Locational boundness of resource, compatibility of production, and downside risks of multinationality

Research Summary

We extend the multinational operational flexibility literature by examining how the characteristics of resources and capabilities within a portfolio of international investments affect its downside risks. We postulate that non-location bound resources and capabilities within an international investment portfolio are crucial to reducing switching costs and enhancing cross-country switchability, thus curbing downside risks. Our large sample of Korean multinational corporations reveals that globally sourced production inputs or more technological capabilities help curb downside risks, while locally sourced inputs or more marketing capabilities do not. We additionally find that the positive effect of less locational boundness is more salient when the portfolio has a high product relatedness or standardization.

Managerial Summary

This study provides some managerial implications for international business managers. The findings suggest that the downside risk reduction effect of multinationality varies by heterogeneous resource and production conditions. They indicate that the locational boundness embedded in marketing capability, technological capability, and product type affects cross-border switchability. IB managers make strategic decisions on resource and product types for their overseas manufacturing subsidiaries in the configuration and coordination processes of their internationalization to maximize multinational operational flexibility. A more effective alignment of resources and capabilities with the strategic intent of boosting geographic fungibility facilitates effective production shifts within the same production network.