International attention and multinational enterprise performance
Journal
Journal of International Business Studies
Subject
Strategy and Entrepreneurship
Publishing details
Authors / Editors
Bouquet C;Morrison A;Birkinshaw J
Biographies
Publication Year
2009
Abstract
This study examines the performance consequences of international attention, defined as the extent to which headquarters executives in the multinational enterprise (MNE) invest time and effort in activities, communications, and discussions aimed at improving their understanding of the global marketplace. Using detailed questionnaire and archival data on 135 MNEs, our analysis revealed three significant findings. First, international attention can be operationalized as a meta-construct that consists of three interrelated and reinforcing dimensions. Second, international attention has a curvilinear (inverted U-shape) relationship with MNE performance. Third, the performance benefits of international attention increase with three categories of moderating factors: the international assignment experience of top executives, the independence of value-adding activities across country locations, and the degree of industry dynamism.
Keywords
Cognition; Attention management; Internationalization; Executive skills; International experience; Multinational performance
Available on ECCH
No