Singapore's Regionalization Blueprint: The Empirics of the Case for Selective Intervention

Conference theme: Bridging with the Other: The Importance of Dialogue in International Business</p

Regulating nanotechnologies: risk, uncertainty and the global governance gap

This article builds on research for a two-year project on nanotechnology regulation in the US and Europe (2008–09), which was funded by the European Commission. We are grateful to our collaborators in this project, at the London School of Economics, Chatham House, Environmental Law Institute and Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies, and especially Linda Breggin, Jay Pendergrass and Read Porter. We also received helpful suggestions from three anonymous reviewers and would like to thank them for their advice. Any remaining errors are our own. Nanosciences and nanotechnologies are set to transform the global industrial landscape, but the debate on how to regulate environmental, health and safety risks is lagging behind technological innovation. Current regulatory efforts are primarily focused on the national and regional level, while the international dimensions of nanotechnology governance are still poorly understood and rarely feature on the international agenda. However, with the ongoing globalization of nanosciences and the rapid expansion of international trade in nanomaterials, demand for international coordination and harmonization of regulatory approaches is set to increase. Yet, uncertainty about nanotechnology risk poses a profound dilemma for regulators and policy-makers. Uncertainty both creates demand for and stands in the way of greater international cooperation and harmonization of regulatory approaches. This article reviews the emerging debate on nanotechnology risk and regulatory approaches, investigates the current state of international cooperation and outlines the critical contribution that a global governance approach can make to the safe development of nanotechnologie

A study on the Current Role of SME’s in the Indian IT Industry and Hypotheses on an Ecosystem for their Sustenance and Evolution

This paper looks at the current challenges faced by the SME’s in the Indian IT industry and formulates hypotheses on how an intermediary can create an ecosystem to ensure the sustenance and evolution of these firms. The play out in the industry is expected to such that the larger companies in the Indian IT sector will move up the value chain and as they do so they will increasingly move out of the body shopping mode that constitutes the lower end of the outsourcing spectrum. This creates an opportunity and a necessity for the emerging companies and SME’s to fill the void.

How Creative Professional Service Firms Internationalize: a business model portfolio approach

Traditional theory of firm internationalization assumes all firms are homogeneous in their approach to managing uncertainties and implementing business strategies when internationalizing. A business model portfolio approach articulates a more complex process and suggests that firms adopt a portfolio of business models to balance uncertainties. Combining these two perspectives, this multiple case study research design explores how creative professional service firms (creative PSFs) internationalize. Creative PSFs such as architects are embedded in their local cultures, operating at the intersection of business and art. Our study reveals the complexities of creative PSF internationalization, showing that in contrast to existing explanations, multiple combinations of business models are adopted to manage uncertainty. We use these novel insights to develop a business model portfolio approach to understanding the internationalization process. This research paper brings relevant and important contributions to both the international business and business model literature

Internationalization of Large Retailers and Cross-Cultural Determinants – The Singular Trajectory of Carrefour in Romania

This article discusses the large retailers’ internationalization strategy. It deals more particularly with the way in which international expansion proceeds on the level of operations management and the application of strategies used on the domestic market: does the retailer choose a universalistic perspective, thanks to the export of a well-managed retail format (the superstore format, the supermarket format), or does it opt for an adjustment to the cultural conditions of the target country, and this, even in the operational dimensions of management? To answer this question and to take part in the current debates about the stakes of international marketing, a case study was conducted on the Carrefour Group in Romania, while using a structural analysis of narrative. The research associates, for the first time, three theoretical frameworks: the internationalization of the retailer, the management of relationships in the marketing channel and the management of the cross-cultural variable. The authors bring to light a three-stage managerial cycle around a double-cultural filtration phenomenon which questions the usually used dichotomous approach to analyze the internationalization of the large retailer: universalism vs. culturalism.Carrefour Group, cultural filtration, internationalization, retailing industry, România, structural analysis of narrative

Rapid International Expansion Strategy of Emerging Market Enterprises: The Interplay between Speed and Competitive Risks on International performance

Firms that internationalize relatively late may pursue rapid internationalization by entering multiple markets simultaneously to reach global scale faster and to capture early mover advantages. These trends run counter to the theory of incremental internationalization. With data on Korean firms' early international expansion experiences, we found evidence that a rapid international expansion strategy enhances firm performance in industries where globalization pressures are high, by firms with less lead-time of their home-country rivals, and in countries where they could be early movers.incremental internationalization, rapid international expansion strategy, emerging markets, foreign subsidiary survival, foreign direct investment

Service innovation and the proximity-concentration trade-off model of trade and FDI

This paper introduces service innovation in the proximity-concentration trade-off model of trade and FDI (Helpman, Melitz and Yeaple, 2004). The idea is that innovation will have two main effects on service firms’ choice between exports and FDI. First, innovative firms will on average have higher productivity levels than non-innovative enterprises. Secondly, innovators will have to pay a higher relational distance cost for undertaking export activities, and they will therefore prefer to avoid (or reduce) these costs by choosing a FDI strategy instead. We test the empirical relevance of this idea on a new survey dataset for a representative sample of firms in all business service sectors in Norway. The results show that firms are more likely to choose FDI rather than export the greater their productivity level and the higher the relational distance costs they face.Service sectors; innovation; export; FDI; firm heterogeneity; survey data

Appinio : growth strategies and limitations in economic uncertainty

This dissertation focuses on Appinio, a German start-up, dedicated to the provision of digital market research solutions for decision-makers. Appinio has been generating high growth figures and became a profitable business in its main market Germany, based on financial bootstrapping. The focus of this case in September 2022, is the evaluation of Appinio’s growth strategies, especially its efforts in internationalization and its financing strategy with the background of the economic uncertainties. Due to the competitive landscape of the international markets, the limited financial resources and the economic uncertainties, the company faces a new situation. Appinio needs to evaluate different strategic and financial options for further growth. The dilemma of the case is the conflict of objectives in the market research industry during the economic uncertainty. The need of information for the corporate customers of Appinio increases due to changing trends and consumer behaviors, but in parallel the budgets for market research decrease. The dissertation includes a literature review of the impact of economic uncertainties on the business environment and the market research industry, growth strategies of start-ups in economic uncertainties and an evaluation of financial bootstrapping. It also offers an analysis of the key issues of the case in the Teaching Notes section to help instructors to prepare the inclass discussion.Esta dissertação centra-se no Appinio, um start-up alemão, dedicado ao fornecimento de soluções de pesquisa de mercado digital para decisores. A Appinio tem vindo a gerar elevados números de crescimento e tornou-se um negócio rentável no seu principal mercado, a Alemanha, com base em bootstrapping financeiro. O foco deste caso em setembro de 2022, é a avaliação das estratégias de crescimento da Appinios, especialmente os seus esforços na internacionalização e a sua estratégia de financiamento com o pano de fundo das incertezas económicas. Devido à paisagem competitiva dos mercados internacionais, aos limitados recursos financeiros e às incertezas económicas, a empresa enfrenta uma nova situação. Appinio precisa de avaliar diferentes opções estratégicas e financeiras para um maior crescimento. O dilema do caso é o conflito de objectivos na indústria dos estudos de mercado durante a incerteza económica. A necessidade de informação para as empresas clientes da Appinio aumenta devido à mudança de tendências e comportamentos de consumo, mas em paralelo os orçamentos para os estudos de mercado diminuem. A dissertação inclui uma revisão da literatura sobre o impacto das incertezas económicas no ambiente empresarial e na indústria de estudos de mercado, estratégias de crescimento de startups em incertezas económicas e avaliação de bootstrapping financeiro. Oferece também uma análise das questões-chave do caso na secção de Notas Didácticas para ajudar os instrutores a preparar a discussão na aula

Uncertainty and Human Capital Decisions: Traditional Valuation Methods and Real Options Logic

As the importance of human capital increases in organizations, so does the need to develop more sophisticated financial valuation models. This paper reviews some of the major traditional financial decision making models used in costing employment mode choices. It then introduces the real options valuation approach for costing such choices. The advantage of the real options model is demonstrated to build flexibility into employment decisions

Internationalization Strategies for Sustainable Growth of Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises

Inadequate use of international knowledge by SME (small- and medium-sized enterprises) leaders is a prime contributing factor to failed internationalization efforts in the U.K. affecting firms\u27 growth and survivability. The purpose of this qualitative single case study was to explore strategies U.K. SME leaders use to expand business internationally for sustainable growth. The Uppsala internationalization process model (UIPM) served as the conceptual framework for this study. Participants consisted of 4 senior leaders and 3 international operations employees who demonstrated effective use of strategies in the operation of the SME internationalization activities. Data collection occurred through semistructured interviews and review of an archival document, complemented by member checking to strengthen the credibility and trustworthiness of the findings. Four themes emerged through thematic data analysis: applying home and foreign market knowledge, capitalization of firm characteristics, selecting psychically close markets, and conducting sequential internationalizing activities for successful and sustainable SME internationalization efforts. The conclusion is that to achieve sustainable growth, SME leaders need to understand all factors pertaining to the internationalization initiatives of the firm, inclusive of market research and data collection, using experiential knowledge, assessing firm-specific advantages, capitalizing on limited resources, and leveraging networks in international markets. Subsequent positive social change may include an increase in sustainable SME in the United Kingdom offering innovative and competitive products and services, increasing employment opportunities, contributing to the citizens\u27 financial stability, and contributing to the community\u27s economic prosperity