The Survival Performance and Influencing Factors of Overseas Subsidiaries of Chinese Multinational Enterprises: An Investigation Based on Social Network Analysis

This article analyses the survival of Chinese multinational enterprises’ (MNEs) overseas subsidiaries based on social network analysis at both firm and country levels. The results show that the pre-initial investment alliance experience with the focal host country positively affects the survival of Chinese MNEs’ overseas subsidiaries and that the volume of investments that a Chinese MNE has in a host country also enhances the relationship. On the other hand, the in-degree centrality of the host country in the global foreign direct investment network negatively affects the survival of Chinese MNEs’ overseas subsidiaries. The article expands the role of social network analysis in China’s foreign investment and makes recommendations about the survival and location choice of foreign subsidiaries.