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Competitive Dynamics between Multinational Enterprises and Local Internet Platform Companies in the Virtual Market in China

Zeng, Jing, Glaister, Keith W. (2015) Competitive Dynamics between Multinational Enterprises and Local Internet Platform Companies in the Virtual Market in China. British Journal of Management, 27 (3). pp. 479-496. ISSN 1045-3172. E-ISSN 1467-8551. (doi:10.1111/1467-8551.12136) (The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided) (KAR id:57807)

The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided.
Official URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/1467-8551.12136

Abstract

We adopt the dynamic capability perspective and the institutional view as the guiding theoretical lenses to explain the relative performance of foreign internet platform companies (IPCs) operating in China. Based on data obtained from 51 interviews a multiple-case-study approach is adopted, with representative matched cases between foreign IPCs, including Google, eBay, Amazon and Groupon, and local IPCs. The findings highlight the unique characteristics of the IPCs and the Chinese context that challenge assumptions prevailing in the literature of the applicability of firm-specific advantages in determining a sustainable competitive advantage. We highlight the dynamic capabilities of the firm, such as flexibility and experimentation, in contributing to sustainable competitive advantage. Further, rather than focusing on firm-specific resources, we find that the active agency of the firm can approach institutions as resources through external links with diversified institutional players, which is crucial for multinational enterprise IPCs to develop sustainable competitive advantage. Drawing on the findings we present a number of propositions and implications for theory and practice.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1111/1467-8551.12136
Uncontrolled keywords: dynamic capability perspective; institutional view; internet platform companies
Subjects: H Social Sciences
Divisions: Divisions > Kent Business School - Division > Kent Business School (do not use)
Depositing User: Maggie Zeng
Date Deposited: 07 Oct 2016 10:54 UTC
Last Modified: 17 Aug 2022 11:01 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/57807 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

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