Internationalization

About: Internationalization is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 18414 publications have been published within this topic receiving 427742 citations. The topic is also known as: internationalisation & Internationalization.

Managing the Embedded Multinational: A Business Network View

Abstract: It has long been recognized that controlling complex organizations like multinational enterprises (MNEs) is a multi-dimensional problem. Efficient organizational structures based on Coasian transaction costs often run afoul of individual or sub-unit goals, resulting in vertical conflicts between headquarters and subsidiaries (Nohria and Ghoshal, 1994). Further, horizontal competition among subsidiaries intent on promoting their own strategic agendas within the MNE results in internecine competition over resources and consequent rents (Mudambi and Navarra, 2004). Thus, the resulting organization and control structures of MNEs are the outcome of political processes where ‘power explains results when the organization sacrifices efficiency to serve special interests’ (Williamson and Ouchi, 1981). The network view of the MNE, built up over the years by the Uppsala school, is based on the essential recognition of the political aspects of the MNE, that is, ‘the political perspective stresses the fact that a great deal of the market knowledge … so important in explaining the internationalization process is controlled by subsidiaries rather than by the parent company’ (Forsgren, 1989). The current book sheds further light on the politics of the MNE by developing and extending the notion of embeddedness. It demonstrates that the Uppsala school remains fecund – a continuing source of new ideas on the cutting edge of IB research. Charles Dhanaraj's critical review provides an excellent dissection of the book, highlighting its pioneering aspects and linking it to methodologically rigorous mainstream research in management and sociology. Ram Mudambi JIBS Book Review Editor References Forsgren, M. (1989) Managing the Internationalization Process: The Swedish Case, Routledge: London. Mudambi, R. and Navarra, P. (2004) ‘Is knowledge power? Knowledge flows, subsidiary power and rent-seeking within MNCs’, Journal of International Business Studies 35(5): 385–406. Nohria, N. and Ghoshal, S. (1994) ‘Differentiated fit and shared values: alternatives for managing headquarters-subsidiary relations’, Strategic Management Journal 15(6): 491–502. Williamson, O.E. and Ouchi, W.G. (1981) ‘The markets and hierarchies program of research: origins, implications, prospects’, in A.E. Van de Ven and W.F. Joyce (eds.) Perspectives on Organization Design and Behavior, John Wiley: New York.

The Researcher/Interviewer in Intercultural Context: A Social Intruder!.

Abstract: The search for improved understanding in cross‐cultural contexts is resulting in a correspondingly high increase in cross‐cultural studies in diverse fields and disciplines. Globalization, economic universalism and internationalization of technology, as well as increased international mobility, immigration and relocation accelerated by the communication explosion, are drawing the world closer, but with an increasing awareness of differences, particularly across the given historical and eco‐political divides. The challenge to research is to communicate meaningfully across these divides. This article explores the issues surrounding cross‐cultural interviewing. Against the backdrop of growing emphasis on cross‐cultural research, there is an emerging need to reconsider interviewing as a research tool with a focus on the interview participants' subjectivities and the subsequent interplay with data collection and making meaning. This entails a recognition of the deep consequences of culture — the emb...

Offshore outsourcing as a source of international competitiveness for SMEs

Abstract: Scholars typically view offshore outsourcing as a means of reducing the cost of manufacturing activities for large corporations, yet offshore outsourcing may entail administrative and technical services, and may include activities outsourced by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Drawing on research in international entrepreneurship and services, we hypothesize and find evidence that offshore outsourcing of administrative and technical services by SMEs is associated with greater extent and scope of internationalization of sales. Offshore outsourcing enhances international competitiveness by enabling SMEs to reduce costs, expand relational ties, serve customers more effectively, free up scarce resources, and leverage capabilities of foreign partners.

Political Economy and the Changing Global Order

Abstract: PART 1: UNDERSTANDING THE CHANGING GLOBAL ORDER: Introduction - Conceptualizing the Changing Global Order - G. Underhill Global Restructuring: Making Sense of the Changing International Political Economy - R. Cox Labour, the Keynesian Welfare State and the Changing Political Economy - A. Martin Knowledge, Politics and Neo-Liberal Economy - S. Gill Interdependence of Security and Economic Issues in the New World Order - B. Buzan Rethinking Structural Change in the International Political Economy - S. Strange Theory as Exclusion: Gender and International Political Economy - S. Whitworth International Political Economy and the Changing World Order: Evolution or Involution? - R. Leaver. PART 2: GLOBAL ISSUES: Introduction - Global Issues in Historical Perspective - R. Stubbs & G. Underhill From Bretton Woods to Global Finance - E. Helleiner Understanding Patterns of Macroeconomic Policy Co-ordination in the Post-war Period - M. Webb Regulating International Banking and Securities - W. Coleman & T. Porter Promoting a Global Economy: Normative Role of the International Monetary Fund - L. Pauly Post-Fordism, Transnational Production and the Changing Global Political Economy - M. Bernard The Changing GATT System and the Uruguay Round Negotiations - P. Nicolaides Agricultural Trade and the International Political Economy - G. Skogstad The Future of the International Trading System - M. Busch & H. Milner Global Institutions, International Agreements and Environmental Issues - D. Glover The Political Economy of North-South Relations - M. Marchand US Domestic Interests and the Latin American Debt Crisis - M. Shepherd The Political Economy of Middle Eastern Oil - A. A. Kubursi & S. Mansur. PART 3: REGIONAL DYNAMICS: Introduction - Global Trends, Regional Patterns - R. Stubbs & G. Underhill The Changing European Political Economy - P. C. Padoan The Political Economy of North American Free Trade - D. Leyton-Brown The Political Economy of the Asia-Pacific Region - R. Stubbs Eastern and Central Europe in the World Political Economy - I. Kearns Marginalization of Africa in the New World (Dis)order - T. Shaw & J. Inegbedion The Political Economy of Inter-American Relations - J. Nef PART 4: STATE POLICIES IN THE GLOBAL ORDER: Introduction - State Policies and Global Changes - R. Stubbs & G. Underhill Gridlock and Decline: Financial Internationalization, Banking Politics and the Political Process - P. G. Cerny The Politics of International Structural Change: Aggressive Unilateralism in American Trade Policy - P. Martin The European Community: Testing the Boundaries of Foreign Economic Policy - M. Smith Germany in the International Economy - K. Gretschmann The Political Economy of Japanese Trade - M. W. Donnelly India, the LDCs and GATR Negotiations on Trade and Investments in Services - S. D. McDowell The Canadian State in the International Economy - M. Molot Australia and the Pacific Region. (Part contents).

International entrepreneurship and geographic location: an empirical examination of new venture internationalization

Abstract: In this paper, we argue that geographic location may be one reason why some ventures are able to acquire the resources needed to internationalize while others cannot. We use ecological arguments to predict an inverted U-shaped relationship between the concentration of industry clustering within a geographic location and the venture’s internationalization. We also explore whether venture characteristics influence the nature of this relationship. Our hypotheses are regressed on international intensity and scope, and analyzed through a sample of 156 publicly held new ventures. Results confirm that location influences new venture internationalization, and firm characteristics impact the nature of the relationship.