ABSTRACT
We examine how ties with multiple host-country political institutions contribute to MNE subsidiary performance in countries with weak formal institutions. We suggest that forging relationships between subsidiaries and host-country government actors, local chieftains, and religious leaders generates regulative, normative, and cultural-cognitive political resources. We integrate institutional and configuration theories to argue that similarity to an ideal configuration of the three political resources contributes to MNE subsidiary performance, and that the more dysfunctional host-country institutions, the greater the impact on performance. We test our hypotheses using primary and archival data from 604 MNE subsidiaries in 23 Anglophone sub-Saharan African countries and find support for our hypotheses. In our conclusion, we discuss the wider theoretical, managerial, and public-policy implications of our findings.
Nous examinons comment les liens avec de multiples institutions politiques du pays d'accueil contribuent à la performance des filiales des entreprises multinationales (Multinational Enterprise MNE) dans les pays où les institutions formelles sont faibles. Nous suggérons que l'établissement de relations entre les filiales et les acteurs gouvernementaux, les chefs locaux et les chefs religieux du pays d'accueil génère des ressources politiques régulatrices, normatives et culturelles-cognitives. Nous intégrons les théories institutionnelles et de la configuration pour arguer que la similitude avec une configuration idéale des trois ressources politiques contribue à la performance des filiales des MNEs, et que plus les institutions du pays d'accueil sont dysfonctionnelles, plus l'impact sur la performance est important. Nous testons nos hypothèses à l'aide des données primaires et d'archives provenant de 604 filiales des MNEs dans 23 pays anglophones d'Afrique subsaharienne. Les résultats de nos tests confirment nos hypothèses. Dans notre conclusion, nous discutons des implications théoriques, managériales et de politique publique plus larges de nos résultats.
Examinamos con los lazos como múltiples instituciones en el país anfitrión contribuye al desempeño de la filial en países con instituciones formales débiles. Proponemos que forjar relaciones entre las filiales y los actores gubernamentales de los países anfitriones, los caciques locales, y los lideres religiosos genera recursos políticos regulatorios, normativos y culturales-cognitivos. Integramos las teorías institucionales y de configuración para argumentar que la similitud a una configuración ideal entre los tres recursos políticos contribuye al desempeño de las filiales, y entre más disfuncional sean las instituciones en el país anfitrión, mayor será el impacto en el desempeño. Probamos nuestras hipótesis usando datos primarios y material de archivos de 604 filiales en 23 países anglófonos de África Sub-Sahariana, y encontramos apoyo para nuestras hipótesis. En nuestra conclusión discutimos las implicaciones más generales teóricas, gerenciales y de política pública de nuestros hallazgos.
Examinamos como laços com várias instituições políticas do país anfitrião contribuem para o desempenho de subsidiárias de MNE em países com instituições formais fracas. Sugerimos que forjar relacionamentos entre subsidiárias e atores do governo do país anfitrião, chefes locais e líderes religiosos gera recursos políticos regulatórios, normativos e cultural-cognitivos. Integramos as teorias institucionais e de configuração para argumentar que a semelhança com uma configuração ideal dos três recursos políticos contribui para o desempenho da subsidiária da MNE e que quanto mais disfuncionais forem as instituições do país anfitrião, maior será o impacto no desempenho. Testamos nossas hipóteses usando dados primários e secundários de 604 subsidiárias de MNEs em 23 países de língua inglesa da África subsaariana e encontramos suporte para nossas hipóteses. Em nossa conclusão, discutimos mais amplas implicações teóricas, gerenciais e de políticas públicas de nossas descobertas.
ABSTRACT
This research develops the notion of operational resilience and investigates its relationship with operational efficiency under differing conditions of operational disruption. Operational resilience is conceptualized as a multi-dimensional construct, consisting of two theoretically distinct components (i.e., disruption absorption and recoverability), which are argued to have unique effects on operational efficiency under varying operational disruption conditions. The study's hypotheses are empirically tested on primary data from a sample of 259 firms in a sub-Saharan African economy. Using structural equation modeling as an analytical tool, the study finds that both disruption absorption and recoverability have positive effects on operational efficiency. Additionally, the study finds that while the effect of disruption absorption on operational efficiency is stronger under conditions of high operational disruption, the effect of recoverability on operational efficiency is stronger under conditions of low operational disruption. A major implication of these findings is that the nature of operational resilience and the disruption circumstances under which it is deployed shape its efficiency value, thus advancing knowledge on the nuances associated with how and when operational resilience influences operational efficiency.
