Cross-border acquisitions and the performance of Chinese publicly listed companies

Abstract Based on resource dependence theory, agency theory, and institutional theory, we develop an integrated conceptual framework for motivations, moderators, and performance of Chinese cross-border acquisitions. We then use a unique dataset, which covers the 2003–2016 period, to examine how market-seeking, resource-seeking, and managerial self-interest motivations of cross-border acquisitions influence the performance of China’s manufacturing sector publicly listed companies (PLCs). Analysis of the aggregated data shows strong support for market-seeking motivation for cross-border acquisitions. But we only find weak support for resource-seeking motivation. Our analysis also reveals the underlying agency problem thus supporting the managerial self-interest motivation for cross-border acquisitions. Disaggregated data analysis shows that all cross-border acquisitions are driven by market-seeking motivation, whereas resource-seeking is the main driver of acquisitions by state-owned and low-tech PLCs. Acquisitions by China’s private-owned PLCs and medium/high-tech PLCs are also motivated by managerial self-interest in free cash flow, which leads to the principal-agent conflict.