{"title":"Downward spiral of firms’ political strategies in conflict zones: A process analysis of an MNE's operations during an active civil war","authors":"Nathalie Belhoste , Anna Dimitrova","doi":"10.1016/j.jwb.2025.101640","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Applying resource dependence and process theory to an in-depth case study of a French MNE that maintained operations in Syria despite the civil war, we provide a processual and multilevel analysis of how political strategies evolve in response to civil war dynamics and complexity. We show that strategies are mainly conditioned by the firm's interactions and interdependencies with non-state armed groups. We further reveal that rather than ensuring firm survival, political strategies may cause a downward spiral, binding the firm to the warring context as it crosses over to the “dark side” of political strategies, and eventually forcing its exit.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":51357,"journal":{"name":"Journal of World Business","volume":"60 4","pages":"Article 101640"},"PeriodicalIF":8.9000,"publicationDate":"2025-04-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Journal of World Business","FirstCategoryId":"91","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S109095162500029X","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
Applying resource dependence and process theory to an in-depth case study of a French MNE that maintained operations in Syria despite the civil war, we provide a processual and multilevel analysis of how political strategies evolve in response to civil war dynamics and complexity. We show that strategies are mainly conditioned by the firm's interactions and interdependencies with non-state armed groups. We further reveal that rather than ensuring firm survival, political strategies may cause a downward spiral, binding the firm to the warring context as it crosses over to the “dark side” of political strategies, and eventually forcing its exit.
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.