Purpose

This study aims to understand the performance implications of when a business internationalizes. Many managers take the performance implications of internationalization for granted. Whether seeking a broader customer base or cost reduction through cross-border outsourcing, the overwhelming belief is that internationalization leads to higher profits.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper offers a systematic review, content analysis and cross-tabulation analysis of 115 empirical studies from over 40 major journals in management, strategy and international business between 1977 and 2021. Focusing on research settings, sample characteristics, underlying theoretical approaches, measurements of key variables and moderators influencing the multinationality and performance relationship, this study offers a detailed account of definitions and effects.

Findings

The findings of this study suggest a tenuous connection between internationalization and performance. No strain of research literature conclusively identifies a consistent direct path from internationalization to performance. The context specificity of the relationship makes general declarations impossible.

Research limitations/implications

Future researchers should recognize that internationalization is a process taking different forms, with no specific dominant form. General declarations are misleading. The focus should be on the process of internationalization rather than on the outcome.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the international business literature by exploring reasons for the inconsistent results and lack of consensus. Through a detailed account of definitions and effects, this paper explores the lack of consensus as well as the identified shapes of the relationship.

中文翻译：

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不一致的模式：跨国公司绩效关系实证研究的文献综述

目的

本研究旨在了解企业国际化对绩效的影响。许多经理认为国际化对绩效的影响是理所当然的。无论是通过跨境外包寻求更广泛的客户群还是降低成本，压倒性的信念是国际化会带来更高的利润。

设计/方法/途径

本文对 1977 年至 2021 年间来自管理、战略和国际商务领域的 40 多种主要期刊的 115 项实证研究进行了系统回顾、内容分析和交叉制表分析。重点关注研究背景、样本特征、基础理论方法、关键指标的测量影响跨国性和绩效关系的变量和调节器，本研究提供了定义和影响的详细说明。

发现

这项研究的结果表明，国际化与绩效之间存在着微弱的联系。没有任何研究文献能够最终确定从国际化到绩效的一致直接路径。关系的上下文特殊性使得一般声明变得不可能。

研究局限性/影响

未来的研究者应该认识到，国际化是一个采取不同形式的过程，没有特定的主导形式。笼统的声明具有误导性。重点应该放在国际化的过程而不是结果上。

原创性/价值

本研究通过探索结果不一致和缺乏共识的原因，为国际商业文献做出了贡献。通过对定义和影响的详细说明，本文探讨了缺乏共识以及已确定的关系形状。