Is certification an effective legitimacy strategy for foreign firms in emerging markets?
Zhang,Jianhong Jiang,Jiangang Noorderhaven,Niels
Zhang,Jianhong
Jiang,Jiangang
Noorderhaven,Niels
Abstract
This study explores the effect of certification on profitability in a transition economy. Obtaining a certification is a strategic legitimacy action that positively affects a firm's profitability, specifically for a foreign firm in a transition economy, where institutions are less developed and stable. However, we argue that certification is particularly effective if legitimacy based on adaptation to local circumstances is weak. An analysis of data from 319 MNE subsidiaries in China over the period 1998-2009 largely supports our hypotheses. Certification is an effective strategic action which improves profitability. However, the strength of this effect is influenced by the level of marketization of the host region, the institutional quality in the home country, the density of the foreign firm community in the host country, the number of years the foreign firm has been in the host country, and the size of the foreign firm. These findings throw light on the role certification can play in helping firms overcome the liability of foreignness in a transition economy.
Description
Date
2019-04
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Research Projects
Organizational Units
Journal Issue
Keywords
Certification, Legitimacy, Emerging economies, Multinational corporations
Citation
Zhang, J, Jiang, J & Noorderhaven, N 2019, 'Is certification an effective legitimacy strategy for foreign firms in emerging markets?', International Business Review, vol. 28, no. 2, pp. 252-267. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ibusrev.2018.09.003