Firm age and Chinese firms’ OFDI in developing and developed countries: the moderating roles of industry munificence and state ownership

Purpose Applying the internationalization process model (IPM) and the strategic fit perspective, this research aims to test the effects of firm age on Chinese firms’ outward foreign direct investment (OFDI) in developing and developed countries. Design/methodology/approach Using data on some Chinese firms, this study applied the zero-inflated negative binomial model and Heckman two-stage model to do the analyses. Findings This research found that firm age has different effects on Chinese firms’ OFDI in developed and developing countries. State ownership and industry munificence independently and jointly can moderate these effects. Originality/value This study contributes to the IPM and solves the theoretical conflict about the firm age–OFDI relationship.