The Propensity of Multinational Companies to Expand Through Acquisitions

Abstract

Multinational enterprises may choose to invest internationally through a newly formed subsidiary or by acquiring an existing company. In an attempt to isolate factors which might indicate a propensity to acquire rather than form subsidiaries, this study examined the characteristics of firms which have invested abroad. The results showed that firms with a higher percentage of investments through acquisitions did have some common characteristics. In addition, the nationality of the parent was found to be related to the propensity to acquire.