›› 2020, Vol. 32 ›› Issue (1): 309-323.

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Context Identification and Mechanism Analysis of Why Enterprises Choose Specialization Strategy in Emerging Countries: Based ona Multiple-case Study of the Enterprises in Shenzhen

Su Jingqin1, Zhang Yanming1, Lin Jingjing2   

  1. 1. School of Economics and Management, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024;
    2. School of Business Administration, Dongbei University of Finance and Economics, Dalian 116025
  • Received:2018-05-24 Online:2020-01-28 Published:2020-01-19

Abstract:

The existing researches attribute the high proportion of enterprise specialization in developed countries to the strong institution-al environment formed by its long-term development. Then, how should emerging countries with weak institutional environment promote the adoption of specialized strategy? In reality, some areas in China (such as Shenzhen and Guangzhou) have shown obvious specializa-tion trends. What are the reasons? This paper explores the issue of enterprise specialization in emerging countries based on the perspec-tive of environmental dependence. Through a multiple-case study of three specialized enterprises in Shenzhen, this paper aims to identify the situational framework that influences enterprises in the region to adopt specialized strategy, and analyze the specific impact mecha-nism. By identifying the context framework of corporate strategic choices which include supportive business environment, high-level mar-ketization, and agile supply chain, the study finds that (1) a spiral evolutionary situation optimization model has formed, driven by the national reform and opening-up policy, the huge market capacity of the mainland, the proximity advantage of the port and the division of the full value chain, as well as the interaction between the business environment, the market environment and the supply chain; (2) Ex-ternal situation would lead to solidification and even be temporarily locked in the specialization strategy. The supportive business environ-ment produces resource agglomeration effect, high-level marketization to guide the division of labor in the industry, and the agile supply chain forms specialized solidification effect. This study explains why emerging countries have a high proportion of specialization, and ex-pands the environmental dependence theory of corporate strategic choice from the perspective of situational construction. All these can be used as a reference for emerging countries to adjust their industrial policies and for the relevant companies to develop their strategies.

Key words: emerging countries, strategic choice, specialization strategy, environmental dependence, context