Extreme rainfall events alter the trophic structure in bromeliad tanks across the Neotropics

Changes in global and regional precipitation regimes are among the most pervasive components of climate change. Intensification of rainfall cycles, ranging from frequent downpours to severe droughts, could cause widespread, but largely unknown, alterations to trophic structure and ecosystem function. We conducted multi-site coordinated experiments to show how variation in the quantity and evenness of rainfall modulates trophic structure in 210 natural freshwater microcosms (tank bromeliads) across Central and South America (18°N to 29°S). The biomass of smaller organisms (detritivores) was higher under more stable hydrological conditions. Conversely, the biomass of predators was highest when rainfall was uneven, resulting in top-heavy biomass pyramids. These results illustrate how extremes of precipitation, resulting in localized droughts or flooding, can erode the base of freshwater food webs, with negative implications for the stability of trophic dynamics

Home country supportiveness/unfavorableness and outward foreign direct investment from China

What drives the outward foreign direct investments (OFDIs) by emerging market firms (EMFs)? Drawing on a strategy tripod framework, this article proposes a theoretical model to predict OFDI by EMFs from China. Specifically, we use institution- and industry-based views to examine two facets of home country environment, namely the supportiveness from home government and unfavorableness from home industry, as important determinants of OFDI, and compare the relative strength of these effects. Further, we use resource-based view to argue that the effect of the home country environment is contingent on the international experience portfolios of EMFs

Chinese FDI in Sub-Saharan Africa: Engaging with Large Dragons

Dans le cadre de l'intérêt porté aux impacts des investissements chinois en Afrique sub-saharienne (ASS), cet article porte sur l'engagement de ces pays africains dans un partenariat avec des grandes entreprises d'Etat chinoises qui investissent dans les secteurs d'infrastructures et de ressources naturelles. Après avoir démontré l'ampleur des différents types d'investissements chinois, l'attention porte sur les caractéristiques propres à ces grandes entreprises publiques. Ces investissements chinois sont étroitement liés à l'aide et au commerce. L’article conclut que les pays d’ASS devraient adopter une réponse également intégrée et ciblée vis-à-vis les investisseurs chinois ainsi qu’aux autres investisseurs à grande échelle qui cherchent à exploiter leurs ressources afin de maximiser les opportunités qui leur sont offertes du fait des dotations en ressources naturelles du continent.European Journal of Development Research (2009) 21, 551–569. doi:10.1057/ejdr.2009.24

International expansion of emerging market enterprises: A springboard perspective

In this article, we present a springboard perspective to describe the internationalization of emerging market multinational corporations (EM MNEs). EM MNEs use international expansion as a springboard to acquire strategic resources and reduce their institutional and market constraints at home. In so doing, they overcome their latecomer disadvantage in the global stage via a series of aggressive, risk-taking measures by aggressively acquiring or buying critical assets from mature MNEs to compensate for their competitive weaknesses. We discuss unique traits that characterize the international expansion of EM MNEs, and the unique motivations that steer them toward internationalization. We further delineate peculiar strategies and activities undertaken by these firms in pursuit of international expansion, as well as internal and external forces that might compel or facilitate their propulsion into the global scene. We finally explain the risks and remedies associated with this international ‘springboarding’ strategy and highlight major issues meriting further investigation. Journal of International Business Studies (2007) 38, 481–498. doi:10.1057/palgrave.jibs.8400275

Bilateral FTAs and internationalisation adjustments

This article investigates and analyses internationalisation adjustments of Thai multinational enterprises (MNEs). It is based on 10 case studies of Thai MNEs in the food-processing sector. The results highlight how bilateral FTAs can influence developing-country MNEs, based on a micro-level analysis. The empirical evidence indicates that Thai MNEs, in order to internationalise successfully, responded to FTAs by developing towards hybrid competitive strategies. These findings are integrated into a single conceptual framework for analysing the influence of bilateral FTAs on firms’ internationalisation. This offers a basis for further empirical investigation of the dynamics of internationalisation by firms based in emerging economies.Nipawan Thirawat, Frederick Robins and Georges Baum