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This study aims to investigate the moderating effects of subsidiary size on the association between institutional distance and subsidiary’s access to complementary local assets (ACLA) in a transition economy.

The data of 1,027 subsidiaries located in Vietnam were extracted from the survey of General Statistics Office of Vietnam. Hausman’s test shows that random effect model is appropriate to estimate the moderating effects of subsidiary size on the association between the institutional distance and subsidiary’s ACLA.

The findings revealed that the greater formal and informal institutional distances between home and host countries, the lower a subsidiary’s ACLA in a transition economy. In addition, larger subsidiaries’ ACLA in a more formal and informal institutional distant country are higher than smaller subsidiaries.

Multinational enterprise (MNEs) have a continuous need to use their foreign subsidiaries operating in host countries, particularly those with transition economies, to overcome institutional differences to ACLA in a transition economy. In addition, subsidiaries should be invested with greater resources to collaborate with local partners to serve for accessing to complementary local assets in transition economy characterized by an uncertainty institutional environment.

By integrating the institutional theory and the resource-based view, the study developed a theoretical model about the moderating role of subsidiary size on the association between institutional distance and subsidiary’s ACLA in transition economy. The findings confirmed that simultaneously applying the institutional theory and the resource-based view to investigate location-specific advantages exploitation of subsidiaries is relevant not only in developed economies but also in a transition economies.

While the liberalization of economies within the transition paradigm is viewed to take place primarily on a macroeconomic (primary) level, this paper switches emphasis to the secondary and tertiary level of post-transition. While macroeconomic reforms may provide the playing field, secondary reforms level the playing field and tertiary reforms develop the capabilities necessary for firms and individuals within firms to compete in the landscape of liberalized economies. It is necessary to examine the transformations on three levels. First, the development of public policy and institutions aimed at regulating certain industries or firms. Second, the explicit market strategies of firms operating in the industries that shape market structure and inform public policy. Third, the nonmarket strategies of firms aimed at influencing the form and substance of public policy. Drawing on research in three related areas: institutional voids (IVs), the role of market and nonmarket strategies of firms, respectively, this paper examines the current state of transition in CEE/FSU countries. The main conclusions of the paper are first, transition and post-transition has been and continues to be profoundly impacted by the liberalizing influences of multinational firms. Second, this causation from the strategies and tactics of multinational firms to the extent of transition also helps to explain the degree of modernization of economies in a given transition economy. Third, it is important to distinguish between local and foreign firms on the transition process. Foreign firms are more likely to pursue liberalization agendas when it strengthens their competitive advantage over local firms. Conversely, local firms – especially those who rely on the capacity to navigate institutional voids – may be opposed to liberalization, as liberalization would threaten their sources of competitive advantage.

Etihad Rail Company is planning to implement a mega infrastructure project in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). They have included freight rail system as part of the 2030 Abu Dhabi economic vision and the UAE national Charter 2021. The plan is to link the UAE’s main cities via the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) border. This ambitious project presents a formidable task for the Etihad Rail Company and the region as there is no previous railway history of this kind. The project requires coordination of rail standards from East of Ghwefatet and the Northern Emirates cities and will ultimately be combined with the Western Saudi Arabia borders. The transportation system in the region will be improved greatly with the introduction of a cargo and passenger railway system in addition to the current road system and other means of transportation. The Etihad railway network is the first infrastructure project in the UAE and it will bring economic, strategic, social and environmental changes to the country. This case aims to present an overview of the strategic management dimensions of the Etihad Rail and the processes involved. This case will analyze whether Etihad’s top management team should make a decision to focus only on freight rail or to include passenger transportation as well. Many questions will be addressed in this paper such as the following: What steps should Etihad take in order to start passenger rail? Will economical, strategic and environmental aspects affect it? And if so, how? The case will focus on the analysis of the different aspects of Etihad Rail by using strategic management tools as guidance for implementation and determining its success factors.