Commentary The changing dynamics of headquarters–subsidiary relations: Toward greater system flexibility

Abstract

Taken together, these three chapters cover three important building blocks in the effective management of headquarters–subsidiary relations: corporate structure, executive attention, and resource allocation. A common theme across the three chapters is their focus on system flexibility and how this can be achieved for the MNE. Specifically, their research suggests that through the use of matrix structures coupled with conflict resolution training for managers, promoting subsidiary initiatives and profile building to capture headquarters attention, and allocating resources with limited committedness to foreign operations would enable the MNE to better scan and respond to a fast-changing external environment. This system flexibility is particularly important for MNEs that adopt the differentiated network model, which among other things, requires subsidiaries to share knowledge and resources in the formulation and implementation of company-wide response actions as demanded by the circumstance.

Citation

Cheng, J.L.C. (2009), "Commentary The changing dynamics of headquarters–subsidiary relations: Toward greater system flexibility", Cheng, J.L.C., Maitland, E. and Nicholas, S. (Ed.) Managing, Subsidiary Dynamics: Headquarters Role, Capability Development, and China Strategy (Advances in International Management, Vol. 22), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 85-90. https://doi.org/10.1108/S1571-5027(2009)0000022008