Peer-Reviewed Journal Details
Mandatory Fields
Gurkov, I. & Morley, M.J.
2017
August
European Journal Of International Management
Divinity rules: Towards a revised typology of multinational corporate parenting styles
Published
()
Optional Fields
multinational companies; corporate parenting styles; headquarters; subsidiaries; Russia
11
4
490
510
                          

We advance a revised and extended typology of multinational corporate parenting styles designed to capture different approaches identifiable in multinational headquarter – subsidiary interactions. Invoking ancient Greek mythology, we propose a four-way classification of the observed dominant styles. Multinational corporations pursuing a Cronus parenting style emphasise exploitation and demonstrate a proclivity for continuously extracting value from their subsidiary units. Multinationals following a Rhea parenting style focus on adding value to their subsidiaries and place a strong emphasis on care and accommodation in parent–subsidiary interactions. Zeus style multinational parents encourage heroism among their offspring, something that is commonly leveraged through adding financial value to the subsidiary and extracting a range of other types of value in return. Those multinational parents pursuing an Athena parenting style place an emphasis on developing and safeguarding wisdom in their subsidiaries and display a continuous desire for a balanced exchange of value in their on-going interactions.

Grant Details