Keirestsu Centrality - Profits and Profit Stability: A Power Dependence Perspective

Prior studies compare keiretsu member firm and independent firm performance. Here, we use historical and power dependence perspectives to theorize that the Japanese keiretsu system primarily benefits the most central firms. We test this by examining the performance of two types of keiretsu firms (central firms and other member firms) within two types of keiretsu (horizontal and vertical). We hypothesize and find that: (1) central vertical keiretsu firms are more profitable than central horizontal keiretsu firms; (2) central horizontal keiretsu firms have greater profit stability than central vertical keiretsu firms; (3) central vertical keiretsu firms are more profitable than non-central vertical keiretsu firms; and (4) central horizontal keiretsu firms have greater profit stability than non-central horizontal keiretsu firms. Implications for managers and future research directions are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR

Exploratory innovation, the influence of core technical knowledge structure and the breadth of managerial attention

The purpose of this dissertation is two fold; first, to examine the influence on managerial attention of the structural characteristics in a firm’s core technical knowledge portfolio. Second, to examine the influence on exploratory innovation of those structural characteristics as well as the influence of managerial attention. This dissertation draws from resource based theory as well as cognition and recombinant innovation literatures.First, this dissertation addresses a gap in the attention based theory of the firm (Ocasio, 1997) by examining how Concentration and Ease of Recombination, as structural measures of a firm’s core technology portfolio, affect absorptive capacity and therefore the Breadth Managerial Attention. The results of the analysis suggest that both Concentration and the Ease of Recombination are related to the Breadth of Managerial Attention.Second, this dissertation focuses on exploratory innovation and examines the relationship between a firm’s core resource structure and, the theoretically critical but unexamined role of, managerial attention. The Breadth of Managerial Attention is suggested to influence the identification of external knowledge available for the firm to recombine with its core technical knowledge. The results of the analysis suggest that the Breadth of Managerial Attention plays an important role as the firm creates exploratory innovations.Ph.D., Business Administration -- Drexel University, 200

The Ability to Change or the Willingness to Change: Stakeholder Interpretation of Adversity

Firms often face adverse environmental events which have the potential to destroy the value the firm has created. This study focuses on the occurrence of adverse events. In particular, we address the research question of what organizational and managerial characteristics impact shareholder interpretation of the severity of the adverse event. Building on insights from the resource based and upper echelon theories, we propose that bundles of firm capabilities and top management team composition signal to shareholders the ability of the firm to handle the adverse event and to engage in strategic change. We test our model in the biotechnology industry, and operationalize an adverse event as a drug terminated during a clinical trial. Our results indicate the importance of the top management team on shareholder perception of event severity

Deepfakes: Awareness, Concerns, and Platform Accountability

A 61 question survey was used to examine issues around deepfake technology. In total, 319 respondents answered questions around awareness, concerns, and the responsibility of online platforms around deepfakes. Awareness of deepfakes varies by intensity and type of social media use. Concerns about deepfakes are pronounced, but not uniform. A regression model examines the factors impacting the perceived responsibility of online platforms to regulate deepfakes. General concerns and the impacts people believe deepfakes will make are significant. However, the more humorous aspects of deepfakes and a perception of individual responsibility negatively impact the perceived need for platforms to address the risks of deepfakes. There is little confidence in the ability of technology to solve the problem of deepfakes, but this does not reduce the desire for online platforms to implement a deepfake identification technology. This research has implications for users of social media, social media platforms, technology developers, and broader society

A Methodology for Building Faculty Support for the United Nations Principles for Responsible Management Education

Evidence from extant literature indicates that faculty support is a critical driver for implementing the United Nations Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME), particularly for schools pursuing an advanced, cross-disciplinary level of sustainability integration. However, there is limited existing research offering insight into how to build faculty support for sustainability programs.Addressing this gap, the authors present an exploratory methodology using a survey and structural model to measure differential faculty support for sustainability. The methodology also increases awareness of the underlying drivers of and barriers to expanding the reach of sustainability across business faculty, ultimately allowing PRME institutions to address their distinct needs. The authors describe application of the methodology at a recent PRME signatory institution, including actions taken as a result of intriguing findings that identified difficulties in gaining broad faculty acceptance of PRME

Influences on Student Intention and Behavior Toward Environmental Sustainability

As organizations place greater emphasis on environmental objectives, business educators must produce the next set of leaders who can champion corporate environmental sustainability initiatives. However, environmental sustainability represents a polarizing topic with some students dismissing its importance and legitimacy. Limited research exists to understand student behavioral influences on sustainability education, especially as it translates to environmental sustainability behavior in the workplace. This gap challenges our ability as educators to understand how to best teach environmental sustainability in order to reach diverse student mindsets. We apply the theory of planned behavior (TPB) to address this gap, investigating the influence of student attitudes, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control on environmental sustainability intention and behavior. A structural model tested with student survey data finds that student attitude represents the strongest influence on environmental sustainability intention. The model also validates that subjective norm affects sustainability intention with students considering professors along with business leaders and politicians as valid references for sustainability knowledge. To tie the results to effective educational interventions, we use the TPB to organize an extensive review of the sustainability pedagogy literature and identify specific teaching recommendations for increasing the effectiveness of environmental sustainability education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR

Partner Attachment to Institutional Logics: The Influence of Congruence and Divergence

AbstractPartnerships are increasingly important to firm product innovation. They also increasingly involve parties that are attached to different institutional logics. We examine the effect of firm and partner attachments to the same and different institutional logics. Findings suggest that when partners are attached to the same institutional logic, new product development performance is positively influenced. However, when partners are attached to different institutional logics, new product development is negatively influenced. When controlling for attachment to different institutional logics, partnerships with private companies are more beneficial than partnerships with government research institutions.</jats:p