Do corporate inversions create systematic MNE sampling biases when using the Orbis database?

Abstract

Corporate inversions, whereby MNEs relocate their ultimate owner to another jurisdiction, pose potential challenges for IB researchers developing samples of MNEs and their foreign subsidiaries using firm-level databases like Orbis. Here we develop a method for identifying inverted MNEs from around the world. We then test two hypotheses relating to whether systematic biases may exist in MNE sampling procedures. Analyzing data from over 52,000 MNEs across 30 nations, we hypothesise that emerging market MNEs and larger MNEs with extensive foreign networks are more likely to invert. Our findings confirm this, revealing systematic differences between inverted and non-inverted MNEs, leading to potential sampling biases. We discuss implications for current IB research and propose ways forward for enhancing cross country MNE sampling procedures.