Knee Deep in the Big Muddy: The Survival of Emerging Market Firms in Developed Markets

This study of Latin American banks located in the United States employs a resource-based framework to explain how subunits of emerging market firms can overcome the challenges of operating in a developed market. Our results show that an EMF subunit can draw upon ethnic identity as a valuable and costly-to-imitate resource to achieve competitive parity in the developed market. Ethnic resources can be generated not only from ethnically similar customers but also from ethnically similar competitors in the local market. In addition, the parent firm’ level local and non-local resources can help to achieve competitive parity for the EMF subunits in that country, which in turn positively influences survival. However, over expansion can lead to spreading local and non-local resources too thin, thus adversely affecting survival.

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Market Entry Strategies and Performance of Chinese Firms in Germany: The Moderating Effect of Home Government Support

This study uses data at the firm level to examine the relationship between the market entry strategies of 556 Chinese MNEs and their performance in Germany. Based on the revisited Uppsala internationalization process model, we develop six hypotheses on the impact of different market entry modes on performance, and on the moderating effect of home government support on this relationship. The findings show significant effects of location choice, activity mode and establishment mode, as well as duration of market presence on performance. Furthermore, strong interaction effects of home government support on these relationships reveal that the advantages of different market entry strategies are amplified by home government support. We conclude with theoretical and managerial implications, as well as a reflection of limitations and directions for future research. We conclude with theoretical and managerial implications as well as a reflection of limitations and directions of future research. The study contributes to international management research by integrating performance effects and the facilitating role of home government support into the internationalization process model.     

Strategies of European SMEs in Biotechnology: The Role of Size,Technology and Market

Both the technological and market focus of 228 European biotechnology SMEs are analysed in this paper. Data from the Genetic Engineering catalogue provide a complementary representation compared to the patent publications that are most commonly used. Results of the analysis produce a new view of the development of biotech SMEs. First, no pattern of specialisation by country is observed, even though three types of company with different technological focus can be distinguished in the sample. Second, it is argued that the rapid technological evolution in this domain can hardly be explained by a rapid evolution of the technological basis of the companies, and should consequently be explained primarily by the creation of new SMEs. Third, four different patterns of linkage between technology and market focus are observed, by means of co-word analysis.     

Market Orientation, Embeddedness and the Autonomy and Performance of Multinational Subsidiaries in an Emerging Economy

• This paper develops a conceptual framework for market orientation, embeddedness, autonomy and performance of multinational subsidiaries in an emerging economy.
• We argue that internal and external embeddedness has different performance implications for export- and local market-oriented multinational subsidiaries.
• Our results, based on a sample of 233 multinational subsidiaries from China, indicate that while external embeddedness has a positive impact on specialized resources of both types of subsidiary, such resources only positively affect the performance of local market-oriented subsidiaries. By contrast, internal embeddedness has a negative impact on specialized resources of both types of subsidiary.
• Managerial and policy implications are discussed.

     

Regional and Global Technological Knowledge Search Strategies and the Innovative Performance of Large Multinational Corporations

This study focuses on the innovative performance implications of large MNCs' regional and global technological knowledge search strategies. In networked MNCs, the parent can still offer valuable knowledge to subsidiaries. The parent's and a subsidiary's knowledge becomes complementary if an MNC appropriately adopts a global strategy at the parent level and a regional strategy at the subsidiary level. An analysis of the world's largest firms in the Electrical Equipment industry shows that, in general, a global strategy improves the innovative performance of the MNC. Meanwhile, only the combination of a global strategy at the parent level and a regional strategy at the subsidiary level is positively associated with the innovative performance of the MNC. This study contributes to the literature on networked MNCs and the debate of globalization and regionalization. Managerial implications are discussed as well.     

Safety Performance Indicator for alcohol in road accidents—International comparison, validity and data quality

Safety Performance Indicators, SPIs, are developed for various areas within road safety such as speed, car occupant protection, alcohol and drugs, vehicle safety, etc. SPIs can be used to indicate the road safety situation and to compare road safety performance between countries and over time and to understand the process leading to accidents, helping to select the measures to reduce them. This article describes an alcohol SPI defined as the percentage of fatalities resulting from accidents involving at least one driver impaired by alcohol. The calculation of the alcohol SPI for 26 European countries shows that the SPI varies from 4.4% in Bulgaria to 72.2% in Italy. These results raise the question if the results reflect the real situation or if there is a methodological explanation. To answer this question three different studies were carried out: comparison with other alcohol SPIs, in-depth studies of data quality in seven selected countries, and a study of correlations between the SPI and influencing factors.These studies indicate clearly that there is a need to improve quality of the data used for the alcohol SPI. Most importantly, the total number of drivers involved in fatal accidents, the number tested for alcohol and the number not tested, should be reported, in addition to the number of alcohol positive and negative drivers among those tested. Until these improvements are made, the validity of this SPI seems poor and comparison of the alcohol SPI results across countries should be made with caution.     

Obliging Institutions and Industry Evolution: A Comparative Study of the German and UK Wind Energy Industries

This paper firstly examines the relationship between state coordination and wind energy growth by comparing the differences between UK and German institutional configurations and state involvements in the 1990s. While the EU was calling for a unified regulatory framework for its member states, the UK and Germany adopted very different renewable energy policies. The evidence of the early 1990s shows that the British government employed “deregulation” with so limited state involvement that wind energy project developers faced thorny development problems, while the German government tried to require the electricity supply industry to purchase expensive wind power by “regulation” but encountered formidable resistance. Nevertheless, both the British and German administrations later could resolve these problems through new forms of state power. This suggests that, firstly, neither “deregulation” nor “regulation” is an effective means to develop wind power with increasing electricity liberalization and regionalization. Secondly, “obliging” regulations and state powers are vital to the policy outcome by harnessing the state's institutional capacity to smooth out technology innovation and diffusion.     

Measuring the Performance of Born-Global Firms Throughout Their Development Process: The Roles of Initial Market Selection and Internationalisation Speed

Recent efforts have been made to operationalise the performance of born-global (BG) firms in ways that acknowledge their unique characteristics and strategies. This paper explores the BG development process and assesses the relevance of various types of performance measures. Two questions are addressed: first, which types of performance measures are most relevant to BGs in the various phases of their development? Second, how do initial market selection and internationalisation speed influence BG development, and therefore the relevance of performance measures? Drawing on international entrepreneurship theory, this study undertook a progressive focussing, theory development/refinement (abduction) approach. Utilising a multiple case study design, data were collected primarily through in-depth, face-to-face interviews with senior managers from Australian BGs and with industry experts and analysed using open, axial and selective coding. Data were collected from BGs across each of the three phases of BG development: pre-start-up/venture creation; early international entry/development; and international growth/consolidation. Building on recent conceptualisations of the BG development process, we found that the relevance of performance measures is dependent, in part, on the BG’s phase of development. Further, the rapidity of internationalisation and the psychic distance of initial markets influence the duration of each phase. The unique characteristics and strategies of BGs should be reflected in the measures used to evaluate their performance in each of the three phases. This study represents the first empirical examination into the measurement of BG performance across the phases of development, providing a foundation for future scale development.     

中国城市要素利用质量水平测算与研究:基于要素市场扭曲视角

基于2000-2016年期间中国30个地区260个地级及以上城市的平衡面板数据,将要素市场扭曲划分为资本要素市场扭曲和劳动要素市场扭曲两个部分,采用超越对数生产函数测算中国城市资本要素市场扭曲和劳动力要素市场扭曲水平并进行研究,在此基础上进一步分析城市生产要素扭曲水平与城市规模之间的关系。研究结果发现:2000-2016年期间,中国城市总体的资本要素市场和劳动力要素市场均处于较为严重的扭曲状态,两种要素市场上均出现了负向扭曲,且资本要素市场扭曲比劳动力要素市场扭曲程度更为严重,即城市资本—劳动相对扭曲指数显著大于1;中国260个城市的资本要素市场均出现负向扭曲,劳动力要素市场出现正向扭曲和负向扭曲的城市分别占据全部样本城市的38.5%和61.5%;中国城市要素市场扭曲水平与城市规模均呈现倒“U”型关系,当城市人口规模分别超过475.80万人和379.18万人时,城市人口规模对资本要素市场扭曲和劳动力要素市场扭曲的影响由正向变为负向。     

略论现代包装设计的市场价值、促销功能与消费心理

现代包装设计是商品销售策略中的一大支往，精是的包装装潢在竞销中的重要功能巳引起业内的广泛关注，包装设计不是单纯的美现与实用的结合，它还必须考虑其市场价值、促销功能与消费行为心理诸要素。以人为本，为生活而设计才有现代包装设计的强大生命力。     

Project Governance,Project Performance,and the Mediating Role of Project Quality and Project Management Risk: An Agency Theory Perspective

Abstract

Although project governance has garnered the attention of academicians, the area remains underdeveloped. This study measures the influence of project governance on project performance directly as well as through the mediation of project management risk and project quality and with moderation of project leadership. The survey yielded 354 responses from 132 Pakistani software firms, while SEM was applied using AMOS-21 for data analysis. This study finds that project governance has a significant positive influence on project performance directly and through mediation, whereas the moderation is insignificant. The findings will help not only Pakistan’s software firms but also those in developing countries to improve their projects’ performance through effective project governance.     

Gains from Change: The Impact of Market and Mode of Service Changes on Performance in the US International Telecommunication Services Industry

There exists a fundamental tension for firms in their questfor improved performance and survival. On the one band firmsthat make major changes, such as in the markets they serve orthe modes of service they use, risk disrupting the routinesthat underlie their knowledge of production and markets. Theyalso must develop new routines in order to succeed in the newmarkets or modes of service. The alternative approach, to staythe course in current markets and service modes, can be equallybazardous. As changes occur in institutions, technologies andcompetitors, a firm's persistence in current strategies willprobably lead to greater risks of failure. Nonetheless, do allfirms face the same risks of change? In this paper I proposea baseline model of firm change behavior. My research questionis whether a firm's ability to undertake major changes is enhancedby previous change experience. Empirically, I discuss changesto the markets that firms serve and the service modes they use.I outline bypotheses that can be tested within the context ofinternational telecommunications service firms providing telecommunicationservices between the USA and the rest of the world during theperiod of national competition following the Modified FinalJudgement.     

Success Factors of Regional Strategies for Multinational Corporations: Exploring the Appropriate Degree of Regional Management Autonomy and Regional Product/Service Adaptation

This paper examines the factors that drive the success of multinational corporations (MNCs) in their pursuit of regional strategies. Based on contingency theory, we develop a comprehensive regional success factor model to investigate the effects of regional management autonomy and regional product/service adaptation on the regional success of MNCs. Using structural equation modelling, we also analyse the interaction effects of regional orientation and inter-regional distance. We evaluate our model by means of both primary and secondary data for Fortune Global 500 firms. Our findings show that appropriate degrees of regional management autonomy and regional product/service adaptation are highly contingent upon contextual influences on MNCs.     

The properties of Safety Performance Indicators in target setting, projections and safety design of the road transport system

Road traffic Safety Performance Indicators (SPIs) are becoming increasingly used as an instrument for the planning and monitoring of safety progress. SPIs form an intermediate step between actions and final outcome in terms of casualties in road crashes. It is understood that SPIs are closely related to outcome; and that it is also possible to use them in calculations and predictions of both actions and final outcome. In the present study, it was found that some of the properties assigned to SPIs could be questioned. An assumption of linearity between SPIs and final outcome was partly rejected. It was also found that 100% fulfillment of a set of SPIs could lead to very low mortality, demonstrating the importance of handling SPIs simultaneously.     

Effects of Project-Related and Organizational-Related Factors on Five Dimensions of Project Performance: A Study Across the Construction Sectors in Malaysia

Abstract

The objective of this research is to analyze the relationships of project-related and organizational-related factors with five dimensions of project performance across different sectors of the construction industry. Data collected from the project managers and directors of 360 construction firms in Malaysia were analyzed using multiple-regression technique with size of the organization as a control variable. The important finding is that the effects of project-related and organizational-related factors differ by sector type and by dimensions of project performance. The findings of this study can help project managers devise and implement appropriate strategies to support project success.     

营改增、税收征管与资本市场质量——基于中国上市公司盈余质量视角的实证检验

健全和有效率的资本市场是中国经济高质量发展的重要驱动力。中国资本市场A股中小投资者占比90%以上,数量已经超过1.6亿,保护中小投资者利益,建设高质量资本市场显得尤为重要。基于上市公司盈余质量视角,论文试图对营改增、税收征管与资本市场质量的相关性展开实证讨论。因现有分税制格局并未发生根本变化,需要检验地方政府是否会因为结构性减税效应导致强化税收征管,传递到资本市场上,因此能够提高上市公司盈余质量,从而有利于提升中国资本市场的优质信用形象。实证结果显示:营改增后,地方税务机关普遍强化了税务征管力度,并由此促进了上市公司盈余质量的提升;相较市场化程度较低的西部地区,市场化程度高的东部地区企业盈余质量提升效果更显著。     

The renaissance of home hemodialysis: where we are, why we got here, what is happening in the United States and elsewhere

Home hemodialysis has been around since 1964, but its use has declined over the years in most countries, this despite its advantages, particularly improved patient survival and quality of life and significant cost savings. Experience has shown that home hemodialysis can be performed successfully by many more patients than at present. Recently, with the demonstration of even better results with more frequent hemodialysis that is obviously best performed at home and with the development of new, more patient-friendly machines, the use of home hemodialysis is beginning to increase again.     

空调表冷器性能微机测试系统设计与软件开发

介绍了一套用于空调表冷器性能测试的试验装置及配套软件，重点叙述了系统的总体构成、程序的设计思想以及数据采样和处理等功能模块。微机测试技术以及配套软件的使用大大减少了测试人员的工作量，并在一定程度上提高了测试的精度。     

PbS量子点能级结构的尺寸和配体依赖性及其对异质结电池性能的影响

通过电化学循环伏安测试和吸收光谱测试, 确定了有机配体(油酸)和原子配体(四正丁基碘化铵, TBAI)钝化的不同粒径(2.6~4.5 nm)PbS量子点的导带和价带能级, 并研究了量子点尺寸对PbS/TiO₂异质结电池(空气气氛中制备)性能的影响。结果表明：PbS量子点的能级结构受其粒径大小和表面配体特性的影响。当PbS量子点尺寸从2.6 nm增加至4.5 nm时, 油酸包覆PbS量子点的导带底从-3.67 eV减小到-4.0 eV, 价带顶从-5.19 eV增加到-4.97 eV; 而对于TBAI配体置换的PbS量子点, 其导带底和价带顶则分别从-4.15 eV和-5.61 eV变化至-4.51 eV和-5.46 eV。粒径为3.9 nm的PbS量子点所制备的电池性能最优, 其能量转化效率达到2.32%, 这可归因于其适宜的禁带宽度、结晶质量和良好的PbS/TiO₂界面能级匹配度。