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Challenges in the Era of Globalization - iaabd

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<strong>Challenges</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Era</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Globalization</strong><br />

Edited by Emmanuel Obuah<br />

questionnaire method was considered <strong>the</strong> most appropriate way for collect<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> data. The questionnaire<br />

was adm<strong>in</strong>istered after a thorough analysis <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> literature. It consists <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> most relevant factors that<br />

proved to <strong>in</strong>fluence <strong>the</strong> <strong>in</strong>vestment decisions <strong>of</strong> MNCs when undertak<strong>in</strong>g FDI. It asked each <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

participated companies to evaluate <strong>the</strong> significance <strong>of</strong> each factor us<strong>in</strong>g a five-po<strong>in</strong>t Likert Scale from 1 to<br />

5 where 1 is <strong>the</strong> least important and 5 is <strong>the</strong> most important.<br />

The questionnaire was developed to ascerta<strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> op<strong>in</strong>ion <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> key decision-makers <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> targeted<br />

companies (<strong>the</strong> respondents) on a number <strong>of</strong> factors proved to <strong>in</strong>fluence <strong>the</strong> decision <strong>of</strong> MNCs to<br />

undertake FDI <strong>in</strong> a specific location. Employees who participated <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> completion <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> questionnaire<br />

<strong>in</strong>cludes, top management <strong>of</strong>ficers such as Chief Executive Officers (CEO), Manag<strong>in</strong>g Directors, General<br />

Managers, Country Presidents, Partners, or any o<strong>the</strong>r equivalent designation <strong>of</strong> each company. The<br />

questionnaire was thoroughly revised by and discussed with several academics <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> UK, Syria and<br />

Jordan before it was distributed to <strong>the</strong> respondents. It was also pre-tested through personal <strong>in</strong>terviews with<br />

top executives <strong>of</strong> four companies who were not later asked to take part <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> study. Subsequently, it was<br />

used for a pilot study. This process enhanced <strong>the</strong> quality <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> questionnaire and improved its design,<br />

content, word<strong>in</strong>g and most importantly clarity and ease <strong>of</strong> understand<strong>in</strong>g, so mak<strong>in</strong>g it much easier and<br />

more attractive to answer. The questionnaire was adm<strong>in</strong>istered through different ways. The first way was<br />

through email and onl<strong>in</strong>e survey but unfortunately, <strong>the</strong> response rate was below 3%. The second way was<br />

through <strong>the</strong> postal system where <strong>the</strong> response rate was also below 5%. The third way was through<br />

personal <strong>in</strong>terviews with <strong>in</strong>terviewees <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> firms who participated <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> survey. The <strong>in</strong>terviewees<br />

completed <strong>the</strong> questionnaire <strong>the</strong>mselves <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> presence <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> pr<strong>in</strong>cipal <strong>in</strong>terviewer, <strong>of</strong>fer<strong>in</strong>g complete<br />

guidance and confidentiality to <strong>the</strong>m. The sample size obta<strong>in</strong>ed was 268 usable questionnaires with a<br />

response rate for <strong>the</strong> last method <strong>of</strong> round 64%. The data were analyzed us<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> Statistical Package for<br />

Social Science (SPSS). The statistical <strong>in</strong>ferences are presented <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> data analysis section below.<br />

DATA ANALYSIS<br />

Before present<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> analysis <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> location factors <strong>in</strong> Syria and Jordan, it is worth <strong>in</strong>troduc<strong>in</strong>g some<br />

descriptive statistics <strong>in</strong> order to establish <strong>the</strong> ma<strong>in</strong> characteristics <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> sample.<br />

Entry Mode<br />

Based on <strong>the</strong> sample <strong>of</strong> this study, 66.8% <strong>of</strong> MNCs operat<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> Syria and Jordan have established<br />

wholly-owned subsidiaries as evidenced <strong>in</strong> Table 1 below, whereas, 26.9% <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>m engaged <strong>in</strong> jo<strong>in</strong>t<br />

ventures with selected partners, and only 6.3% established <strong>the</strong>ir FDIs <strong>in</strong> a form <strong>of</strong> mergers and<br />

acquisitions with exist<strong>in</strong>g firms operat<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> Syria and Jordan.<br />

Table 1: Entry Mode<br />

Entry Modes Frequency Percent<br />

Greenfield (Wholly-owned subsidiary) 179 66.8<br />

Jo<strong>in</strong>t Venture 72 26.9<br />

Merger & Acquisition 17 6.3<br />

Total 268 100.0<br />

249

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