Ludan Wu, Dylan Sutherland, Xinghao Peng and John Anderson
Cities are host to many of the world’s knowledge intensive research and innovation clusters. As such, they are likely to be attractive locations for emerging market multinational…
Abstract
Purpose
Cities are host to many of the world’s knowledge intensive research and innovation clusters. As such, they are likely to be attractive locations for emerging market multinational enterprises (MNEs) seeking to engage in knowledge seeking “springboard” type firm-level catch-up strategies. The purpose of this study is to therefore explore whether city-based research-intensive clusters containing deep pools of location bounded (i.e. “sticky”) knowledge are a stronger driver for greenfield research and development (R&D)-related FDI projects for Chinese MNEs than they are for developed market MNEs.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors use logistic modelling on 97,163 worldwide greenfield FDI projects to explore the relative likelihoods of Chinese MNEs engaging in R&D-related greenfield (i.e. “strategic asset seeking”) FDI projects as well as how city type (global or research-intensive cluster city) moderates this relationship for Chinese MNEs.
Findings
The authors find that Chinese MNEs are more likely to engage in overseas R&D FDI projects (compared with other types of project) than DMNEs and that research-intensive city clusters hold a stronger attraction for Chinese MNEs than developed market MNEs.
Research limitations/implications
The authors discuss how the research contributes to the debate on emerging market MNE catch-up theory, as well as that on sub-national city location choice, by highlighting the growing importance of sub-national geography to understanding strategic asset seeking related greenfield FDI.
Practical implications
Sub-national city location choice is an important driver of strategic asset seeking FDI for Chinese MNEs, one that both national and local city level policymakers should pay attention to.
Social implications
Chinese FDI via aggressive mergers and acquisitions to acquire key technologies has been restricted in recent years. Policymakers must consider whether they may also wish to restrict Chinese greenfield FDI in R&D-related projects, which now exhibit a pronounced upward trend.
Originality/value
The authors highlight the growing importance of sub-national geography to understanding strategic asset seeking related greenfield FDI in Chinese MNEs (and how it plays, more generally, a central role in their strategies).
Details
Keywords
Ting Qiu, Di Yang, Hui Zeng and Xinghao Chen
The rapid development of generative artificial intelligence has witnessed its widespread integration across various industries, contributing to enhanced productivity. However, a…
Abstract
Purpose
The rapid development of generative artificial intelligence has witnessed its widespread integration across various industries, contributing to enhanced productivity. However, a comprehensive exploration of the underlying factors influencing the behavior of graphic designers in employing such tools remains incomplete. This research aims to amalgamate the IDT theory with the UTAUT2 model to construct a structural model, delving into the factors affecting graphic designers’ behavior in using GenAI tools.
Design/methodology/approach
A survey was conducted with 394 respondents, and the results were analyzed using PLS-SEM.
Findings
The findings reveal that most factors proposed in both the UTAUT2 and IDT theories exert positive influences. Notably, the study highlights that AI anxiety significantly influences designers’ usage behavior.
Originality/value
This research provides a theoretical foundation and practical guidance for both graphic designers and AI developers.