Li, H; Yuan, W and Xu, J (2025) How to predict the entry mode of international construction contractor: A case-based reasoning approach. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 32(4), pp. 2299-2319. ISSN 0969-9988
Abstract
Purpose: This study aimed to identify a specific taxonomy of entry modes for international construction contractors and to develop a decision-making mechanism based on case-based reasoning (CBR) to facilitate the selection of the most suitable entry modes. Design/methodology/approach: According to the experience orientation of the construction industry, a CBR entry mode decision model was established, and based on successful historical cases, a two-step refinement process was carried out to identify similar situations. Then the validity of the model is proved by case analysis. Findings: This study identified an entry mode taxonomy for international construction contractors (ICCs) and explored their decision-making mechanisms. First, a two-dimension model of entry mode for ICCs was constructed from ownership and value chain dimensions; seven common ICC entry modes were identified and ranked according to market commitment. Secondly, this study reveals the impact mechanism of the ICC entry mode from two aspects: the external environment and enterprise characteristics. Accordingly, an entry mode decision model is established. Practical implications: Firstly, sorting out the categories of entry mode in the construction field, which provide an entry mode list for ICCs to select. Secondly, revealing the impact mechanism of ICC entry mode, which proposes a systematic decision-making system for the selection of ICC entry mode. Thirdly, constructing a CBR entry mode decision-making model from an empirical perspective, which offers tool support and reduces transaction costs in the decision-making process. Originality/value: The study on entry modes for ICCs is still in the preliminary exploratory stage. The authors investigate the entry mode categories and decision-making mechanisms for ICCs based on Uppsala internationalization process theory. It widens the applied scope of Uppsala and promotes cross-disciplinary integration. In addition, the authors creatively propose a two-stage retrieval mechanism in the CBR model, which considers the order of decision variables. It refines the influence path of the decision variables on ICCs' entry mode.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | case-based reasoning; iccs entry mode; market attractiveness; organizational capabilities; psychic distance; strategic orientation |
| Index terms: | validity, internationalization, decision-making process, value chain, dimension, taxonomy, construction industry, international construction, ownership, entry mode, commitment, transaction cost, case-based reasoning, organizational capability, integration, methodology, decision-making |
| Subjects: | health monitoring assessment and metrics, data analysis and analytics, industry analysis, decision analysis, sociology, organizational analysis, value chain strategy, economics, economic analysis, psychology, strategic management, evaluation and assessment methods, financial analysis, cognitive psychology, market analysis, research methods |
| Topics: | Risk Management, Health and Safety, Supply Chain Management, Research Practice, Cost Management, Organizational Design, International Construction |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here