Internationalisation of service firms through corporate social entrepreneurship and networking

Findings: The findings reveal that, by engaging in social entrepreneurship, these MNCs have focused on the neglected needs of the BOP population, developed sustainable solutions and empowerment, and started with social value creation and postponed value capturing. The pursuit of corporate social entrepreneurship has paved the way for them to establish relationships with NGOs. While the MNCs have mainly had the technical knowledge and financial resources required, collaboration with NGOs have allowed them to learn about the BOP’s specific needs and benefit from the NGOs’ knowledge, human resources and good relationships in this market.Originality/value: This research unravels how service firms can seize opportunities at the BOP. The authors build on social entrepreneurship theory and bring new insights to the field of international business. In addition, the authors broaden the network view and show how networking with social actors such as NGOs enables the mobilisation of resources, actors and activities in emerging markets.Design/methodology/approach: This research adopts an exploratory approach employing qualitative multiple case studies. Three service firms that have targeted the BOP markets in India were studied. In total, 25 in-depth interviews were conducted with multinational corporations (MNCs) and their NGO partners. Data analysis was facilitated through pattern matching and systematic case comparison.Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to explore how employing corporate social entrepreneurship and developing a network of relationships with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) can support and contribute towards the internationalisation of service firms into the base of the pyramid (BOP) markets in emerging markets

“Reel”ing it in:The Indian film industry’s survival and growth in the post-pandemic era

Business-to-business (B2B) firms are expected to work collectively to overcome the sector's challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic was a ‘rare’ event that triggered failures across many business sectors. With limited financial resources, governments in emerging economies could not assist businesses and the B2B firms relied on their networks for survival. In this study, we explored the B2B firms' response to the pandemic and whether their long-established networks and relationships with each other aided or hindered their ability to operate through the disruption and rebound in the post-pandemic recovery period. We studied the operations of the Indian film industry through the pandemic and collected interview data from key informants from the sector. Using stakeholder and institutional theory lenses, we highlighted the changes in the sector, including the weakening of B2B firm networks and firms moving away from organizational collaboration to prioritizing individual interests. The nature of the business model has changed, with increased use of digital platforms for movie releases. These findings have implications for theory and practice as international government agencies were providing incentives for Indian filmmakers to produce movies in their country, which needed to be countered by the Indian government

Global mobility of professionals and the transfer of tacit knowledge in multinational service firms

Purpose: The use of expatriates to transfer individual and organizational know-how and knowledge is a practice widely used by multinational enterprises (MNEs). However, for service firms, the mobility of employees across national borders depends on the commitments made by countries under the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS). In particular, the Mode 4 form of supply under GATS can limit the ability of professionals to enter a particular country and can restrict the intra-organizational transfer of knowledge in multinational service firms. The purpose of this paper is to investigate how MNEs attempt to overcome these barriers and transfer knowledge through their global network. Design/methodology/approach: Using Nonaka and Takeuchi’s SECI model of knowledge transfer, the authors study the intra-organizational knowledge transfer practices of an Indian multinational service firm. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 key informants involved with the organization. Findings: The company uses global teams to transfer tacit knowledge and facilitates inpatriation through an internship program that helps the firm overcome nationality requirement that restricts the movement of their managers to other countries, which in turn limits their ability to transfer knowledge in the intra-organizational setting. The company uses the services of a not-for-profit youth organization that helps recruit interns for the program and also facilitates the relationship with the Indian Government, which provides support for this initiative by reducing barriers to entry for the interns. Originality/value: This study takes the unique approach of studying barriers to movement of professionals and a firm’s strategic response. It identifies the pressures and barriers that companies face in the global economy and highlights the role of government agencies and other stakeholders in facilitating or restricting the transfer of knowledge within a firm’s international network. The paper articulates the implications for policy and practice, and a future research agenda

Corporate governance in the Islamic banking system in Pakistan: the role of the Shari’ah supervisory boards.

Since it was launched commercially in the 1970‘s, Islamic finance has grown at a rapid rate. Today Islamic banks are operating in nearly all Muslim countries and many non-Muslim countries. To ensure that Islamic financial institutions comply with the religious requirements, banks are required to utilise the services of a Shari’ah Supervisory Board (SSB). These SSBs consist of a number of Shari’ah (Islamic law) scholars who conduct internal religious audit in Islamic financial institutions and are required to approve the Shari’ah compliance of new financial products before they are launched commercially. This study addresses the issues of accountability and governance in Islamic financial institutions in Pakistan, and investigates the roles and responsibilities of the SSBs and Shari’ah advisors. For the purpose of this study, the field-based case study method was applied and primary data was collected using semi-structured face-to-face interviews that were conducted over a period of five years with individuals from the Pakistani banking sector. Additional information was sourced from historical documents, State Bank of Pakistan directives and relevant court cases that involved the Pakistani Islamic Banking sector. Thematic analysis of the data reveals that there is a worldwide shortage of competent Shari’ah advisors in the Islamic finance sector. The training of new Shari’ah advisors in Pakistan is affected by the lack of educational infrastructure and the lengthy time period required for training in Islamic jurisprudence. This has resulted in banks hiring individuals as Shari’ah scholars who are members of SSBs in more than one banking institution, thereby raising concerns about conflict of interest. The findings also detail the process by which SSBs and Shari’ah advisors ensure that Islamic financial institutions are accountable for their Shari’ah operations. The SSBs are required to verify that the operations of the banks are in conformity with religious law, and to impose the suggested penalties in case of non-compliance. Finally, in comparison with existing national Shari’ah governance models in the Middle East and South-East Asia, the study evaluates the new Shari’ah governance and application model for Islamic financial institutions that has been enforced by the State Bank of Pakistan. This model is seen as the first step towards the implementation in Pakistan of the Shari’ah governance requirements put forth by the Accounting and Auditing Organization of Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI), the global regulatory body for Islamic financial institutions.Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, Business School, 201

Financing through Musharaka: Principles and application

The purpose of this article is to highlight the workings of Islamic finance in general, and Musharaka as a financial instrument in particular. Historically Musharaka was practiced by Arabs long before the advent of Islam, and is therefore considered by many scholars to be the most authentic form of Islamic contract. Musharaka is based on the profit-and-loss sharing system where two or more persons combine either their capital or labor together, and they share in the profits and losses of their venture. While the demand for Musharaka compared to other Islamic financial instruments is relatively low, it is expected that in the future to defend the system against criticism, more contracts will be established using Musharaka as the financing option.Hussain G. Ramma

Communicating successfully: The importance of nonverbal messages in the communication process

© 2007 Social Science Electronic Publishing, IncThe ability to communicate effectively is seen as a key requirement for successful managers. The communication process is complex and the increased need for cross-cultural communication makes it difficult for managers to get their message across to the receiver as they intended. This article looks at the role nonverbal messages can play in the communication process and discusses the way it can help overcome cultural “noise” in cross-cultural communication. The article also analyses the steps one should take in ensuring that the nonverbal message is successful and the true meaning of the message is delivered.Rammal, H.G.http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=144274

Negotiating Business And Trade Agreements: Lessons From Australia

Talk sponsored by the Australian Studies Centre. Presented at Kasetsart University, Bangkok, on October 16 2007.The ability of individuals to communicate cross-culturally is valued by business firms as well as national trade bodies. Yet little attention is paid to the contextual factors that impact the process and outcome of business and trade negotiations. The choice of the site for negotiations, the use of time as a strategic tool, and the effect of cultural forces are often neglected when planning for and conducting negotiations. This often results in frustrations during negotiations and can ultimately lead to the failure of the deal. Using Australia as a case, the lecture explores the negotiating style of Australian negotiators.http://www.ozthaialumni.in.th/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=9