Firm size and Chinese firms' internationalization speed in advanced and developing countries: The moderating effects of marketization and inward FDI

How can firm size influence outward FDI (OFDI) expansion speed of emerging market firms (EMFs)? Because firm size may have two opposing effects, this study explored this question in the advanced and developing country environments respectively. Applying the Uppsala model (UM) and institution-based view (IBV), this research developed several hypotheses and examined them on a Chinese sample. This research found the different influences of firm size on EMFs’ OFDI expansion speed in advanced and developing countries. Marketization and inward FDI (IFDI) can moderate these influences. This research contributes to the UM and the internationalization speed research, updates our understanding of the IFDI-OFDI relationship, and solves the conflict associated with firm size.