Factors affecting the choice of equity-based mode by Foreign firms entering Kazakhstan

Authors

  • Aigerim Abuova Hankuk University of Foreign Studies
  • Wonchan Ra Hankuk University of Foreign Studies

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15549/jeecar.v5i2.233

Keywords:

Foreign market entry mode, Equity-based entry mode, Joint venture, Wholly-owned subsidiary, Kazakhstan.

Abstract

Choice of modes is a critical decision that firms conducting equity-based foreign direct investment must make since it has a significant effect on performance. Entry mode choice has been a major topic in international business research up to now. As the largest country in size in Central Asia and a large economic potential, Kazakhstan became one of the main destinations for foreign direct investment in this area while transitioning to a market-based economy after gaining independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. This paper investigates the main firm- and country-specific factors that affect the choice of equity-based entry modes of foreign investors entering Kazakhstan between a joint venture (JV) and a wholly-owned subsidiary (WOS). We establish hypotheses regarding the effects of such factors on the mode choice and empirically test the hypotheses with secondary data on foreign companies’ entry in Kazakhstan, using binomial logit regression analysis.

Author Biographies

Aigerim Abuova, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies

Aigerim Abuova obtained a degree of Master of Arts in International Business from the Department of International Business of Graduate School of Hankuk University of Foreign Studies in Korea.

Wonchan Ra, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies

Dr. Wonchan Ra (corresponding author, wonra@hufs.ac.kr) is currently a professor of international business at the Department of International Business of Graduate School and the Division of Global Business & Technology of Hankuk University of Foreign Studies in Korea. He earned his Ph.D. degree from Rutgers University School of Management, N.J., U.S.A. His current research interests include international strategic alliances, foreign direct investment and divestment, foreign operation modes, and cross-border knowledge transfer between firms.

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Published

2018-11-28

How to Cite

Abuova, A., & Ra, W. (2018). Factors affecting the choice of equity-based mode by Foreign firms entering Kazakhstan. Journal of Eastern European and Central Asian Research (JEECAR), 5(2), 18. https://doi.org/10.15549/jeecar.v5i2.233