Explaining the competitiveness of Multinational Companies from developing economies: a critical review of the academic literature

In critically probing the academic literature explaining the emergence and growth of Multinational Companies (MNCs) based in developing economies, the paper argues that neither the 'universalist' approach nor the 'location-bound' approach provides a sufficient basis on their own to explain the distinctive nature of the determinants of international production or the unique features of the business organisation and strategies of MNCs based in developing economies that form the basis of their competitiveness as well as their developmental course over time. A broad-based theoretical approach is required that bridges both approaches through their amalgamation or the broadening of the 'universalist' approach.