Internationalization Strategies of Emerging Asian MNEs – Case Study Evidence on Singaporean and Malaysian Firms

Abstract

Empirical research on the internationalization processes, strategies and operations of Asian multinational enterprises (MNEs) from countries at different levels of development is limited to date. Drawing on primary data from ten matched case studies of emerging Singaporean and Malaysian MNEs in five industrial sectors, this research examines and analyses their internationalization characteristics and strategies and evaluates them within the IDP (investment development path) perspective. The findings indicate that the emerging Singaporean and Malaysian MNEs, while exhibiting characteristics such as that described in extant theories also suggest some differences. The empirical findings, limitations, implications and areas for further research are discussed.