154,361 research outputs found
Interdependent supply relationships as institutions: The role of HR practices
This paper aims to use institutional theory to explore the role of human
resource (HR) practices as carriers in the evolution of interdependent supply
relationships. Design/methodology/approach â This is a qualitative study of an
inter-firm supply relationship where the two partners were interdependent as a
result of a âclosed loopâ supply relationship. The paper explores the
perspectives of employees at multiple levels within both partners, and collects
pluralist evidence from 36 interviewees from both sides of the dyad. It collects
documentary evidence such as minutes, contractual agreements and HR documents.
This paper re-analyses the evidence from earlier work using an institutional
theory framework. Findings â Using Scott's âthree pillarsâ the paper shows that
HR practices can act as carriers of regulative, normative and cultural-cognitive
elements in interdependent supply relationships through both formal and informal
mechanisms. Regulative elements were less evident, but could be fundamental in
shaping the other two. A tension was found between institutional pressures at
the inter- and intra-firm levels, an emergence of innovative practices and new
routines at inter-organizational level, and an evolution over time that could
involve a de-institutionalisation of the relationship as a result of internal
priorities competing with the resource requirements of the supply relationship.
Originality/value â The paper addresses the interface between OM and
organisational theory. Areas are proposed where institutionalisation of a supply
relationship can be strengthened or weakened. The findings further challenge the
view of supply relationships as a âspectrumâ in which progress is unidir
Competing and Learning in Global Value Chains - Firmsâ Experiences in the Case of Uganda. A study of five export sub-sectors with reference to trade between Uganda and Europe
Executive Summary and Chapter 5: Presentation and discussion of main finding
The evolution of the spatial digital divide: From internet adoption to internet use by french industrial firms
In this paper, we concentrate on different aspects of the « spatial digital divide » and seek to answer three questions : Are there still spatial inequalities in the adoption of these technologies ? Is there a so-called âsecond levelâ geographical divide characterized by important differences in the intensity of Internet use between firms that have adopted these tools? Do the appropriation processes and logic of diffusion of ICT adopters vary according to the type of area in which they are located (urban vs. rural areas)? To answer these questions we have constructed an original model of technological diffusion (of the type developed by Battisti and Stoneman, 2005) that merges two types of models: those that concentrate on epidemic effects, and the so-called equilibrium models that model the decision to adopt new technologies as the result of an economic calculation by firms, which depends on their internal characteristics and those of their competitive, industrial and local environment. This model uses data drawn from a recent national survey (âICT and e-commerceâ 2002). One of the main results is that, for a given size and sector, although there no longer are spatial inequalities in terms of ICT adoption in France, there are still important inequalities in firmsâ processes of ICT appropriation and use.Internet, inter-firm and intra-firm diffusion, rank and epidemic effects, agglomeration effects, spatial inequalities
Beyond harsh trade? The relevance of âsoftâ competitiveness factors for Ugandan enterprises to endure in Global Value Chains
This article is based on an empirical study which examined the issues
of organization and coordination of global production and trade for the
case of trade between Uganda and Europe.Respective experiences of
34 exporters in Uganda and 19 importers in Europe were documented
through in-depth interviews and consequently analyzed. The article
discusses matters of cooperation between the exporters and importers and
points to its significance for upgrading and enhancing competitiveness of
the exporters studied. It further identifies firm level âsoft competitiveness
factorsâ (SCFs) of Ugandan exporters and discusses their relevance
for the firmsâ performance in Global Value Chains. The findings reveal
that deficiencies in SCFs can have damaging effects, and vice-versa.
Possession of the SCFs can yield significant competitive advantage for
exporters and help to strengthen the relationship with the importers.
Findings of ill-treatment of exporters by their importers highlight a
particular kind of challenge that is often overseen in the debate about
exports of African firms: the challenge regarding business behaviours,
practices, and ethics including the ability to engage in relations with
foreign buyers and leverage resources, knowledge and generally
cooperation from them, first, and the general issue of problematic business
practices in the global economy, second. The article policy recommends
Policy, practice and research should focus on economic, political, social,
cultural and institutional factors that impact on local levels of SCFs; to
improve and help exporting enterprises in Africa to survive and succeed
in GVCs, within the context of the state of the moral economy in global
capitalism
Local Networks to Compete in the Global Era. The Italian SMEs Experience
This study is concerned with the factors that influence the cooperation among cluster-based firms. Theorists have consistently demonstrated the role and importance of economic externalities, such as knowledge spillovers, within industrial clusters. Less attention has been paid to the investigation of social based externalities, though it has been suggested that these may also accrue from geographical agglomeration. This study explores the development of cooperation between firms operating in a single industry sector and in close proximity. The results suggest that social networking has a greater influence than geographic proximity in facilitating inter-firm co-operation. A semi-structured questionnaire has been developed and the answers were analysed with a stepwise regression model.Networks, Inter-Firm Cooperation, SMEs
Technology transfer within MNEs: An investigation of inter-subsidiary competition and cooperation
Much theory and research that seeks to explain why and how technology transfers occur within multinational enterprises (MNEs) actually addresses the question of how these transfers occur among cooperative subsidiaries, and relies on the assumption of inter-subsidiary cooperation. However, subsidiaries do not always cooperate. We suggest that the success of technology transfer among subsidiaries depends on the extent to which the relationships among an MNE's subsidiaries (i.e. inter-subsidiary) are competitive or cooperative. Inter-subsidiary cooperation is determined by the MNE's international strategy, organizational structure, and the social relationships among subsidiaries. Both hierarchical and social relational factors drive the potential for inter-subsidiary multimarket competition that originates from the overlap on the subsidiaries' products, technologies, and market portfolios.technology transfer, subsidiaries, competition and cooperation, international strategy
Organizing International Technological Collaboration in Subcontractor Relationships An Investigation of the Knowledge-Stickyness Problem
Technological knowledge is often claimed to be context-bound and sticking to local surroundings. This paper investigates how technological knowledge can be exchanged in international subcontractor relationships, using relationship-oriented organizational practices. Five hypotheses concerning such practices are tested. It is shown that the use of relationshiporiented practices varies with exports and the active development of subcontractors in product and process development activities. Moreover, international development-oriented subcontractors are more likely to use interpersonal exchange, electronic data interchange and formalized contracts than other types of subcontractors. Research implications as well as managerial implications are derived.Subcontracting, knowledge, international division og labour
A network-based view of regional growth
The need to better understand the mechanisms underlying regional growth patterns is widely recognised. This paper argues that regional growth is partly a function of the value created through inter-organisational flows of knowledge within and across regions. It is proposed that investment in calculative networks by organisations to access knowledge is a form of capital, termed network capital, which should be incorporated into regional growth models. The paper seeks to develop a framework to capture the value of network capital within these models based on the spatial configuration and the nature of the knowledge flowing through networks
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