Internationalization patterns and the evolution of multinational companies: comparing Japan, Korea, China and India

Abstract

We consider past and present trends in the internationalization patterns of Japanese multinational companies (JMNCs) and compare them against the experience of Korean and Chinese MNCs. The analysis assesses the relevance of recent changes in the nature of the global economy and multinational business organization, and reviews insights from established theories of international business. We call for a reassessment of the assumed decline of Japanese multinationals and fuller consideration of areas of continuing strength.