FDI expansion speed of state-owned enterprises and the moderating role of market capitalism: Evidence from China

•The negative impact of state ownership on the speed of FDI expansion is attributed to the state socialism logic.•Firms associated with the market capitalism logic shape the market-oriented institutional context that may influence SOEs’ FDI practice.•The non-state economy in a subnational region positively moderate the relationship between state ownership and FDI expansion speed.•Privately owned enterprises in an industry sector positively moderate the relationship between state ownership and FDI expansion speed. Drawing on an institutional logics perspective and isomorphism viewpoint, we posit that the negative impact of state ownership on the speed of foreign direct investment (FDI) expansion is attributed to the state socialism logic, which is inconsistent with market-oriented mechanisms that underpin rapid international expansion. We further argue that firms associated with the market capitalism logic shape an institutional context in which state-owned enterprises (SOEs) may adjust their behaviors by adopting market-oriented practices to expand quickly in the global market. Using outward FDI project information from Chinese listed firms over a fourteen-year period, we find evidence that confirms our theoretical predictions. Our analysis shows that, despite the negative relationship between state ownership and the speed of an SOE’s FDI expansion, both the non-state economy in the firm’s subnational region and privately owned enterprises in its industry sector positively moderate this relationship. This study enriches our understanding of institutional complexity in emerging markets and internationalization of emerging-market firms.