Abstract

Keywords

۱٫ Introduction

۲٫ Research methodology

۳٫ Research themes

۴٫ Market entry and internationalization

۵٫ Political strategy

۶٫ Multinational technology and innovation strategies

۷٫ Multinational CSR

۸٫ Multinational headquarters–subsidiary relationships

۹٫ International HRM

۱۰٫ Future research directions

۱۱٫ Conclusion

Appendix A. Supplementary data

References

Abstract

We review and analyze the growing body of literature that addresses the institutional context of international strategy. By examining articles in eleven major journals from January 2008 to July 2020, we identify six major categories of international strategies and implementation approaches: market entry and internationalization, political strategies, multinational technology and innovation, multinational corporate social responsibility, multinational headquarters and subsidiary relationships, and international human resources management. A parallel analysis of the relevant institutional variables categorizes institutions into eight types: economic institutions, political institutions, regulatory institutions, normative institutions, administrative institutions, cultural/cognitive institutions, demographic institutions, and knowledge institutions. These eight categories allow us to contextualize the institutional environment in which the six international strategies and implementation approaches are employed.

۱٫ Introduction

Attempts to identify and understand the influence of institutions on international strategies started gaining traction in the 1990s (Dunning and Lundan, 2008). The number of studies on this topic has grown exponentially since then. Indeed, institutional differences between host and home countries are considered to be significant factors in the formulation and implementation of international strategies (Hennart and Larimo, 1998; Kostova, 1999; Shenkar et al., 2008; Xu and Shenkar, 2002). Studies in this area generally examine and deepen our understanding of specific institutions, international strategies, and/or research settings. However, comparing and contrasting these research findings across disciplinary boundaries, geographic locations, and/or temporal periods often uncovers contradictions and discontinuities.