TY - JOUR

T1 - Path dependence, MNCs and the internationalisation process: a relational approach

AU - Araujo, L M

AU - Rezende, S

PY - 2003

Y1 - 2003

N2 - In the internationalisation literature the notion of path dependence has often been associated with gradualism in the evolution of a subsidiary in its host country. In this paper, we argue that path dependence cannot be exclusively associated with gradualism nor can the evolution of a particular subsidiary be explained solely by its embeddedness in its host environment. Instead, we propose that the internationalisation trajectory of units within a multinational corporation’s network comprises a trajectory in time and space involving multiple, overlapping networks. Gradualism and discontinuities in the evolution of the units of a multinational enterprise are the outcomes of relational mechanisms interacting across different temporal and geographical contexts.

AB - In the internationalisation literature the notion of path dependence has often been associated with gradualism in the evolution of a subsidiary in its host country. In this paper, we argue that path dependence cannot be exclusively associated with gradualism nor can the evolution of a particular subsidiary be explained solely by its embeddedness in its host environment. Instead, we propose that the internationalisation trajectory of units within a multinational corporation’s network comprises a trajectory in time and space involving multiple, overlapping networks. Gradualism and discontinuities in the evolution of the units of a multinational enterprise are the outcomes of relational mechanisms interacting across different temporal and geographical contexts.

KW - Internationalisation processes

KW - Path dependence

KW - Multinationals

U2 - 10.1016/j.ibusrev.2003.09.004

DO - 10.1016/j.ibusrev.2003.09.004

M3 - Journal article

VL - 12

SP - 719

EP - 737

JO - International Business Review

JF - International Business Review

SN - 0969-5931

IS - 6

ER -