The dynamics of causal factors in the evolution of the subsidiary of multinationals: IBM in the brazilian market

Abstract

Grounded on subsidiary typology and subsidiary development literature, we point to a mismatch between the evolution of the subsidiary of multinationals and the groups of causal factors that act upon it. Whereas the former is conceptualized from a dynamic standpoint, the latter is viewed statically. This is the starting point of this article, whose aim is to analyze the dynamics of causal factors pools in the evolution of a subsidiary of a multinational. Based on the case study of the evolution of the IBM’s Brazilian subsidiary, our results suggest that the occurrence of the causal factors related to the subsidiary, the headquarters and the context seems to be more complex than the literature has portrayed it. This is because the causal factors are liable to three properties: combination, frequency and temporal position

Keywords

• subsidiária
• evolução
• fatores causais
• multinacionais