Abstract
We introduce the notion of exaptation to internationalization theory, a process in which a capability is re-used for a purpose and in a context different than its historical purpose and context. Specifically, we examine which domestic capabilities may be redeployed when organizations engage in cross-border M&As for the first time. We suggest that organizations exapt (re-use) coordination and control capabilities, initially developed to manage domestic geographical dispersion, to acquire and integrate external resources across borders. By analyzing 693 Indian business groups over a decade, we add to the recent effort to frame the internationalization process within evolutionary theory.
Résumé
Nous proposons d’intégrer la notion d’exaptation à la théorie d’internationalisation, un processus dans lequel une capacité est réutilisée dans un but et un contexte différents que le but et le contexte historiques. Plus précisément, nous examinons quelles capacités nationales peuvent être redéployées lorsque des organisations s’engagent pour la première fois dans des fusions-acquisitions (FA) transfrontalières. Nous suggérons que les organisations exaptent (réutilisent) les capacités de coordination et de contrôle, initialement développées pour gérer l’expansion géographique domestique, pour acquérir et intégrer des ressources extérieures transfrontalières. En analysant 693 groupes d’entreprises indiennes sur une décennie, nous contribuons aux efforts récents visant à intégrer le processus d’internationalisation au sein d’une théorie évolutive.
Resumen
Introducimos la noción de exaptación a la teoría de internacionalización, un proceso en el cual una capacidad es reutilizada para un propósito y en un contexto diferente a su propósito y contexto histórico. Específicamente, examinamos cuales capacidades domésticas pueden ser reubicarse cuando las organizaciones se involucran en fusiones y adquisiciones por primera vez. Sugerimos que las organizaciones exaptan (reutilizan) las capacidades de coordinación y control, inicialmente desarrolladas para manejar la dispersión geográfica nacional, para adquirir e integrar recursos externos a través de las fronteras. Al analizar 693 grupos empresariales Indios por una década, nos sumamos al esfuerzo reciente para enmarcar el proceso de internacionalización en la teoría evolutiva.
Resumo
Introduzimos a noção de exaptação à teoria da internacionalização, um processo no qual uma capacidade é reutilizada para um propósito e em um contexto diferente do seu propósito e contexto histórico. Especificamente, examinamos quais capacidades domésticas podem ser reutilizadas quando as organizações participam de fusões e aquisições transfronteiriças pela primeira vez. Sugerimos que as organizações exaptam (reutilizam) as capacidades de coordenação e controle, inicialmente desenvolvidas para gerenciar a dispersão geográfica doméstica, para adquirir e integrar recursos externos através de fronteiras. Ao analisar 693 grupos empresariais indianos ao longo de uma década, nós contribuímos ao recente esforço para enquadrar o processo de internacionalização na teoria evolutiva.
概要
我们给国际化理论引入了扩展适应的概念,即在不同于历史目的和情境的某种目的和情境中将能力重复使用的过程。具体而言,我们研究哪些国内能力在组织首次进行跨境并购时可能被重新部署。我们建议,组织扩展适应(重复使用)最初是为了管理国内地理分布而开发的协调和控制能力,以获取和整合跨境的外部资源。通过分析跨越十年的693家印度公司集团,我们对在进化理论内构建国际化进程做出了最新的努力。
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Acknowledgements
For comments on earlier versions of this article, we thank Associate Editor Anupama Phene, three anonymous reviewers, and seminar participants at BI Norwegian Business School and Ca’ Foscari University of Venice. We are also thankful to Peter Buckley, Klaus Meyer, Ram Mudambi, Marcus Møller Larsen, and Toke Reichsten for insightful discussions and suggestions.
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Accepted by Ram Mudambi, Area Editor, February 26, 2018. This article has been with the authors for four revisions.
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Santangelo, G.D., Stucchi, T. Internationalization through exaptation: The role of domestic geographical dispersion in the internationalization process. J Int Bus Stud 49, 753–760 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1057/s41267-018-0151-y
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/s41267-018-0151-y