Trade Reforms and Technological Accumulation: the Case of the Industrial Sector in Argentina during the 1990s

The impacts of trade liberalisation on technological development are particularly important because of their dynamic long-term effects on the economy. The paper pursues a comprehensive approach to technological change that relies on drawing a contrast between visible changes in performance and decision-making processes that stem from a behavioural dimension. Based on the Argentinean Innovation Survey (1997) the paper justifies the importance of a joint determination of these two dimensions for analysing macro-micro links of technological change as the most adequate way of assessing the impact of major macro-policy change on technology. It is organised in three parts. The first part critically discusses the main theoretical arguments that relate trade liberalisation to technological accumulation. The second part claims that the ultimate impact of openness on technological performance is dependent on its incidence on the elements that guide firms' technological decisions. Therefore, a model for micro technological behaviour and trade liberalisation is developed in the light of the Schumpeterian literature and illustrated using techniques appropriate for non-parametric data. Part three emphasises the importance of macro behaviour. Based on empirical information for the Argentinean case it is claimed that the biological metaphor which states that an open market is sufficient to select the best performing firms is often invalid in the context of Argentinean macro behaviour during the 1990s. On the contrary, firms had higher probabilities of remaining in the market when they followed a survival attitude unrelated to productive activities, and this often hampered technological performance. Thus two distinct patterns emerged, one corresponding to technological performance and the other to economic performance.Trade liberalisation, macro-micro links, technological behaviour, efficiency, development, Argentina

Ethics and taxation : a cross-national comparison of UK and Turkish firms

This paper investigates responses to tax related ethical issues facing busines

Determinants and dimensions of firm growth

Firm growth is an important indicator of a thriving economy. Although the determinants of firm growth have been studied in various disciplines, an integrated analysis is still lacking. This paper attempts to provide such an analysis. Many determinants of firm growth are summarized and classified into three dimensions: individual, organizational, and environmental determinants. By conducting an empirical study using 523 Dutch small and medium sized firms, we identify the determinants of firm growth which is measured by employment growth. Our findings show that environmental determinants do not affect firm growth. Individual ones do: entrepreneurs with growth motivation and having technical knowledge are more likely to grow their firms while entrepreneurs characterized by a strong need of achievement are less likely to engage in firm growth. Organizational determinants have the most influence on firm growth: the older thefirm, the less likely it is to grow. Availability of financial capital is found to be crucial to firm growth. Finally, the firm’s scalability (its preparedness to grow) is found to have a positive impact on firm growth.

Leveraging Internal Competency and Managing Environmental Uncertainty: Propensity to Collaborate in International Markets

Purpose – The choice of an international market entry mode involves two critical considerations, leveraging internal competencies and managing environmental uncertainties in host countries. The purpose of the paper is to explicate how these two considerations affect the propensity to collaborate in international markets. Design/methodology/approach – The paper builds on existing theories and develops hypotheses showing relations between competencies and uncertainty and collaboration in international markets. Findings – Conceptual relations show that the goals of leveraging competencies and managing environmental uncertainty in host countries have varying effects on the level of international collaboration. Originality/value – The effects are shown through the integration of different theories and empirical findings. Furthermore, the significance of collaboration in international market entry decisions is established. Directions for future research are also provided

What drives contract design in strategic alliances? Taking stock and how to proceed

We collect and assess prior empirical evidence on contract design in alliances that has been published since Parkhe’s (1993) seminal study on inter-firm contracts. We elaborate on the effects of transaction-related factors, experience gained from prior relationships, and deliberate learning efforts on contracts. Our paper offers three contributions. First, we systematically review the existing literature on alliance contracts and summarize our findings. Second, while prior research has traditionally focused on contractual complexity, we place the content of contracts center stage and identify three contractual functions. While existing studies on contractual functions predominantly refer to safeguarding as a response to appropriation concerns, we also consider coordination and contingency adaptability as outcomes of adaptation concerns. Third, we disentangle the differential influences of previous experiences on distinct contractual functions and show that experience gained from prior relationships has different effects on safeguarding and contingency adaptability than on coordination. Overall, we add to the systematization of the current debate on alliance contract design and trace promising avenues for future research on the impact of transaction- and experience-related factors on the complexity and content of alliance contracts