TY - JOUR

T1 - Reviewing the research on the internationalization of Chinese firms

T2 - Thematic expansion, new impulses and potential future development

AU - Haasis, Timon Immanuel

AU - Liefner, Ingo

PY - 2019/2/15

Y1 - 2019/2/15

N2 - Purpose: Supplementing a previous review article on the internationalization of Chinese firms (ICF) by Deng (2012) that covers the period 1991–2010, the purpose of this paper is to examine how research on this subject has thematically expanded in recent years, systematically investigating the literature concerning the ICF between 2011 and June 2017 and highlighting the research advancements. Furthermore, it provides impulses for future research and outlines potential avenues for the overall future development of the entire ICF field. Design/methodology/approach: Based on a systematic literature review, this paper categorizes the surveys reviewed according to the organizational framework of the research on the ICF provided by Deng (2012). Findings: The results indicate that the research on the ICF has become more widespread and mature during the time period investigated. First, there are more articles examining functional management processes of Chinese firms. Consequently, new knowledge exists regarding the role, control and organization of foreign subsidiaries of Chinese enterprises and their host country institutional integration. Second, the state of knowledge regarding the implications of the ICF has increased. It is argued that the future convergence or divergence of the Chinese economic system determines the overall future development of research on the ICF. Originality/value: This is the first review paper in the emerging ICF field that consciously continues the work of a previous review article, enabling the tracing of the thematic expansion of research on the ICF.

AB - Purpose: Supplementing a previous review article on the internationalization of Chinese firms (ICF) by Deng (2012) that covers the period 1991–2010, the purpose of this paper is to examine how research on this subject has thematically expanded in recent years, systematically investigating the literature concerning the ICF between 2011 and June 2017 and highlighting the research advancements. Furthermore, it provides impulses for future research and outlines potential avenues for the overall future development of the entire ICF field. Design/methodology/approach: Based on a systematic literature review, this paper categorizes the surveys reviewed according to the organizational framework of the research on the ICF provided by Deng (2012). Findings: The results indicate that the research on the ICF has become more widespread and mature during the time period investigated. First, there are more articles examining functional management processes of Chinese firms. Consequently, new knowledge exists regarding the role, control and organization of foreign subsidiaries of Chinese enterprises and their host country institutional integration. Second, the state of knowledge regarding the implications of the ICF has increased. It is argued that the future convergence or divergence of the Chinese economic system determines the overall future development of research on the ICF. Originality/value: This is the first review paper in the emerging ICF field that consciously continues the work of a previous review article, enabling the tracing of the thematic expansion of research on the ICF.

KW - China

KW - Chinese multinational firms

KW - Greenfield investments

KW - Internationalization

KW - Mergers and acquisitions

KW - Outward foreign direct investment

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85060246819&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1108/IJoEM-03-2017-0094

DO - 10.1108/IJoEM-03-2017-0094

M3 - Review article

AN - SCOPUS:85060246819

VL - 14

SP - 24

EP - 50

JO - International Journal of Emerging Markets

JF - International Journal of Emerging Markets

SN - 1746-8809

IS - 1

ER -