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The Emergence of Multi-sided Platform MNEs: Internalization Theory and Networks

Zeng, Jing, Khan, Zaheer, De Silva, Muthu (2019) The Emergence of Multi-sided Platform MNEs: Internalization Theory and Networks. International Business Review, 28 (6). Article Number 101598. ISSN 0969-5931. E-ISSN 0962-9262. (doi:10.1016/j.ibusrev.2019.101598) (KAR id:75353)

Abstract

The rise of the digital economy provides firms across the globe with unique business opportunities. Companies such as Facebook, Alibaba, and Uber are competing in a new multi-sided platform world; the primary focus of these firms, from their inception, is to provide digital infrastructure, information and technology—intangible assets that enable direct interaction or value creation across platforms by linking different user group and complementors, often at the international level. Building on data drawn from multinational multisided Platform corporations (MMPCs) operating in China, we combine insights from internalization theory and network effects in understanding the value creation of such firms. We explore the boundaries of these new “breed” of MNEs in exploiting firm-specific advantages (FSAs) and in creating new knowledge between headquarters and subsidiaries. The findings suggest that internalization theory needs to shift its focus from the ‘boundaries of the firm’ to the ‘boundaries of the local network’. By integrating their internal and external networks of knowledge in adapting their business models in host markets, this new breed of MNEs is more likely than the traditional one to gain a sustainable competitive advantage in the new information age.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1016/j.ibusrev.2019.101598
Uncontrolled keywords: Multi-sided platform MNEs, internalization theory, digitization, Location, networks, firm-specific advantage, emerging markets
Subjects: H Social Sciences > HF Commerce > HF5351 Business
Divisions: Divisions > Kent Business School - Division > Department of Marketing, Entrepreneurship and International Business
Depositing User: Maggie Zeng
Date Deposited: 16 Jul 2019 07:54 UTC
Last Modified: 04 Mar 2024 16:00 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/75353 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

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