Information technologies and the future of the multinational enterprise Article

Sambharya, RB, Kumaraswamy, A, Banerjee, S. (2005). Information technologies and the future of the multinational enterprise . JOURNAL OF INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT, 11(2 SPEC. ISS.), 143-161. 10.1016/j.intman.2005.03.005

cited authors

  • Sambharya, RB; Kumaraswamy, A; Banerjee, S

authors

abstract

  • In this paper, we highlight the pervasive influence of information technologies on multinational enterprise (MNE) operations, strategies and structures. The democratization of information technologies has diminished geographic distance and compressed response times for MNEs. In turn, this has led to an increased and simultaneous emphasis on both global efficiencies and local responsiveness. We explore the consequences of this change in emphasis for MNE strategic and structural orientations as established by Bartlett and Ghoshal's typology of MNE strategies. Our conclusion is that the distinctions between the four strategic orientations are becoming increasingly blurred and MNE structures are becoming more organic in nature. In addition to discussing these changes, we also highlight emerging challenges that MNEs face in an increasingly borderless, time compressed world. © 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

publication date

  • January 1, 2005

published in

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

start page

  • 143

end page

  • 161

volume

  • 11

issue

  • 2 SPEC. ISS.