Subsidiary redefinition: Charter loss in a German-owned subsidiary in Hungary

Based on a literature review and a single case study approach, this paper provides insights into the actors, interests and dynamics of charter losses. It reports the results of interviews with 20 managers at different units of Siemens ICN (Information & Communication Network division) in Germany, Hungary and Austria, including the Hungarian subsidiary where the charter loss occurred, the German headquarters, and the main competing subsidiaries. Furthermore, the paper sheds light on the questions: to what extent and by what combination of host country, subsidiary-related and MNC structural and organizational factors do situations develop in which a subsidiary loses its charter. Our findings show that there is no single reason for a charter loss, but multiple interdependent reasons subject to divergent interpretations, reflecting the micropolitical interests of the key actors. The case study further elucidates that there is room for strategic action at the subsidiary level to avert a charter loss, whereby anticipatory adjustment of the subsidiary towards more balanced internal and external embeddedness as well as constant interpersonal networking with the headquarters office are two important prerequisites. -- Dieser Beitrag beschäftigt sich auf Basis einer Fallstudie mit der Frage, warum Tochtergesellschaften multinationaler Unternehmen Mandate verlieren. Mandate sind zeitlich und inhaltlich befristete, von der Unternehmenszentrale eines multinationalen Unternehmens verliehene oder von einzelnen Tochtergesellschaften errungene Kompetenzen bzw. Verantwortlichkeiten, die die konzerninterne Arbeitsteilung in einem multinationalen Unternehmen definieren. Es werden Ergebnisse aus Interviews mit mehr als 20 Managern der Siemens- Sparte für Vermittlungstechnik (Information and Communications Networks oder kurz ICN) in Deutschland, Ungarn und Österreich präsentiert. Der Beitrag verdeutlicht, dass es verschiedene interdependente Ursachen für Mandatsverluste gibt, die je nach den mikro-politischen Interessen der wesentlichen Akteure unterschiedlich interpretiert werden. Die Fallstudie verweist zugleich auf Spielräume für strategisches Handeln auf der Tochtergesellschaftsebene. Wesentliche Ansatzpunkte sind dabei eine strategische Ausbalancierung von interner und externer Eingebundenheit der Tochtergesellschaft sowie eine stark auf interpersonelle Kontakte abstellende Vernetzung der Tochtergesellschaftsmanager mit der Konzernzentrale.

Mapping Urban Spaces. Designing the European City

open5siVolume edito sia a stampa (hardback e paperback) che in formato elettronico (Open Access)Mapping Urban Spaces focuses on medium- sized European cities and more specifically on their open spaces from psychological, sociological, and aesthetic points of view. The chapters illustrate how the characteristics that make life in medium- sized European cities pleasant and sustainable – accessibility, ease of travel, urban sustainability, social inclusiveness – can be traced back to the nature of that space. The chapters develop from a phenomenological study of space to contributions on places and landscapes in the city. Centralities and their meaning are studied, as well as the social space and its complexity. The contributions focus on history and theory as well as concrete research and mapping approaches and the resulting design applications. The case studies come from countries around Europe including Poland, Italy, Greece, Germany, and France, among others. The book will be of interest to students, scholars, and practitioners in architecture, urban planning, and landscape architecture.openLamberto Amistadi, Valter Balducci, Tomasz Bradecki, Enrico Prandi, Uwe SchroederLamberto Amistadi, Valter Balducci, Tomasz Bradecki, Enrico Prandi, Uwe Schroede

Changes of Administrative Accountability In Russian Transitions

This article discusses the dynamics of transitions and security within the framework of the development of administrative accountability in Russia. It considers both the legal and administrative culture in Russia on the basis of the formation of administrative accountability and challenges found in this process. During the three periods of Russian transitions under study in this article, administrative accountability has developed as a result of attempts to institutionalize new ideals in an old administrative culture. The article shows that, during these transitions, uncertainties and unintended effects of administrative changes have intensified traditional security concerns that have exceeded other considerations in the implementation of reforms. As a result, the institutionalization of new professional practices and ways of thinking has been diffuse and administrative accountability remains legalistic.Peer reviewe

INNOVATION AND KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER MECHANISMS IN AN “ENGAGED” UNIVERSITY. THE CASE OF THE “FEDERICO II" SAN GIOVANNI HUB (SGH)

What happens when a former industrial area (dismissed for nearly 20 years) is replaced by a knowledge-intensive Hub hosting: a University Campus, research centres and laboratories, firms, and a hybrid form of advanced education programmes in partnership with global-scale companies? The present research aims at defining the scope of such emerging phenomenon occurring in a peripheral suburb in the East area of the city of Naples (Italy), and characterised by the settlement of a knowledge intensive Hub involving innovation, technology and knowledge transfer processes. The main subject of the study is the San Giovanni a Teduccio “Federico II” University Hub, a university campus and research centre hosted by a peripheral urban suburb in the East area of Naples and herein named the San Giovanni Hub (“SGH”) or simply the “Hub”

Urban energy planning in Turku:[PLEEC Report D4.2 / Turku]

Since industrialisation, Turku has been an important industrial town in Finland and still is. Today, after considerable restructuring of the industrial sector, most jobs (79 % in the city of Turku) are within services. Besides its economic base, Turku also is experiencing a change in the former prevailing urban sprawl, characterising urban development since the 1950s. The city is densifying and promoting sustainable urban develop-ment, though at a regional scale with several growth centres. Its future development is envisioned in the Structure model 2035, focusing on more compact urban development along public transport corridors. From the case report three issues arise which might be of considerable interest in a broader context of the PLEEC project:"br/""br/"1. Working with energy efficient regional urban structure (e.g. regarding urban sprawl) in a low density country and on a voluntary cooperative basis"br/"2. Keeping the industrial base in a city facing deindustrialisation and aiming for energy efficiency"br/"3. Decentralisation of energy supply enables new forms of settlements with the example of Skanssi Document type: Boo