Submitted by Juliana Sampaio (jsampaio82@gmail.com) on 2015-02-23T14:50:06Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação Juliana Sampaio - Versão Final.pdf: 553042 bytes, checksum: 5f5e442204c8a6a912bf21c01f7868fe (MD5) / Rejected by Renata de Souza Nascimento (renata.souza@fgv.br), reason: Prezada Juliana, boa noite Seu trabalho foi rejeitado por não estar de acordo com as normas da ABNT. Encaminhei por e-mail o que deve ser alterado (Somente alguns detalhes). Att Renata on 2015-02-23T22:52:02Z (GMT) / Submitted by Juliana Sampaio (jsampaio82@gmail.com) on 2015-02-23T23:59:07Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação Juliana Sampaio - Versão Final.pdf: 553115 bytes, checksum: c7d8f3a68dcbf604051728b13fc52f6f (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Renata de Souza Nascimento (renata.souza@fgv.br) on 2015-02-24T00:18:39Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação Juliana Sampaio - Versão Final.pdf: 553115 bytes, checksum: c7d8f3a68dcbf604051728b13fc52f6f (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-02-24T13:41:33Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação Juliana Sampaio - Versão Final.pdf: 553115 bytes, checksum: c7d8f3a68dcbf604051728b13fc52f6f (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-01-26 / O presente estudo analisa o modo de expansão das multinacionais no Brasil, país emergente e de dimensões continentais que apresenta enormes desigualdades regionais. Assim, foram analisadas as estratégias de expansão dos dez maiores grupos estadunidenses no Brasil entre 2004 e 2013, sob a ótica das teorias tradicionais de internacionalização e da teoria dos ativos complementares de Hennart. Verificou-se que as diferentes características regionais brasileiras levam as multinacionais a realizarem aquisições quando iniciam atividades em novas regiões. Ademais, foi constatado que outros fatores, como dificuldades intrínsecas aos setores de atuação e a entrada do grupo multinacional em novas atividades que não a sua predominante, afetam o modo de expansão das multinacionais, levando-as a realizar aquisições e joint ventures. Tais aquisições e joint ventures são explicadas pela dificuldade das multinacionais em acessar ativos complementares locais, em conformidade à teoria de Hennart. Por outro lado, e em contrariedade às teorias tradicionais, foi verificado que a experiência das multinacionais no Brasil nem sempre influencia o seu comprometimento nos países hospedeiros, levando ao estabelecimento de subsidiárias integrais. / This work analyzes the expansion decision made by multinational groups in Brazil, an emerging nation showing sizeable regional differences. We analyzed the expansion strategies of the 10 major US groups in Brazil between 2004 and 2013 based on traditional local internationalization theories and Hennart’s bundling model. We found evidence that the different Brazilian regional characteristics cause multinationals to carry out acquisitions when they need to enter in a new region. Also, we found that Brazilian market factors such as concentration, growth, industries’ intrinsic features and the engagement in new activities affect the expansion mode of multinationals, causing such corporations to carry out acquisitions and establish joint ventures. The acquisitions and joint ventures are explained by the difficulty in obtaining access to local complementary assets in these specific cases, a result in line with Hennart's assertions. On the other hand, we noticed that the experience of multinationals in Brazil not always influences its commitment in the host countries and gives rise to the establishment of wholly-owned subsidiaries.

Submitted by Cyntia Vilasboas Calixto (cyntiacalixto@gmail.com) on 2017-03-30T18:16:25Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Cyntia_Tese_v. Biblioteca.pdf: 2666826 bytes, checksum: e553bf33e1e293beffd424fb7c3d4105 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Pamela Beltran Tonsa (pamela.tonsa@fgv.br) on 2017-03-30T18:35:58Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 Cyntia_Tese_v. Biblioteca.pdf: 2666826 bytes, checksum: e553bf33e1e293beffd424fb7c3d4105 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-03-30T19:36:11Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Cyntia_Tese_v. Biblioteca.pdf: 2666826 bytes, checksum: e553bf33e1e293beffd424fb7c3d4105 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-03-21 / Usually, one multinational enterprise deals with a portfolio of business models, since its foreign subsidiaries cannot just copy the headquarters’ model. Studies on the business model literature highlighted the complexity of this kind of organization, but they did not go further on their international operations. I’m aiming to understand what differs in those models around the globe and how the headquarters can cope with more than one business model by developing the ambidextrous capability. Thus, I’m looking forward to identifying some organizational elements as well as analyzing the network in the host country, which in juxtaposition, will determine the replication, renewal or even innovation of the original business model. In order to do that, I developed a theoretical framework and suggested some propositions based on the literature to evaluate the phenomena. The empirical setting was Brazilian Multinationals, composed by 40 interviews with executives of 17 different firms in both headquarters and their foreign subsidiaries. In addition, I triangulated the information with several types of secondary data, accounting to more than 300 documents. Then, selected four of them to analyze in depth through a multiple case study. The results had shown that multinational enterprises could use several tools to standardize some organizational procedures and share them by best practices through online systems and personal training. However, the host country environment (such as local institutions, staff and customers) stimulates several adaptations in their original model. Therefore, they created some separation mechanisms – spatial, temporal, and contextual - to be able to manage different business models concomitantly, trying to integrate the local culture in their business. Thus, this study contributes to the literature in two ways: (i) it brings to the international business’ perspective the analysis of the multinational’s business model, which can help us to improve our knowledge about the relationship between headquarters and foreign subsidiaries using a different lens; and (ii) in the business model literature, it explores the concept of business models’ portfolio and shows that the process of replication and renewal should be analyzed per foreign operation established by the company. / Em geral, uma empresa multinacional possui um portfólio de modelo de negócios, uma vez que suas subsidiárias no exterior não podem simplesmente copiar o modelo da matriz. A literatura de modelo de negócios destacou a complexidade desse tipo de organização, mas não desenvolveu estudos acerca das operações internacionais. Neste trabalho busca-se compreender quais as divergências entre esses modelos ao redor do globo e de que modo a matriz gerencia mais de um modelo de negócios ao desenvolver a capacidade de ambidestria. Assim, o intuito é identificar alguns elementos organizacionais, bem como analisar a rede em que a empresa está inserida no exterior, que, em justaposição, podem determinar a replicação, renovação ou até mesmo a inovação no modelo de negócios. Para isso, foi desenvolvido um modelo teórico e sugeridas algumas proposições com base na literatura para avaliar o fenômeno. O contexto empírico se estrutura a partir de empresas multinacionais brasileiras, 17, em número mais preciso, onde foram entrevistados 40 executivos, tanto na matriz quanto em suas subsidiárias no exterior. Ainda, a informação foi triangulada com diversos tipos de dados secundários, contabilizando mais de 300 documentos sobre as empresas em questão. Posteriormente, selecionaram-se quatro casos para fazer a análise em profundidade por meio de estudo de caso múltiplo. Os resultados revelaram que as multinacionais brasileiras podem utilizar mais de uma ferramenta para padronizar os procedimentos organizacionais e compartilhá-los por meio de sistemas on-line e treinamentos pessoais. Contudo, o ambiente país de destino (como as instituições locais, as pessoas e os consumidores) estimula algumas adaptações no modelo original. Logo, as empresas criaram mecanismos de separação – espacial, temporal e contextual – para gerenciar concomitantemente diferentes modelos de negócio, tentando integrar a cultura local em suas operações. Sendo assim, este estudo visa contribuir para a literatura em duas formas: (i) insere na perspectiva de negócios internacionais a análise do modelo de negócio de empresas multinacionais, o que pode auxiliar no conhecimento sobre a relação entre matriz e subsidiárias; e (ii) explora, na literatura de modelo de negócios, o conceito de portfólio de modelo de negócios, apresentando que processo de replicação e renovação devem ser analisados por subsidiária no exterior.

Cette thèse a pour objet d’effectuer une étude approfondie des IDE chinois et d’analyser la stratégie et l’organisation des entreprises chinoises en France. Pour cela, nous étudions les principales motivations d’investissement des entreprises chinoises en France, leurs modes d’entrée sur le marché français ainsi que les différentes façons de contrôler leurs filiales en France. Nous utilisons la méthodologie qualitative pour cette recherche. Au total, nous avons interviewé dix-sept entreprises chinoises ayant réalisé des IDE en France. Nos résultats montrent que la recherche de marchés et d’actifs stratégiques sont les principales motivations des IDE chinois en France. Le gouvernement chinois joue un rôle de promoteur dans le processus d’internationalisation des entreprises chinoises en France. Les entreprises chinoises préfèrent entrer en France par une filiale en propriété exclusive. Les cadres locaux jouent un rôle clé dans la gestion des filiales des entreprises chinoises en France. / This thesis aims to carry out an in-depth study on Chinese FDI, to analyse the strategy and organization of Chinese companies in France. For this, we study the main investment motivations for Chinese companies in France, their entry modes into the French market, and the different ways of controlling their subsidiaries in France. We used a qualitative methodology for this research. In total, we interviewed seventeen Chinese companies that carried out FDI in France. Our empirical findings indicate that market-seeking and strategic assets seeking are the main motivations for Chinese FDI in France. The Chinese government plays a role of promoter in the process of internationalization of Chinese companies in France. Chinese companies prefer to enter into France through wholly owned subsidiaries. Local managers play a key role in the management of the subsidiaries of Chinese firms in France.

A transferência de conhecimento internacional é fonte fundamental de vantagem competitiva das empresas multinacionais. Em razão do pressuposto tradicional de que a matriz da multinacional é a principal fonte de conhecimento, a maioria dos estudos tem-se centrado na transferência de conhecimento da matriz para as subsidiárias. Entretanto, a importância estratégica da subsidiária tem crescido nas últimas dédadas, em razão de seus recursos e de suas capacidades que podem contribuir ativamente para a geração de valor e o subsequente ganho de vantagem competitiva para toda a corporação multinacional. Este estudo investiga os fatores determinantes da transferência de conhecimento tecnológico que parte da subsidiária para a matriz (transferência reversa), em empresas multinacionais brasileiras, procurado integrar as contribuições da visão baseada no conhecimento e da teoria das redes. Para testar os pressupostos, foi conduzido um survey eletrônico com 78 subsidiárias, de um universo de 240 subsidiárias no exterior em 63 empresas multinacionais brasileiras. O método para a análise dos dados foi a modelagem de equações estruturais com estimação partial least esquare. Os resultados mostram que, ainda que em média extensão, as subsidiárias brasileiras transferem conhecimento tecnológico para a matriz, sobretudo os relacionados a produtos. Com relação aos fatores determinantes da transferência reversa de conhecimento tecnológico, os associados positivamente foram: características do conhecimento (complexidade), características das subsidiárias (ambiente institucional, autonomia e integração externa com os fornecedores) e características da interação matriz/subsidiárias (integração interna com a matriz e mecanismos de socialização via comunicação pessoal). O único fator associado negativamente foi a integração externa com instituições de C&T. Conclui-se que a matriz precisa elaborar uma estratégia de compartilhamento de conhecimento interno, a fim de motivar e incentivar, de forma deliberada, o fluxo do conhecimento gerado nas subsidiárias. Por sua vez, as subsidiárias devem tornar claro aos seus funcionários, os benefícios de melhorar a eficácia da transferência de conhecimento para, inclusive, melhorar seu posicionamento estratégico dentro da rede corporativa. / Knowledge transfer is key source of international competitive advantage of multinational companies. Due to the traditional assumption that the headquarter of the multinational is the main source of knowledge, most studies have focused on the transfer of knowledge from headquarters to subsidiaries. However, it has grown considerably in recent times the strategic importance of subsidiary, due to their resources and capabilities that can actively contribute to the generation of value and the subsequent gain of competitive advantage for the entire multinational corporation. This study investigates the determinants of technological knowledge transfer from the subsidiary to the parent company in Brazilian multinational companies, and sought to integrate the contributions of vision of the knowledge-based and networks theory. To test the assumptions we carried out an electronic survey with 78 subsidiaries, of a universe of 240 overseas subsidiaries from 63 Brazilian multinationals. The method of data analysis was the structural equation modeling with Partial Least Esquare Estimation. The results show that the Brazilian subsidiaries knowledge transfer to the headquarter, although in medium extent. Regarding the determinants of technological knowledge reverse transfer, the positive factors: characteristics of knowledge (complexity), characteristics of subsidiaries (location-specific factors, external integration with the supplier\'s chain and autonomy) and characteristics of the interaction headquarter/subsidiaries (headquarter integration and socialization mechanisms). The only negative factor was the external integration with Science and Technology Research. We conclude that the headquarter may need to develop a strategy for internal knowledge sharing, in order to motivate and encourage deliberately knowledge flow generated at the subsidiaries. In the order hand, the subsidiaries should make clear the benefits of improving the effectiveness of knowledge transfer improve its strategic position within the corporate network.

Submitted by Daniel Gomes de Moraes (daniel.moraes@citi.com) on 2012-09-25T14:09:15Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação MPFE 2012 - Daniel Moraes.pdf: 739467 bytes, checksum: f7d0525c360ce8418fae34c913e93102 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Suzinei Teles Garcia Garcia (suzinei.garcia@fgv.br) on 2012-09-25T14:36:33Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação MPFE 2012 - Daniel Moraes.pdf: 739467 bytes, checksum: f7d0525c360ce8418fae34c913e93102 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2012-09-25T14:40:32Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação MPFE 2012 - Daniel Moraes.pdf: 739467 bytes, checksum: f7d0525c360ce8418fae34c913e93102 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-08-27 / Este trabalho procura entender se a adoção de melhores práticas de governança corporativa relacionadas à gestão de caixa agrega valor às empresas multinacionais; e definir quais são as práticas mais efetivas. A amostra utilizada foi um conjunto de 206 empresas multinacionais, de 32 países, que responderam uma ampla pesquisa a respeito de suas práticas de gestão de caixa relacionadas à governança corporativa em 2010. O estudo revelou que algumas práticas associadas à governança de gestão de caixa agregam de fato valor. Entre elas, temos que (i) empresas que possuem políticas de concentração de caixa (cash pooling) possuem um menor custo de dívida e um menor ciclo de conversão de caixa; (ii) empresas com In-House Bank possuem uma maior rentabilidade; e (iii) empresas com processos automatizados de pagamentos, recebimentos e reconciliação possuem uma melhor margem operacional. Por outro lado, os dados não conseguiram mostrar resultados significantes para importantes práticas relacionadas à: visibilidade de caixa; intercompany netting; e à utilização de Centro de Serviços Compartilhados. / This paper aims to study if the adoption of best-in-class corporate governance practices related to Cash Management adds value in multinationals enterprises and to identify which practices are more effective. The sample used in this paper was a group of 206 multinationals, from 32 countries, that have answered a broad survey related to Cash Management practices related to corporate governance in 2010. The study has revealed that some practices associated to Cash Management governance indeed add value to the firms. Among the findings: (i) companies that have solid cash concentration (cash pooling) practices have a lower cost of debt and a shorter cash conversion cycle; (ii) companies with In-House Banks have a higher profitability; and (iii) companies with automated payments, receivables and reconciliation processes have a better operating margin. On the other hand, the data did not show significant results for important best-in-class practices such as: cash visibility, intercompany netting and shared services centers.

Les intégrations post-acquisitions up-market de multinationales émergentes (EMNE) dans des économies avancées ont été peu étudiées empiriquement. Cette recherche dresse une typologie des approches mises en œuvre suite à 25 acquisitions en France d’EMNE de 13 pays différents, et analyse les déterminants de leurs choix. L’approche partenariale est majoritairement adoptée, sous diverses modalités dynamiques, mais elle n’est pas systématique. La diversité des types d’intégration révèle l’influence de l’effet du pays d’origine des EMNE sur leurs décisions stratégiques. Cet effet est exploré sous l’angle des héritages administratifs des EMNE, précisément leurs imaginaires stratégiques et politiques qui influencent leur représentation des opportunités du contexte géo-économique global. / Few studies empirically addressed emerging multinationals (EMNE) integrations following up-market acquisitions in advanced economies countries. This research establishes a typology of the approaches adopted after 25 acquisitions in France by EMNE from 13 different countries, and analyses the antecedents of their choices. Partnering approach is predominantly adopted, with several dynamic forms, but is not systematic. The diversity of integration types reveals the significance of EMNE country-of-origin effect on their strategic decisions. This effect is investigated through EMNE administrative heritages, precisely their strategic and political imagination which influence their representation of the global geoeconomics context.

L'objectif de la recherche est de questionner le comportement des firmes multinationales issues de pays émergent (FMNE) lors de leur première acquisition majoritaire à l'international. En effet, devenue un phénomène d'ampleur mondial, l'internationalisation de ces firmes du Sud représente une nouveauté, une menace, mais également une opportunité dans le paysage économique mondial. Notre étude teste empiriquement les théories classiques du management international pensées pour les firmes du Nord (FMN) selon des méthodes quantitatives appliquées à un échantillon unique de 504 FMNE issues de la base de données SDC Platinum. Les résultats montrent qu'il existe trois catégories de FMNE influencées par les attributs du pays cibles, leur expérience d'acquisition internationale et leur réseau d'affaires étendu. En revanche, ces mêmes entreprises ne sont influencées ni par les attributs de leur pays domestique ni par leur expérience d'acquisition domestique ni par leur réseau d'affaires proche. Ces résultats éclairent ainsi les connaissances du champ des FMNE en confirmant certaines études dans la littérature tout en en contredisant d'autres. Ce travail de recherche précise donc un ensemble de connaissances scientifiques relatives au phénomène des FMNE et cristallise les réponses aux questionnements du champ à travers l'étude empirique des acquisitions majoritaires à l'international. / The research aims to investigate the emerging multinationals' (EMNE) behaviour through their first international acquisition. Indeed, because of the scope and scale of this international phenomenon, the internationalization of these firms portrayed a novelty, a threat, and an opportunity in the worldwide landscape as well. Our study tests empirically the international management theories basically thought for firms from industrialized economies (MNE) according to quantitative methodologies applied on a unique sample of 504 EMNE from SDC platinum database. The results find three EMNE groups influenced by target-country characteristics, international acquisition experience and extensive network. However, these same firms are not influenced by domestic-country characteristics, their domestic acquisition experience and their close network. These results highlight the field both in corroborate some studies and refute others. This research finally clarifies a set of scientific knowledge related to the EMNE phenomenon through an empirical study of the international acquisitions.

Micro-multinational is a relatively new term and there are still very few studies about how micro-multinationals choose their foreign entry market modes when internationalizing. This thesis attempts to add new knowledge filling the gap between the internal resources of a company and the foreign entry market mode selected for its internationalization process. Furthermore, a systematic methodology that combines internal resources with the selection of the foreign entry market mode will be developed with the goal of aligning the competitive advantages of the company along its international structure. The methodology that this research employs will show how to combine the internal resources of the case study company and its needs when internationalizing based on the characteristics of each foreign entry market mode. The first step of the methodology is determining the variables that categorize each foreign entry market mode that companies implement. Then, the application of the Resource-based View will show the possible competitive advantages of the case study company. Lastly, accounting for the requirements that the case study company has when internationalizing, the possible competitive advantages, derived from the Resource-based View, will be combined with the characteristics of each foreign entry market mode to determine effective recommendations for the case study company to implement in its internationalization strategy. The results of this research show that when a company wants to enter into a foreign market, it should evaluate that decision based on its internal resources. Only then will the company be able to exploit its competitive advantages and be successful in the new market. The decision to internationalize is influenced by requirements such as the level of control, commitment, risk and flexibility that the parent company is willing to have in the new foreign market. Hence, these requirements must be taken into consideration carefully during the entire decision process. / Micro-multinationals är en relativt ny term och det finns för tillfället få studier kring hur dessa företag ska bedriva sin utlandsexpansion när de internationaliserar verksamheten. Syftet med denna uppsats är att bidra med ny kunskap kring ämnet och medverka till att fylla kunskapsgapet som existerar i hur man kombinerar företagets interna resurser och valet av internationaliseringsstrategi. Vidare utvecklas en systematisk metodologi som kombinerar interna resurser med valet av internationaliseringsstrategi för att anpassa företagets konkurrensfördelar med dess internationaliseringsprocess. Metodologin som används i denna rapport visar hur interna resurser hos företaget i den aktuella fallstudien kan kombineras med dess behov för internationalisering baserat på egenskaperna hos varje enskild typ av utlandsexpansion. Första steget i metodologin är att avgöra vilka variabler som karaktäriserar varje enskild strategi för utlandsexpansion som företag planerar att implementera. Nästa steg är att applicera en “Resource-based View” som visar de möjliga konkurrensfördelarna för företagen i fallstudien. Slutligen kombineras kraven som företagen har ställt för sin internationalisering samt de konkurrensfördelar som de visades ha enligt “esoruce-based view” med de olika typerna av utlandsexpansion som finns tillgängliga med syftet att avgöra lämpliga rekommendationer för fallstudieföretagen rörande hur de ska gå till väga i sin internationalisering av verksamheten. Resultaten visar att när ett företag vill etablera sig på en utländsk marknad bör de evaluera beslutet med hänsyn till sina interna resurser. Först då kan företaget utnyttja sina konkurrensfördelar och bli framgångsrika på den nya marknaden.  Beslutet av hur internationaliseringen ska gå till påverkas av krav som moderbolaget har för den nya marknaden såsom behov av kontroll, grad av åtagande, risk och flexibilitet. Dessa krav måste tas i noggrann beaktning under hela beslutsprocessen.

No / In this paper we report on a composite index of international patent systems strength for 48 developing and industrialized countries annually from 1998 to 2011. Building upon earlier indices we develop a conceptual framework informed by transaction cost theory and derive measures which emphasize the importance of enforcement-related aspects of the patent system of countries. Findings reveal harmonization of the regulative aspects of patent protection internationally in the post-TRIPs era but not of overall national patent systems. The index should inform studies on the relationship between national patent systems and a range of international business and other phenomena. (C) 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Notre étude s’intéresse à la façon dont les entreprises multinationales utilisent et gèrent la mobilité internationale de leurs employés. Plus précisément, nous cherchions à déterminer l’importance que les entreprises multinationales accordent à leur stratégie internationale au moment de décider de la façon d’utiliser l’expatriation et de la gérer au moyen des programmes de mobilité internationale. Bien que l’objet principal de notre recherche soit d’observer l’influence de la stratégie internationale sur ces programmes, nous avons cherché également à identifier d’autres caractéristiques de chaque entreprise et de son environnement susceptibles de les influencer. Cette démarche nous a permis de déterminer si les entreprises multinationales qui adoptent des programmes de mobilité internationale similaires partagent une même orientation stratégique au niveau international ou plutôt d’autres caractéristiques. Notre étude, effectuée auprès de professionnels de la GRH responsables de la gestion de la mobilité internationale, visait, dans un premier temps, à identifier le type de stratégie internationale privilégiée par les entreprises, ainsi que l’approche de la gestion internationale des ressources humaines qu’elles favorisent. Dans un deuxième temps, nous avons cherché à identifier le type de programme de mobilité internationale en place dans chaque entreprise à partir de l’analyse de leurs composantes (politiques et pratiques RH). Nous avons tiré deux conclusions principales de notre étude. Premièrement, la mobilité internationale, plus particulièrement l’expatriation, constitue toujours un important outil d’expansion et de survie des entreprises multinationales. Deuxièmement, les entreprises multinationales l’utilisent différemment en fonction de leurs objectifs stratégiques et la gèrent de façon très pragmatique, en tenant compte d’une panoplie de facteurs tels le nombre d’expatriés, la culture managériale de l’entreprise, les caractéristiques de leur secteur d’activité, leur expérience et les difficultés rencontrées en cours de route. / Our study looks at how multinational corporations use and manage the international mobility of their employees. More specifically, we sought to determine to which extent multinationals consider their international management strategy in deciding how to use the expatriation managed through international mobility programs. Although the main purpose of our research is to observe the influence of the international management strategy on these programs, we also sought to identify other characteristics of each firm and its environment that may influence them. Our study, conducted among HR professionals responsible for management of international mobility, intended, in a first step, to identify the type of international management strategy favored by firms and the approach to international management of human resources they lead to. In a second step, we sought to identify the type of international mobility program in place in each firm from the analysis of their components (HR policies and practices). We drew two main conclusions of our study. First, international mobility, especially expatriation, is still an important tool for growth and survival of multinational corporations. Second, multinational corporations use expatriation differently depending on their strategic objectives and manage it very pragmatically, taking into account a variety of factors including the number of expatriates, the managerial culture of the company, the characteristics of their industry, their experience and difficulties encountered during the journey.