Western Multinational Corporations in Latin America

This book advances the debate on socio-economic development and multinational corporations (MNCs). It provides an actor-centered perspective and develops the framework called 'Conflating Capitalisms' that allows for a better understanding of both MNC-induced institutional change in the host country and the subsequent impact on local development.
The book uses the empirical case of Western MNCs in Latin America. It applies a sequential mixed-method design, including a large-scale elite survey on corporate behavior and in-depth, semi-structured interviews with local decision-makers on the institutionalization of German dual vocational training (DVT) in Brazil.
The book presents strong evidence for both behavioral contradiction in the host country - with MNCs showing alien-to-the-system behavior - and subsequent actor-induced institutional change, with varied developmental impact. Additionally, the book offers novel insights into MNCs' handling of missing complementary institutions and the institutionalization process of coordinated practices in Latin America.