Asymmetric information as a key determinant for locational choice of MNC headquarters and the development of financial centers: A case for China

Abstract

As a socialist market economy, the spatial effect of asymmetric information is much more effective in China where most of the information sources are centralized to a few administrative and governmental bodies. The objective of this paper is thus to testify the impact of asymmetric information on the locational choice of foreign MNCs in China based on our investigation. By doing so, we try to illustrate that asymmetric information is the key determinant of the locational choice of MNC headquarters and the development of financial centers. The findings of the paper argue that contrary to the traditional point of view, Beijing has more advantages than Shanghai in developing into the biggest service and financial center in China since its attractiveness to the MNC headquarters is far pronounced according to the asymmetric information criterion and requirement. © 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.