When Institutions Close Borders: Strategic Implications of Country Governance for Multinational Enterprises
Authors
Olesen, Michael Sterndorff ; Therkildsen, Martin Sørensen ; Mortensen, Nikolaj Holdt
Term
4. Semester
Publication year
2025
Submitted on
2025-05-28
Pages
122
Abstract
Denne afhandling undersøger, hvordan landes styring og institutionel politik driver de-globalisering og former re-internationaliseringsstrategier for multinationale virksomheder (MNE’er). Med en kvalitativ, komparativ analyse af Kina, USA, Rusland, Brasilien, Indien og Sydafrika fra 1900 til i dag anvendes udelukkende sekundære kilder inden for en kritisk realistisk, abduktiv tilgang. Studiet identificerer, hvordan protektionistiske tiltag, geopolitiske konflikter og forskellige styringssystemer begrænser MNE’ers aktiviteter, hvilket kan føre til markedsudtræden og øget usikkerhed. Det skitserer desuden strategiske og operationelle muligheder for genindtræden, herunder at tilpasse indtrængningsformer, håndtere institutionel distance og følge skiftende politiske og normative standarder. Afhandlingen peger på væsentlige huller i litteraturen om international business vedrørende de-globaliseringens mekanismer og deres effekter på virksomhedsbeslutninger og udvikler et konceptuelt rammeværk, der forbinder landestyring og institutionelle pres med MNE’ers beslutningstagning under re-internationalisering.
This thesis examines how country governance and institutional policy drive de-globalization and shape re-internationalization strategies for multinational enterprises (MNEs). Using a qualitative, comparative study of China, the United States, Russia, Brazil, India, and South Africa from 1900 to the present, it relies exclusively on secondary sources within a critical realist, abductive approach. The study identifies how protectionist measures, geopolitical conflicts, and differing governance systems constrain MNE operations, contributing to market exits and heightened uncertainty. It also outlines strategic and operational options for re-entry, including aligning entry modes, addressing institutional distance, and adapting to changing political and normative standards. The thesis highlights significant gaps in International Business research on de-globalization mechanisms and firm-level effects and develops a conceptual framework linking country governance and institutional pressures to MNE decision-making during re-internationalization.
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