Question

Discuss how the need for control over foreign operations varies with firms’ strategies and core competencies. What are the implications for the choice of entry mode?

Answer 1

- The core competence of a firm’s competitive advantage is based on control over proprietary technological and innovation know-how, licensing and joint venture arrangements should be avoided when necessary so as to avoid and minimize the risk of losing control over that technology. For firms with a competitive advantage based on management effectiveness, the risk of losing control over the management skills to franchisees or joint venture partners is not that welcomed or encouraged. However, many service firms favor a combination of franchising and subsidiaries to control the franchises within particular countries or regions. The subsidiaries may be wholly owned or joint ventures, but most service firms have believed that joint ventures with local partners works best for controlling subsidiaries.