Testing metric equivalence in cross-national strategy research: an empirical test across the United States and Japan

We propose a conceptual and analytical framework for assessing metric equivalence in cross-national strategy research. We illustrate this framework by testing the equivalence of measurement models for a set of strategy constructs across the United States and Japan. Results of a two-group LISREL analysis conducted on a data set of 447 interorganizational relationships reveal that some constructs have strong cross-national equivalence, while others need content respecification or reconceptualization. We discuss implications and offer suggestions about how to conduct empirical strategy research in cross-national settings.