跨国公司内部嵌入性对海外子公司绩效的影响：多重子公司角色的视角

摘要/Abstract

摘要： 海外子公司绩效问题在中国企业大规模“走出去”的背景下已成为国际商务研究关注的焦点，但内部嵌入性在绩效提升的过程中扮演着何种角色，已有研究并未得出统一的结论。鉴于嵌入性悖论，本研究从内部嵌入性类型出发，探讨行政嵌入和知识嵌入对海外子公司绩效的不同影响，并检验过度控制和子公司角色对上述关系的调节作用。运用SPSS21.0对167家中国跨国公司和197家海外子公司的双向配对数据进行实证检验，结果表明：①知识嵌入显著提升了海外子公司绩效，而行政嵌入则会降低海外子公司绩效；②过度控制削弱行政嵌入对海外子公司绩效的不利影响，而强化知识嵌入对海外子公司绩效的促进作用；③行政嵌入对创新型子公司绩效的负向影响更显著，而知识嵌入对贡献型子公司绩效的正向影响更显著；④过度控制对知识嵌入的调节作用在贡献型子公司中更积极，而对行政嵌入的调节作用在创新型和贡献型子公司中没有显著差别。研究结论对指导中国跨国公司依据不同子公司角色构建适宜的母子公司关系和治理机制，进而不断改善海外子公司绩效具有实践意义。

关键词: 海外子公司绩效, 行政嵌入, 知识嵌入, 过度控制, 子公司角色

Abstract: More and more Chinese firms are reaching out overseas and the performance of their foreign subsidiaries has become a focus of international business research. However, the existing studies have not reached a consistent conclusion on the effect of internal embeddedness on foreign subsidiary performance. In order to resolve the embeddedness paradox, this study explores the different impacts of administrative embeddedness and knowledge embeddedness on foreign subsidiary performance, and further examines the moderating roles of excess control and subsidiary roles. We employ SPSS21.0 to empirically test a matching data including 197 foreign subsidiaries from 167 Chinese multinational firms. The results reveal that: (1) administrative embeddedness negatively affects foreign subsidiary performance, but knowledge embeddedness positively affects foreign subsidiary performance; (2) as the degree of excess control grows, the negative effect of administrative embeddedness on foreign subsidiary performance becomes weaker and the positive effect of knowledge embeddedness on foreign subsidiary performance becomes stronger; (3) administrative embeddedness has a more significant negative impact on the performance of innovation-oriented foreign subsidiaries, and knowledge embeddedness has a more significant positive impact on the performance of contribution-oriented foreign subsidiaries; and (4) the moderating effect of excess control in the relationship between knowledge embeddedness and foreign subsidiary performance is more positive for contribution-oriented subsidiaries, while its moderating effect in the relationship between administrative embeddedness and foreign subsidiary performance is not significantly different for innovation-oriented and contribution-oriented subsidiaries. These results can help Chinese multinational firms to formulate appropriate parent-subsidiary relationship and governance mechanism based on different foreign subsidiary roles, so as to improve their foreign subsidiary performance.

Key words: foreign subsidiary performance, administrative embeddedness, knowledge embeddedness, excess control, subsidiary roles

徐琦琦, 王雷, 刘璐. 跨国公司内部嵌入性对海外子公司绩效的影响：多重子公司角色的视角[J]. 管理评论, 2025, 37(1): 217-228.

Xu Qiqi, Wang Lei, Liu Lu. Impact of a Multinational Firm’s Internal Embeddedness on the Performance of Its Foreign Subsidiaries: The Perspective of Subsidiary Roles[J]. Management Review, 2025, 37(1): 217-228.

参考文献

[1] 李梅,余天骄. 研发国际化和母公司创新绩效:文献评述和未来研究展望[J]. 管理评论, 2020,32(10):106-119 Li M., Yu T. J. R&D International and Parent Firm Innovation Performance:A Literature Review and Future Research Prospects[J]. Management Review, 2020,32(10):106-119
[2] Piperopoulos P., Wu J., Wang C. Q. Outward FDI, Location Choices and Innovation Performance of Emerging Market Enterprises[J]. Research Policy, 2018,47(1):232-240
[3] 谭云清,翟森竞. 关系嵌入、资源获取与中国OFDI企业国际化绩效[J]. 管理评论, 2020,32(2):29-39 Tan Y. Q., Zhai S. J. Relational Embeddedness, Resources Acquisition and OFDI Firms' International Performance[J]. Management Review, 2020,32(2):29-39
[4] 林花,彭倩,林肇宏. 中国企业海外子公司绩效研究:基于社会网络和制度视角[J]. 国际贸易问题, 2019,(9):133-146 Lin H., Peng Q., Lin Z. H. Investigating the Performance of Overseas Subsidiaries of Chinese Enterprises:From the Perspective of Social Network and Institution[J]. Journal of International Trade, 2019,(9):133-146
[5] 肖宵,林珊珊,李青,等. 知识距离和制度距离对新兴经济体企业创新追赶的影响研究——企业特征的双重调节作用[J]. 管理评论, 2021,33(10):115-129 Xiao X., Lin S. S., Li Q., et al. Research on the Influence of Knowledge Distance and Institutional Distance on Innovation Catch-up of Emerging Market Multinational Enterprise:The Double Moderating Effect of Enterprise Characteristics[J]. Management Review, 2021,33(10):115-129
[6] He S., Khan Z., Shenkar O. Subsidiary Capability Upgrading Under Emerging Market Acquirers[J]. Journal of World Business, 2018,53(2):248-262
[7] Awate S., Larsen M. M., Mudambi R. Accessing vs Sourcing Knowledge:A Comparative Study of R&D Internationalization between Emerging and Advanced Economy Firms[J]. Journal of International Business Studies, 2015,46(1):63-86
[8] 蒲明,毕克新. 内部嵌入性、学习过程与跨国子公司发展研究[J]. 中国软科学, 2017,(4):132-140 Pu M., Bi K. X. Internal Embeddedness, Learning Process and Subsidiary Development[J]. China Soft Science, 2017,(4):132-140
[9] Ferraris A., Bogers M. L. A. M., Bresciani S. Subsidiary Innovation Performance:Balancing External Knowledge Sources and Internal Embeddedness[J]. Journal of International Management, 2020,26(4):100794
[10] Liu X., Gao L., Lu J., et al. Environmental Risks, Localization and the Overseas Subsidiary Performance of MNEs from an Emerging Economy[J]. Journal of World Business, 2016,51(3):356-368
[11] 魏江,杨洋. 跨越身份的鸿沟:组织身份不对称与整合战略选择[J]. 管理世界, 2018,34(6):140-156 Wei J., Yang Y. Bridging the Chasm between Identities:Identity Asymmetry and Post-acquisition Integration Strategy[J]. Journal of Management World, 2018,34(6):140-156
[12] Decreton B., Nell P. C., Stea D. Headquarters Involvement, Socialization, and Entrepreneurial Behaviors in MNC Subsidiaries[J]. Long Range Planning, 2019,52(4):101839
[13] Asakawa K., Park Y., Song J., et al. Internal Embeddedness, Geographic Distance, and Global Knowledge Sourcing by Overseas Subsidiaries[J]. Journal of International Business Studies, 2018,49(6):684-705
[14] Ferner A. The Underpinnings of 'Bureaucratic' Control Systems:HRM in European Multinationals[J]. Journal of Management Studies, 2000,37(4):521-540
[15] Nielsen B. B. The Role of Knowledge Embeddedness in the Creation of Synergies in Strategic Alliances[J]. Journal of Business Research, 2005,58(9):1194-1204
[16] Cui L., Meyer K. E., Hu H. W. What Drives Firms' Intent to Seek Strategic Assets by Foreign Direct Investment? A Study of Emerging Economy Firms[J]. Journal of World Business, 2014,49(4):488-501
[17] Jara M., López-Iturriaga F. J., Torres J. P. Firm Value and Pyramidal Structures:New Evidence for Family Firms[J]. Journal of World Business, 2021,127:399-412
[18] Gama M. A. B., Bandeira-de-Mello R. The Effect of Affiliation Structure on the Performance of Pyramidal Business Groups[J]. Journal of Business Research, 2021,124:24-37
[19] Lee J. Y., Jiménez A., Bhandari K. R. Subsidiary Roles and Dual Knowledge Flows between MNE Subsidiaries and Headquarters:The Moderating Effects of Organizational Governance Types[J]. Journal of Business Research, 2020,108:188-200
[20] Ambos B., Schlegelmilch B. B. Innovation and Control in the Multinational Firm:A Comparison of Political and Contingency Approaches[J]. Strategic Management Journal, 2007,28(5):473-486
[21] Cantwell J. A. Mudambi R. MNE Competence Creating Subsidiary Mandates[J]. Strategic Management Journal, 2005,26(12):1109-1128
[22] Rabbiosi L. Subsidiary Roles and Reverse Knowledge Transfer:An Investigation of the Effects of Coordination Mechanisms[J]. Journal of International Management, 2011,17(2):97-113
[23] Albis N., Alvarez I., García A. The Impact of External, Internal, and Dual Relational Embeddedness on the Innovation Performance of Foreign Subsidiaries:Evidence from a Developing Country[J]. Journal of International Management, 2021,27(4):100854
[24] Song J., Asakawa K., Chu Y. What Determines Knowledge Sourcing from Host Locations of Overseas R&D Operations? A Study of Global R&D Activities of Japanese Multinationals[J]. Research Policy, 2011,40(3):380-390
[25] Andersson U., Björkman I., Forsgren M. Managing Subsidiary Knowledge Creation:The Effect of Control Mechanisms on Subsidiary Local Embeddedness[J]. International Business Review, 2005,14(5):521-538
[26] 赵健宇,付程,袭希. 知识嵌入性、知识流动与战略联盟结构升级的关系研究[J]. 管理评论, 2020,32(1):91-106 Zhao J. Y., Fu C., Xi X. Research on the Relationship among Knowledge Embeddedness, Knowledge Flow and Structural Upgrading in Strategic Alliance[J]. Management Review, 2020,32(1):91-106
[27] Wang S. L., Luo Y., Lu X., et al. Autonomy Delegation to Foreign Subsidiaries:An Enabling Mechanism for Emerging-market Multinationals[J]. Journal of International Business Studies, 2014,45(2):111-130
[28] Björkman I., Barner-Rasmussen W., Li L. Managing Knowledge Transfer in MNCs:The Impact of Headquarters Control Mechanisms[J]. Journal of International Business Studies, 2004,35(5):443-455
[29] Mansfield R. Bureaucracy and Centralization:An Examination of Organizational Structure[J]. Administrative Science Quarterly, 1973,18(4):477-488
[30] 陶海飞,孟祥霞. 制度逻辑视角下新兴市场跨国企业的组织正当性平衡战略——以万华集团跨国并购为例[J]. 管理评论, 2022,34(9):339-352 Tao H. F., Meng X. X. The Organizational Legitimacy Balancing Strategy of Emerging Market Multinational Enterprise from the Perspective of Institutional Logic-Tanking Wanhua Group's Cross-border Mergers and Acquisition as a Case[J]. Management Review, 2022,34(9):339-352
[31] Ciabuschi F., Forsgren M., Martín O. M. Rationality vs Ignorance:The Role of MNE HQ in Subsidiaries' Innovation Processes[J]. Journal of International Business Studies, 2011,42(7):958-970
[32] Minbaeva D., Pedersen T., Björkman I., et al. MNC Knowledge Transfer, Subsidiary Absorptive Capacity, and HRM[J]. Journal of International Business Studies, 2003,34(6):586-599
[33] Ho M. H. W., Ghauri P. N., Larimo J. A. Institutional Distance and Knowledge Acquisition in International Buyer-Supplier Relationships:The Moderating Role of Trust[J]. Asia Pacific Journal of Management, 2018,35(2):427-447
[34] Michailova S., Zhan W. Dynamic Capabilities and Innovation in MNC Subsidiaries[J]. Journal of World Business, 2015,50(3):576-583
[35] Almeida P., Phene A. Subsidiaries and Knowledge Creation:The Influence of the MNC and Host Country on Innovation[J]. Strategic Management Journal, 2004,25(8-9):847-864
[36] Dyer J. H., Hatch N. W. Relation-specific Capabilities and Barriers to Knowledge Transfer:Creating Advantage through Network Relationships[J]. Strategic Management Journal, 2006,27(8):701-719
[37] Contractor F., Yang Y., Gaur A. S. Firm-specific Intangible Assets and Subsidiary Profitability:The Moderating Role of Distance, Ownership Strategy and Subsidiary Experience[J]. Journal of World Business, 2016,51(6):950-964
[38] 衣长军,刘晓丹,王玉敏,等. 制度距离与中国企业海外子公司生存——所有制与国际化经验的调节视角[J]. 国际贸易问题, 2019,(9):115-132 Yi C. J., Liu X. D., Wang Y. M., et al. Institutional Distance and Foreign Subsidiary Survival:The Moderating Perspective on the Enterprise Ownership and International Experience[J]. Journal of International Trade, 2019,(9):115-132
[39] Pattnaik C., Choe S., Singh D. Impact of Host Country Institutional Context on Subsidiary Performance[J]. Management Decision, 2015,53(1):198-220
[40] Flatten T. C., Engelen A., Zahra S. A., et al. A Measure of Absorptive Capacity:Scale Development and Validation[J]. European Management Journal, 2011,29(2):98-116