Are multinational enterprises in retreat?
ISSN: 1525-383X
Article publication date: 5 July 2018
Issue publication date: 12 July 2018
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to contribute to the debate concerning the asserted end of the globalization process.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper is a description of the evolution of all Swedish MNEs, the 50 largest companies and the ten truly global MNEs, building on data compiled by the authors, mainly from annual reports.
Findings
The largest Swedish MNEs have continued to globalize and have at the same time improved their financial performance during the period of study, 2010-2016.
Practical implications
The proposition that multinationals are heading home cannot be confirmed in the Swedish case. There is therefore a need to compare Swedish experiences with other national examples to better generalize the findings.
Social implications
The political decisions regarding external trade and foreign direct investment should support continuous liberalization and facilitation of cross-border economic interaction.
Originality/value
As Swedish MNEs are more globalized than the average in advanced economies, this study offers insight into the contemporary internationalization process.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors would therefore welcome further studies of MNEs in other countries of the world to make comparisons with the Swedish example, presented in this paper, but also contributions to the conceptual development that is necessary to cope with new features and patterns of contemporary globalization.
Citation
Vahlne, J.-E., Ivarsson, I. and Alvstam, C.G. (2018), "Are multinational enterprises in retreat?", Multinational Business Review, Vol. 26 No. 2, pp. 94-110. https://doi.org/10.1108/MBR-04-2018-0031
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2018, Emerald Publishing Limited