The effect of CEO incentives on deviations from institutional norms in foreign market expansion decisions: Behavioral agency and cross-border acquisitions

CEO incentives have been the subject of great interest for human resource scholars. We explore the institutional context within which the CEO makes sense of their incentives. Our theory suggests that CEO equity incentives interact with institutional norms to influence foreign market entry choices. Specifically, we argue that CEOs will weigh the risk bearing created by equity incentives, along with the consequences of legitimacy loss, when deciding whether to deviate from institutional norms when internationalizing. In doing so, we advance human resource literature by demonstrating that CEO responses to incentives are influenced by institutional norms and that CEOs' decisions to deviate from institutional norms are shaped by their incentives. We find support for our framework in the analysis of the stake taken by acquirers in 4,184 cross-border acquisitions

Determination of the conduit structure in a karst aquifer based on tracer data - Lurbach system, Austria.

A structure model was used to analyse solute-transport parameter estimates based on tracer breakthrough curves. In the model system, groundwater flow is envisioned to be organised in a complex conduit network providing a variety of short circuits with relative small carrying capacities along different erosion levels. The discharge through the fully filled conduits is limited owing to void geometries and turbulent flow; thus, a hierarchic overflow system evolves where conduits are (re-)activated or dried up depending on the flow condition. Exemplified on the Lurbach–Tanneben karst aquifer, the applicability of the model approach was tested. Information derived from multi-tracer experiments performed at different volumetric flow rates enabled to develop a structural model of the karst network, under constraint of the geomorphological and hydrological evolution of the site. Depending on the flow rate, groundwater is divided into up to eight flow paths. The spatial hierarchy of flow paths controls the sequence of flow path activation. Conduits of the topmost level are strongly influenced by reversible alteration processes. Sedimentation or blocking causes an overflow of water to the next higher conduit. Flow path specific dissolutional denudation rates were estimated using the temporal development of the partial discharge

Modellbasierte Berechnung der Abfluss- und Stofftransportprozesse in hierarchisch organisierten Karstnetzwerken.

Karst systems fed by an allogenic inflow often show a complex network of interacting conduits that effects groundwater flow and pollutant transport. The combined evaluation of multi-tracer experiments performed at different flow conditions provide information about the hydrodynamic functioning of the karst network. Building on this, a conceptual model to quantify groundwater flow and mass transport has been developed and is presented in this study using the example of the Tanneben Massif, Austria. Within the model, groundwater flow is subdivided into several flow-paths with discrete flow velocity and capacity. As a consequence, model results reveal a dampen but also extended karst response to storm events. Upon exceeding the flow capacity, backwater accumulates at the inflow causing a prolongation of high discharge into the system. Additionally, adjacent karst systems are affected by the activation of interconnecting flow paths at high flow conditions

Single event time series analysis in a binary karst catchment evaluated using a groundwater model (Lurbach system, Austria)

The Lurbach karst system (Styria, Austria) is drained by two major springs and replenished by both autogenic recharge from the karst massif itself and a sinking stream that originates in low permeable schists (allogenic recharge). Detailed data from two events recorded during a tracer experiment in 2008 demonstrate that an overflow from one of the sub-catchments to the other is activated if the discharge of the main spring exceeds a certain threshold. Time series analysis (autocorrelation and cross-correlation) was applied to examine to what extent the various available methods support the identification of the transient inter-catchment flow observed in this binary karst system. As inter-catchment flow is found to be intermittent, the evaluation was focused on single events. In order to support the interpretation of the results from the time series analysis a simplified groundwater flow model was built using MODFLOW. The groundwater model is based on the current conceptual understanding of the karst system and represents a synthetic karst aquifer for which the same methods were applied. Using the wetting capability package of MODFLOW, the model simulated an overflow similar to what has been observed during the tracer experiment. Various intensities of allogenic recharge were employed to generate synthetic discharge data for the time series analysis. In addition, geometric and hydraulic properties of the karst system were varied in several model scenarios. This approach helps to identify effects of allogenic recharge and aquifer properties in the results from the time series analysis. Comparing the results from the time series analysis of the observed data with those of the synthetic data a good agreement was found. For instance, the cross-correlograms show similar patterns with respect to time lags and maximum cross-correlation coefficients if appropriate hydraulic parameters are assigned to the groundwater model. The comparable behaviors of the real and the synthetic system allow to deduce that similar aquifer properties are relevant in both systems. In particular, the heterogeneity of aquifer parameters appears to be a controlling factor. Moreover, the location of the overflow connecting the sub-catchments of the two springs is found to be of primary importance, regarding the occurrence of inter-catchment flow. This further supports our current understanding of an overflow zone located in the upper part of the Lurbach karst aquifer. Thus, time series analysis of single events can potentially be used to characterize transient inter-catchment flow behavior of karst systems

Is there an advantage of emergingness? A politico-regulatory perspective

The source(s) of competitive advantage of emerging-economy multinational enterprises (MNEs) remains a puzzle in international strategy scholarship, with some arguing that such firms are at a disadvantage compared to developed-economy rivals. Drawing on the concept of institutional advantage and using a sample of 233 foreign subsidiaries operating in 25 emerging economies over the period of 2000–2017, we find that foreign subsidiaries of emerging-economy MNEs are more adept than foreign subsidiaries of developed-economy MNEs at deploying their fixed asset management capabilities in emerging-economy host countries, especially when host-country politico-regulatory institutions are underdeveloped. Likewise, we find that subsidiaries of emerging-economy MNEs are more adept at deploying their tax planning capabilities when host-country politico-regulatory institutions become increasingly volatile. We discuss how these findings contribute to scholarly thought regarding the performance of emerging-economy MNEs

A systematic search for endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane-associated RING finger proteins identifies Nixin/ZNRF4 as a regulator of calnexin stability and ER homeostasis

To identify novel regulators of endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-linked protein degradation and ER function, we determined the entire inventory of membrane-spanning RING finger E3 ubiquitin ligases localized to the ER. We identified 24 ER membrane-anchored ubiquitin ligases and found Nixin/ZNRF4 to be central for the regulation of calnexin turnover. Ectopic expression of wild type Nixin induced a dramatic down-regulation of the ER-localized chaperone calnexin that was prevented by inactivation of the Nixin RING domain. Importantly, Nixin physically interacts with calnexin in a glycosylation-independent manner, induces calnexin ubiquitination, and p97-dependent degradation, indicating an ER-associated degradation-like mechanism of calnexin turnover

A compact field fluorometer and its application to dye tracing in karst environments

Dye tracing is a classic technique in hydrogeology to investigate surface-water or groundwater flow characteristics, and it is useful for many applications including natural or industrial issues. The Fluo-Green field fluorometer has been successfully tested in a karst environment and is specifically suitable for in-cave karst water monitoring. Karst research often uses dyes to obtain information about groundwater flow in unexplored cave passages. The compact device, alternatively named Fluo-G, meets the requirements of cave media: small (10 × 16 × 21 cm), lightweight (0.75 kg without ballast) and simple in conception. It is easy for cavers to set up and handle compared to other sampling methods. The fluorometer records uranine, turbidity and temperature with a user-defined time-step (1 min - 1 day). Very low energy consumption allows 9,000 measurements with six AA batteries. The device was calibrated and tested in the laboratory and in field conditions in Belgian karst systems. Results are in good fit with other sampling methods: in-situ fluorometers and automatic water sampling plus laboratory analysis. Recording high quality data (breakthrough curves) in karst with in-cave monitoring is valuable to improve knowledge of karst systems. Many hydrological and hydrogeological applications can benefit from such a low-cost and compact device, and finding the best compromise between resources and quality data is essential. Several improvements are possible but preliminary field tests are very promising