Exploring internal embeddedness in multinational corporations: A systematic literatura review from a network theory perspective

Abstract

This systematic literature review explores the internal embeddedness within multinational corporations (MNCs) from a network theory perspective. The study aims to address the corrent gap in the literature concerning our understanding of internal embeddedness and focuses its attention on the relational network that links MNCs and subsidiaries. By reviewing publications from 2006 to 2023, we investigate the determinants of the evolution of MNCs’ subsidiaries in the market dynamics, and the effectiveness of the networking between each unit making up an MNCs. The analysis adopts a multi-step review approach, in order to shed light on corrent understanding of internal embeddedness, subsidiaries operations, and network interactions within MNCs. The findings contribute to developing a comprehensive framework for understanding the internal embeddedness in recent research, clarifying the definitions of internal embeddedness, and providing insights for future research and managerial practices in MNCs.