An empirical analysis and extension of the Bartlett and Ghoshal typology of multinational companies

This study offers an empirical test and extension of the Bartlett and Ghoshal typology of multinational companies (MNCs). A three-fold typology of multinational companies: Global, Multidomestic and Transnational is developed from the literature. This typology is tested using data from 166 subsidiaries of 37 MNCs, headquartered in 9 different countries. Subsidiaries in the three types of MNCs are shown to differ significantly in aspects of interdependence and local responsiveness.