{"title":"Should we stay or should we exit? Dilemmas faced by multinationals under sanctioned regimes","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/j.jwb.2024.101585","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>This study investigates how multinational enterprises (MNEs) navigate sanctioned regimes using the Myanmar context following a 2021 military coup. We find that without formal institutional pressures, MNEs exit voluntarily due to informal stakeholder pressures. However, such exits are often considered irresponsible as MNEs transfer assets to unethical buyers or the sanctioned regime, thus potentially worsening the human rights conditions. We provide eight propositions that define a responsible exit from a sanctioned regime. This study offers insights into the multifaceted nature of strategic exits thus articulating ethical dilemmas faced when exiting from foreign markets amid sanctions-induced challenges, real or perceived. This study proposes a framework outlining the interplay between formal and informal institutional pressures placed on MNEs in sanctioned regimes, thus theoretically contributing to the institution-based view by highlighting legitimacy concerns and reputational management strategies employed by MNEs.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":51357,"journal":{"name":"Journal of World Business","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":8.9000,"publicationDate":"2024-09-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1090951624000658/pdfft?md5=50a958274c1b7cc90d439fcfe50142d2&pid=1-s2.0-S1090951624000658-main.pdf","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Journal of World Business","FirstCategoryId":"91","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1090951624000658","RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"管理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"BUSINESS","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
This study investigates how multinational enterprises (MNEs) navigate sanctioned regimes using the Myanmar context following a 2021 military coup. We find that without formal institutional pressures, MNEs exit voluntarily due to informal stakeholder pressures. However, such exits are often considered irresponsible as MNEs transfer assets to unethical buyers or the sanctioned regime, thus potentially worsening the human rights conditions. We provide eight propositions that define a responsible exit from a sanctioned regime. This study offers insights into the multifaceted nature of strategic exits thus articulating ethical dilemmas faced when exiting from foreign markets amid sanctions-induced challenges, real or perceived. This study proposes a framework outlining the interplay between formal and informal institutional pressures placed on MNEs in sanctioned regimes, thus theoretically contributing to the institution-based view by highlighting legitimacy concerns and reputational management strategies employed by MNEs.
期刊介绍:
The Journal of World Business holds a distinguished position as a leading publication within the realm of International Business. Rooted in a legacy dating back to 1965, when it was established as the Columbia Journal of World Business, JWB is committed to disseminating cutting-edge research that reflects significant advancements in the field. The journal actively seeks submissions that propel new theoretical frameworks and innovative perspectives on International Business phenomena. Aligned with its domain statement, submissions are expected to possess a clear multinational, cross-border, or international comparative focus, while remaining pertinent to the study of management and organizations. JWB particularly encourages submissions that challenge established theories or assumptions, presenting pioneering or counterintuitive findings. With an inclusive approach, the journal welcomes contributions from diverse conceptual and theoretical traditions, encompassing allied social sciences and behavioral sciences. Submissions should either develop new theories or rigorously test existing ones, employing a variety of qualitative, quantitative, or other methodological approaches. While JWB primarily caters to scholars and researchers, it values contributions that explore implications for Multinational Enterprises and their management, as well as ramifications for public policy and the broader societal role of business.