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Foreign interfirm networks and internationalization: Evidence from sub-Saharan Africa
Liu, L. Henley, J.
Liu, L.
Henley, J.
Publication Date
2021-03
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© 2021 Elsevier. Reproduced in accordance with the publisher's self-archiving policy. This manuscript version is made available under the CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)
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Yes
Open Access status
openAccess
Accepted for publication
10/09/2020
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Abstract
This study investigates how buyer-supplier interfirm networks with foreign affiliates affect the internationalization of local firms in developing countries. In a study of 1601 sub-Saharan African manufacturing firms, we find that foreign supply linkages positively influence firm internationalization, but this does not relate to marketing linkages. We further examine the role of absorptive capacity and find that both potential and realized absorptive capacity has positive and independent effects on firm internationalization. However, potential absorptive capacity has no moderating effect and realized absorptive capacity negatively moderates the relationship between foreign supplying networks and internationalization. Finally, implications for public policy and managerial practice are discussed.
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Accepted manuscript
Citation
Liu L, Henley J and Mousavi MM (2021) Foreign interfirm networks and internationalization: Evidence from sub-Saharan Africa. Journal of International Management. 27(1): 100810.
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Article