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International market withdrawal of family-owned multinationals: Socioemotional wealth heterogeneity under uncertainty

Kaiyang Sun & Henry Shi

Journal of International Management2026https://doi.org/10.1016/j.intman.2026.101367article
AJG 3ABDC A
Weight
0.50

Abstract

International market withdrawal is an important yet under-theorised component of firms' international strategies. Existing international business research largely views withdrawal as a rational response to financial underperformance, overlooking the non-financial objectives that shape decisions of family-owned multinational enterprises (FMNEs). Integrating the socioemotional wealth (SEW) perspective with the mixed-gamble logic, this study examines how distinct SEW dimensions influence FMNEs' international market withdrawal under heightened uncertainty. Using data from Chinese FMNEs during the COVID-19 period from 2019 to 2023, we find that family control increases the likelihood of withdrawal, particularly under financial underperformance, whereas family identification, binding social ties, emotional attachment, and dynastic succession reduce withdrawal propensity. Further analyses show that financial underperformance amplifies asset-protection motives while weakening persistence-enhancing SEW effects. By disaggregating SEW and embedding it within a mixed-gamble framework, this study advances international business exit theory by clarifying how family firm heterogeneity shapes withdrawal behaviour under heightened uncertainty.

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https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.intman.2026.101367

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@article{kaiyang2026,
  title        = {{International market withdrawal of family-owned multinationals: Socioemotional wealth heterogeneity under uncertainty}},
  author       = {Kaiyang Sun & Henry Shi},
  journal      = {Journal of International Management},
  year         = {2026},
  doi          = {https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.intman.2026.101367},
}

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Evidence weight

0.50

Balanced mode · F 0.40 / M 0.15 / V 0.05 / R 0.40

F · citation impact0.50 × 0.4 = 0.20
M · momentum0.50 × 0.15 = 0.07
V · venue signal0.50 × 0.05 = 0.03
R · text relevance †0.50 × 0.4 = 0.20

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