How Well Do Supra-National Regional Grouping Schemes Fit International Business Research Models?

Journal of International Business Studies, 2013, Forthcoming

46 Pages Posted: 22 Apr 2013

See all articles by Ricardo G. Flores

Ricardo G. Flores

UNSW Australia Business School, School of Management

Ruth V. Aguilera

Northeastern University - Department of International Business and Strategy

Arash Mahdian

Independent

Paul M. Vaaler

University of Minnesota, Twin Cities - Law School and Carlson School of Management

Date Written: April 22, 2013

Abstract

International business (“IB”) research has long acknowledged the importance of supra-national regional factors in building models to explain phenomena such as where multinational corporations (“MNCs”) choose to locate. Yet, criteria for defining regions based on similar factors vary substantially, thus undermining consensus regarding which regional grouping schemes fit IB research models better. In response, we develop and empirically validate a theory of comparative regional scheme assessment for model-building purposes assuming that: 1) schemes can be classified based on their source of similarity; and 2) schemes within the same similarity class can be assessed for their structural coherence based on group contiguity and compactness. Schemes with better structural coherence will also exhibit better fit with IB research models. We document support for our theory in comparative analyses of regional schemes used to explain where US-based MNCs locate operations around the world. Geography-, culture- and trade and investment-based schemes with better structural coherence exhibit better initial fit with MNC location models and less change in fit after modest scheme refinement using a simulated annealing optimization algorithm. Our approach provides criteria for comparing similar regional grouping schemes and identifying “best-in-class” schemes tailored to models of MNC location choice and other IB research models.

Keywords: Theory-method intersection, multinational corporations, foreign direct investment, regional strategy or strategies, simulation

JEL Classification: M19

Suggested Citation

Flores, Ricardo G. and Aguilera, Ruth V. and Mahdian, Arash and Vaaler, Paul M., How Well Do Supra-National Regional Grouping Schemes Fit International Business Research Models? (April 22, 2013). Journal of International Business Studies, 2013, Forthcoming, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2254788

Ricardo G. Flores (Contact Author)

UNSW Australia Business School, School of Management ( email )

Gate 11, Botany Street, Randwick
Sydney, NSW 2052
Australia

HOME PAGE: http://www.asb.unsw.edu.au/schools/Pages/RicardoFlores.aspx

Ruth V. Aguilera

Northeastern University - Department of International Business and Strategy ( email )

Boston, MA 02115
United States

Arash Mahdian

Independent ( email )

Paul M. Vaaler

University of Minnesota, Twin Cities - Law School and Carlson School of Management ( email )

229 19th Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55455
United States
612-625-4951 (Phone)
612-626-1316 (Fax)

HOME PAGE: http://carlsonschool.umn.edu/faculty/paul-vaaler

Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?

Paper statistics

Downloads
40
Abstract Views
1,138
PlumX Metrics