998) study of change in empires and societal systems. Following Dodgshon, we classify changes at MNE subsidiaries into processes of (i) expansion or contraction, (ii) reduction, (iii) involution, (iv) aggregation upwards and outwards, (v) accretion and (vi) replacement/substitution, illustrating this framework with reference to the extant literature. We suggest that the potential of this framework lies, in part, in its embrace of both change and inertia within MNEs and at their subsidiaries. It is important to consider both change and inertia if we are to understand the implications of MNE subsidiary evolution national and subnational economic development policy.

Date: 2016
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