Entrepreneurial decision-making in internationalization: propositions from mid-size firms

Research into international entrepreneurship tends to focus on new ventures rather than larger established firms. Few studies have considered why an entrepreneurial manager in an established firm is motivated to undertake international market entry. Propositions relating to factors motivating the international market entry decision of entrepreneurial managers in mid-sized firms are created and evaluated through in-depth interviews with entrepreneurial managers. We find contrary to extant theory that cultural context, industry environment and resource constraints do not motivate or hinder an entrepreneurial manager's decision to internationalize. Rather, the entrepreneurial manager's connection with the customer, tacit knowledge and vision and product-service complexity are the strongest influences on the decision to internationalize, which is moderated by the strength of the business case and resource-based risk tolerance. This implies a much greater strategic approach by entrepreneurial managers than typically portrayed in current literature. Our research provides researchers with grounded propositions for further empirical testing

The development of a theoretical framework for the internationalization process of fast growth medium-sized firms in Europe

The experience of the author and a review of the literature identifies a number of possible limitations in current theories of internationalization. Existing theories can be broadly classified under the headings of either "stage school" or contingency theories. There appears to have been little research on the interface between the two theoretical approaches, nor on the dynamism of the internationalization process within an individual firm. While scholars challenge the current theory, few have attempted to develop or propose alternative theories. Therefore, the central aim and contribution of this doctoral research has been to develop a theoretical framework from the literature, evaluated in an empirical study of European firms. The research and theoretical development, whilst exploratory, suggests that the internationalization process of firms is contingent on exogenous and endogenous influences. These influences are dynamic, complex and vary according to the specific contexts used in the research. The contingency contexts are summarized here as: The industry and country environment in which the organization operates; the mindset of the entrepreneur decision-maker(s); the nature of the product, the market demographics, and the mindset and nature of the seller and buying organization. The results indicate that the theoretical framework is rigorous enough to demonstrate the variety in the internationalization processes of the firms in the study. The findings are, that whilst there are some common processes and patterns among the firms in the study, there are variations, explained by the contingency theory and contexts in which the firms operate. Previous research has neglected specific contexts as important factors in the internationalization process. The thesis addresses this gap in the research by developing the theory in the context of specific sectors (electronics, software and metal-mechanical) countries (UK, Germany, France and Italy), firm size (medium-sized) and fast growth.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

Risk perceptions in Japanese SMEs:the role of Internet marketing capabilities in firm performance

Internet plays a very important role for the success of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Many Japanese SMEs are risk-averse in adopting technological innovation such as the Internet. Others, despite these risk-related business norms, recognize the importance of technology and develop and deploy Internet marketing technology to compete in the current competitive environment. Drawing upon these contradicting practices among Japanese SMEs, this study investigates how Japanese SMEs risk perception impacts on the deployment of Internet marketing capabilities, the relationships between perception of risk, international mind-set, business networks, Internet marketing capabilities, and firm performance. This study makes two contributions. Firstly, there has been limited research investigating how Internet-related capabilities impact on firms’ performance. Secondly, there are few Internet-related studies in Japan. Thus, our emphasis on key antecedents and outcomes of Internet marketing capabilities among Japanese SMEs contributes significantly to our understanding of this unique contextual setting. The findings also provide some insights to managers/owners of Japanese SMEs that lower risk perception fosters adoption of the Internet and combined with other resources creates Internet marketing capabilities which results in higher performance

A Critical Reflection on the Role of Dialogue in Communicating Ethical Corporate Social Responsibility through Digital Platforms

Organizations are under increasing pressure to communicate their position on social responsibility in a changing environment whereby more critical demanding citizens are using digital platforms to express their opinions about the actions of corporations. These changes, demand a corporate culture of listening, management commitment, responsible action and more effective forms of CSR communication with stakeholders. The emergence of digital platforms such as Facebook or Twitter provide managers with a mechanism for a dialogue with stakeholders to communicate their CSR initiatives and policies. While these digital platforms have the potential for corporations to listen and respond to stakeholder concerns in an open and honest discourse, frequently CSR communication are perceived as serving instrumental goals. This chapter argues that CSR communication through digital platforms grounded in the ethical premise of responsibility and the concept of dialogue could change this perception. The implications for organizations are that they can enact an ethical premise of CSR using digital platforms if managers adopt a dialogic mindset, and listen and respond to the views of stakeholders. The chapter makes recommendations for an implementation process of the ethical premise of CSR. Finally, our critical reflection provides researchers with a conceptual lens for future empirical studies

Not seeing the carbon for the trees? Why area-based targets for establishing new woodlands can limit or underplay their climate change mitigation benefits

Acknowledgements: The James Hutton Institute is supported by the Scottish Government’s Rural and Environment Science and Analytical Services Division (RESAS). This research was funded through both ClimatexChange and two strategic Research Programs (2011-16 and 2016-21). The authors acknowledge the assistance provided by other staff – Marie Castellazzi, Nikki Baggaley, Allan Lilly (The James Hutton Institute); Jo Smith (University of Aberdeen); Philip Taylor, Duncan Ray (Forest Research).Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Environment and Rural Affairs Monitoring & Modelling Programme ERAMMP - Report-32: National Forest in Wales - Evidence Review

This review was commissioned by Welsh Government (WG) from the Environment and Rural Affairs Monitoring and Modelling Programme (ERAMMP) to provide key evidence of potential benefits and disbenefits of woodland creation, woodland expansion and managing undermanaged woodland, to provide an evidence base to inform the development of a National Forest for Wales. During the commissioning process, WG emphasised that the evidence provided must reflect the collective views of the community by reviewing the literature in an objective way highlighting where evidence is contradictory or weak. Within the time available, evidence of causality of impacts, the likely timescales and magnitude of these impacts should be also be presented, for both positive and negative impacts of woodland expansion and management of undermanaged woodlands. This Evidence Pack should also build on the evidence put forward in the ERAMMP Sustainable Farm Scheme (SFS) (https://erammp.wales/en/resources) which included a range of assessments of the value of intervention measures which promoted trees within a landscape setting for a range of environmental, economic and social outcomes. The required rapid production of the review in four months meant an expert approach of key evidence was expected rather than a systematic review. Key topics to cover were selected, in partnership with WG, focussing on issues that could fundamentally change decision-making going forward. The final agreed list was arranged under a series of high-level subject headings, and the individual reviews published as ERAMMP Reports 33 to 38 and include; Biodiversity; Managing Undermanaged Woodland; Future-proofing our Woodland; Climate Change Mitigation; Ecosystem Services, and Economics and Natural Capital Accounting. An Integrated Assessment was also commissioned to provide a synthesis of cross-cutting themes and dependencies between topics. These ERAMMP reports are all provided as Annexes to this report

Mitochondrial physiology

As the knowledge base and importance of mitochondrial physiology to evolution, health and disease expands, the necessity for harmonizing the terminology concerning mitochondrial respiratory states and rates has become increasingly apparent. The chemiosmotic theory establishes the mechanism of energy transformation and coupling in oxidative phosphorylation. The unifying concept of the protonmotive force provides the framework for developing a consistent theoretical foundation of mitochondrial physiology and bioenergetics. We follow the latest SI guidelines and those of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) on terminology in physical chemistry, extended by considerations of open systems and thermodynamics of irreversible processes. The concept-driven constructive terminology incorporates the meaning of each quantity and aligns concepts and symbols with the nomenclature of classical bioenergetics. We endeavour to provide a balanced view of mitochondrial respiratory control and a critical discussion on reporting data of mitochondrial respiration in terms of metabolic flows and fluxes. Uniform standards for evaluation of respiratory states and rates will ultimately contribute to reproducibility between laboratories and thus support the development of data repositories of mitochondrial respiratory function in species, tissues, and cells. Clarity of concept and consistency of nomenclature facilitate effective transdisciplinary communication, education, and ultimately further discovery