Dealing with headquarters in the multinational corporation: a subsidiary perspective on organizing costs

被引:20
作者
Lunnan, Randi [1 ]
Tomassen, Sverre [1 ]
Andersson, Ulf [1 ,2 ]
Benito, Gabriel R. G. [1 ]
机构
[1] BI Norwegian Business Sch, Dept Strategy & Entrepreneurship, Nydalsveien 37, N-0484 Oslo, Norway
[2] Malardalen Univ, Sch Business Soc & Engn, Hogskoleplan 1, S-72123 Vasteras, Sweden
关键词
Headquarter-subsidiary relations; Organizing costs; Coordination; Distance; Atmosphere; FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENTS; KNOWLEDGE FLOWS; AGENCY PERSPECTIVE; TRANSACTION COSTS; GOVERNANCE COSTS; ORGANIZATION; MNC; COORDINATION; STRATEGY; FIRM;
D O I
10.1186/s41469-019-0052-y
中图分类号
F [经济];
学科分类号
02 ;
摘要
This study examines how subsidiaries in multinational corporations (MNCs) experience interactions with corporate headquarters. We conceptualize such interactions in terms of organizing costs, focusing on two key types of costs: bargaining costs and information costs. Specifically, we examine how distance, coordination mechanisms, and atmosphere influence the level of organizing costs in the headquarter-subsidiary relationship. Using survey data collected among 104 subsidiary managers in two MNCs, we show that relationship atmosphere significantly reduces both types of organizing costs, whereas distance increases bargaining costs. We also find that centralization and formalization reduce information costs, whereas social integration, contrary to our hypothesis, increases bargaining costs.
引用
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页数:24
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