Title: Effects of internationalisation on performance of BRICS multinationals moderated by organisational slack and R&D intensity

Authors: Alisson Maxwell Ferreira De Andrade; Simone Vasconcelos Ribeiro Galina; Evandro Marcos Saidel Ribeiro

Addresses: Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS), Av. Ranulpho Marques Leal, 3.484, Cep 79620-080, Três Lagoas-MS, Brazil ' School of Economics, Business and Accounting of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Avenida Bandeirantes, 3900, Monte Alegre, Ribeirão Preto-São Paulo, 14040-900 Brazil ' School of Economics, Business and Accounting of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Avenida Bandeirantes, 3900, Monte Alegre, Ribeirão Preto-São Paulo, 14040-900 Brazil

Abstract: The internationalisation-performance relationship has been widely studied, however most previous researches focused on companies from developed countries. To contribute to this theory, this study examined the moderating effects of organisational slack and R&D intensity in multinational companies from the BRICS countries. Findings indicated that there was a U-shaped relationship between the degree of internationalisation and the performance of these multinationals. Two conclusions of this study are that: 1) the benefits of internationalisation are not obtained overnight but require patience to be achieved; 2) managers must view organisational slack as a strategic tool for action in the international context.

Keywords: internationalisation; MNC performance; organisational slack; R&D intensity; research and development; multinationals; developing countries; BRICS; multinational corporations; MNCs; emerging markets.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBEM.2015.072424

International Journal of Business and Emerging Markets, 2015 Vol.7 No.4, pp.336 - 360

Received: 30 Sep 2014
Accepted: 03 Oct 2014

Published online: 13 Oct 2015 *

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