What drives European multinationals to the European Union neighbouring countries? A mixed-methods analysis of Italian investment strategies

This article aims to investigate the economic integration between the European Union and its neighbouring countries by exploring the location drivers of Italian Multinational Enterprises in 33 destination countries including the New Member States of the European Union and the European Neighbouring Countries. The article compares market- and efficiency-seeking motivations with asset-seeking strategies. The analysis is based on a mixed-methods approach. The quantitative analysis assesses the location determinants of 518 Italian Multinational Enterprises that invested in the area in the years 2003–2008, whereas qualitative information on strategic location decisions is collected by means of in-depth interviews with executives in two of the largest Italian Multinational Enterprises active in the region. Market-seeking considerations are still predominant drivers of location decisions in European Union Neighbouring Countries together with resource-seeking motivations. However, different Multinational Enterprises develop diversified strategies to increase their access to these areas, which are of increasing interest for global investors.