Uncovering Intensity of the Actions and Behaviors of Local Stakeholders in Foreignness Research

Prior studies have classified the valence (i.e., prosocial or antisocial) of the actions and behaviors of local stakeholders towards foreign firms. While prosocial actions and behaviors are classified as assets of foreignness (i.e., AOF), antisocial actions and behaviors are classified as liabilities of foreignness (i.e., LOF). However, prior studies have tended to neglect the intensity (i.e., passive or active) of the actions and behaviors of local stakeholders. We conceptualize intensity as a significant dimension of the actions and behaviors of local stakeholders towards foreign firms, as well as recategorize the actions and behaviors of local stakeholders, which have been captured in previous studies, based on valence and intensity. We propose that active LOFs are high intensity (i.e., active) antisocial actions and behaviors, passive LOFs are low intensity (i.e., passive) antisocial actions and behaviors, active AOFs are high intensity (i.e., active) prosocial actions and behaviors, and passive AOFs are low intensity (i.e., passive) prosocial actions and behaviors.