International Journal of Business and Globalisation http://www.inderscience.com/browse/index.php?journalID=245&year=2012&vol=8&issue=2 Inderscience Publishers Ltd en-uk International Journal of Business and Globalisation 1753-3627 1753-3635 © 2012 Inderscience Publishers Ltd editor@inderscience.com https://www.inderscience.com/images/files/coverImgs/ijbg_scoverijbg.jpg http://www.inderscience.com/browse/index.php?journalID=245&year=2012&vol=8&issue=2 http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=45394 Our study validates the Bartlett and Ghoshal typology for international, multinational, and transnational firms using a comparative match pair sample of German and Chinese firms. We chose to compare firms in these two countries because of the role Germany has played as the world export champion and the rapid international business expansion of the People's Republic of China. Based on survey data we compared international firms that have their headquarters in Germany with those located in China. The effect of the internationalisation degree on the firm type turned out, as expected, to be very significant. Contrary to our predictions however, Chinese firms were more likely than German firms to adopt transnational strategies and structures. PRC appears to be moving more quickly than expected to the 'transnational model'. This result is consistent with the observation that the Chinese economy is developing and globalising at an even faster rate than Japan did in the 1960s. Internationalisation strategies of multinationals in Germany and the People's Republic of China – a comparison
Patricia Kraft; Meng Fanchen; Michael Dowling; Roland Helm
International Journal of Business and Globalisation, Vol. 8, No. 2 (2012) pp. 171 - 186
Our study validates the Bartlett and Ghoshal typology for international, multinational, and transnational firms using a comparative match pair sample of German and Chinese firms. We chose to compare firms in these two countries because of the role Germany has played as the world export champion and the rapid international business expansion of the People's Republic of China. Based on survey data we compared international firms that have their headquarters in Germany with those located in China. The effect of the internationalisation degree on the firm type turned out, as expected, to be very significant. Contrary to our predictions however, Chinese firms were more likely than German firms to adopt transnational strategies and structures. PRC appears to be moving more quickly than expected to the 'transnational model'. This result is consistent with the observation that the Chinese economy is developing and globalising at an even faster rate than Japan did in the 1960s.

]]> 10.1504/IJBG.2012.045394 International Journal of Business and Globalisation, Vol. 8, No. 2 (2012) pp. 171 - 186 Patricia Kraft; Meng Fanchen; Michael Dowling; Roland Helm University of Regensburg, 93040 Regensburg, Germany. ' School of Management & Economics, Beijing Institute of Technology, 5 South Zhongguancun Street, Beijing 100081, China. ' University of Regensburg, 93040 Regensburg, Germany. ' University of Regensburg, 93040 Regensburg, Germany Bartlett and Ghoshal typology international management China Germany empirical study internationalisation strategies multinational enterprises MNEs transnational strategies globalisation. 2012-02-09T23:20:50-05:00 8 2 171 186 2012-02-09T23:20:50-05:00 http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=45395 Brazil, Russia, India, and China are the four fastest growing economies to emerge at the dawn of the new century. Concisely referred to as BRIC, the growth of these states has transferred sources of wealth and capital. To fuel such rising economies requires resources. In particular, food, construction materials, and energy are necessary to sustain BRIC growth. This paper will ultimately examine the relationship between macroeconomic factors of the BRIC countries and commodity price movements from the early 1990s to the end of 2007. Some strong relationships were found, including metal price fluctuations on Brazil's Stock Index and oil price fluctuations on Russia GDP. Interestingly, we could not find any significant relationships between China's macroeconomic factors and commodity price movements. Oil and metal price movements and BRIC macro-economy: an empirical analysis
Paul Kim; Tomohiro Ando
International Journal of Business and Globalisation, Vol. 8, No. 2 (2012) pp. 187 - 206
Brazil, Russia, India, and China are the four fastest growing economies to emerge at the dawn of the new century. Concisely referred to as BRIC, the growth of these states has transferred sources of wealth and capital. To fuel such rising economies requires resources. In particular, food, construction materials, and energy are necessary to sustain BRIC growth. This paper will ultimately examine the relationship between macroeconomic factors of the BRIC countries and commodity price movements from the early 1990s to the end of 2007. Some strong relationships were found, including metal price fluctuations on Brazil's Stock Index and oil price fluctuations on Russia GDP. Interestingly, we could not find any significant relationships between China's macroeconomic factors and commodity price movements.

]]> 10.1504/IJBG.2012.045395 International Journal of Business and Globalisation, Vol. 8, No. 2 (2012) pp. 187 - 206 Paul Kim; Tomohiro Ando Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth, Dartmouth College, 100 Tuck Hall, Hanover, NH 03755 USA. ' Graduate School of Business Administration, Keio University, 2-1-1 Hiyoshi-Honcho, Kohoku-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa, 223-8523, Japan Brazil Russia India China BRIC economies commodity markets Granger causality tests vector autoregression model VAR model oil prices price movements metal prices price fluctuations macroeconomics commodity prices. 2012-02-09T23:20:50-05:00 8 2 187 206 2012-02-09T23:20:50-05:00 http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=45396 This paper, through comparing the determinants between corporate failures and survivors, identifies factors in relation to liability of newness that cause corporate failures. Liability of newness has attracted research attention as a significant attribute for organisational failure, in particular, in the early studies of organisational ecology. However, scarce research has been done on corporate failure and liability of newness from a comparative perspective, i.e., through comparing corporate failures and survivors. This paper develops a model and a series of hypotheses based on the characteristics of liability of newness, resource-based view and capability theories. In light of this model, it compares corporate failures and survivors, and more importantly, illustrates the correlation between internal resources, capabilities and corporate failure. Our analysis of data from 811 random samples taken from the Database of Industrial Enterprise of China suggests that the deficiency of internal resource and capability are likely to induce failure. In order to accelerate survival rate, we make some recommendations for improving new venture's resources capabilities and liability of newness. What resources do the Chinese firms need for their survival in South China?
Rongwei Ren; Wubao Zhang; Yunxia Zhu
International Journal of Business and Globalisation, Vol. 8, No. 2 (2012) pp. 207 - 225
This paper, through comparing the determinants between corporate failures and survivors, identifies factors in relation to liability of newness that cause corporate failures. Liability of newness has attracted research attention as a significant attribute for organisational failure, in particular, in the early studies of organisational ecology. However, scarce research has been done on corporate failure and liability of newness from a comparative perspective, i.e., through comparing corporate failures and survivors. This paper develops a model and a series of hypotheses based on the characteristics of liability of newness, resource-based view and capability theories. In light of this model, it compares corporate failures and survivors, and more importantly, illustrates the correlation between internal resources, capabilities and corporate failure. Our analysis of data from 811 random samples taken from the Database of Industrial Enterprise of China suggests that the deficiency of internal resource and capability are likely to induce failure. In order to accelerate survival rate, we make some recommendations for improving new venture's resources capabilities and liability of newness.

]]> 10.1504/IJBG.2012.045396 International Journal of Business and Globalisation, Vol. 8, No. 2 (2012) pp. 207 - 225 Rongwei Ren; Wubao Zhang; Yunxia Zhu Sun Yat-sen University, No. 135, Xingangxi Road, Guangzhou, China. ' Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, No. 2, North BaiYuna Dadao, Guangzhou, China. ' Business School, The University of Queensland, 4072 QLD, Australia new ventures liability of newness LON resource capability firm survival China corporate failure resource-based view RBV. 2012-02-09T23:20:50-05:00 8 2 207 225 2012-02-09T23:20:50-05:00 http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=45397 The purpose of this paper is to empirically examine the financing life cycle pattern of micro-firms in Sweden from the agency costs theory perspective. The study shows that the financing structures of firms change over the firms' life cycles. Firms generally rely on internal financial sources such as equity capital and retained profits, particularly at the start-up stage. They also use short-term debt as the second most important financial source at this stage. As firms age and develop, the use of short-term debt decreases and the use of both equity capital and long-term debt simultaneously increase. The financing patterns of firms in different industries over their life cycles follow the general pattern of the total sample. The results from the statistical tests support the applicability of the financial life cycle model and the agency costs theory to explain it. Agency costs theory and the financing life cycle empirical evidence from Swedish firm-level data
Darush Yazdanfar
International Journal of Business and Globalisation, Vol. 8, No. 2 (2012) pp. 226 - 238
The purpose of this paper is to empirically examine the financing life cycle pattern of micro-firms in Sweden from the agency costs theory perspective. The study shows that the financing structures of firms change over the firms' life cycles. Firms generally rely on internal financial sources such as equity capital and retained profits, particularly at the start-up stage. They also use short-term debt as the second most important financial source at this stage. As firms age and develop, the use of short-term debt decreases and the use of both equity capital and long-term debt simultaneously increase. The financing patterns of firms in different industries over their life cycles follow the general pattern of the total sample. The results from the statistical tests support the applicability of the financial life cycle model and the agency costs theory to explain it.

]]> 10.1504/IJBG.2012.045397 International Journal of Business and Globalisation, Vol. 8, No. 2 (2012) pp. 226 - 238 Darush Yazdanfar Department of Social Sciences, Mid Sweden University, Regementsgatan, 25-27, Östersund, 831 25, Sweden financial life cycle financial structure micro firms agency theory pecking order theory Sweden agency costs equity capital retained profits short-term debt long-term debt. 2012-02-09T23:20:50-05:00 8 2 226 238 2012-02-09T23:20:50-05:00 http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=45398 According to the representative studies, higher level of perceived value leads to higher levels of customer satisfaction, greater levels of customer loyalty and to a greater success of organisations. Due to this, firm has to identify the factors of perceived value in order to offer the value which customers want. If the difference between customer's and firm's perception exists then the service gap appears and customers do not receive the service which they wanted. The purpose of this paper is to define how the service provider should create its offer based on customer perceived value, which dimensions of the offer should be improved for attracting more customers and maintaining the existing ones and which gaps should be avoided. In addition to the theoretical framework in the article is presented an example of the discount retailing in Croatia between Konsum and Lidle and how they should design their offer. Discount retailing, a European test case for perceived value as a basis for shaping the firm's offer
Claudio Vignali; Gianpaolo Vignali; Daniella Vignali Ryding
International Journal of Business and Globalisation, Vol. 8, No. 2 (2012) pp. 239 - 255
According to the representative studies, higher level of perceived value leads to higher levels of customer satisfaction, greater levels of customer loyalty and to a greater success of organisations. Due to this, firm has to identify the factors of perceived value in order to offer the value which customers want. If the difference between customer's and firm's perception exists then the service gap appears and customers do not receive the service which they wanted. The purpose of this paper is to define how the service provider should create its offer based on customer perceived value, which dimensions of the offer should be improved for attracting more customers and maintaining the existing ones and which gaps should be avoided. In addition to the theoretical framework in the article is presented an example of the discount retailing in Croatia between Konsum and Lidle and how they should design their offer.

]]> 10.1504/IJBG.2012.045398 International Journal of Business and Globalisation, Vol. 8, No. 2 (2012) pp. 239 - 255 Claudio Vignali; Gianpaolo Vignali; Daniella Vignali Ryding The Business School, Leeds Metropolitan University, Rose Bowl, Leeds LS1, UK. ' Hollings Faculty, Manchester Metropolitan University, Old Hall Lane, Manchester M14 6hr, UK. ' The Business School, The University of Central Lancashire, Preston, Lancs PR1, UK customer perceived value firm perception service gap Konsum Lidle Balkan retailing discount retailing customer satisfaction customer loyalty Croatia. 2012-02-09T23:20:50-05:00 8 2 239 255 2012-02-09T23:20:50-05:00 http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=45399 A construct of conscientious corporate brands (hereinafter called CCBs) is tested by examining the environmental and climate change issues, and the internal and external corporate codes of ethics as dimensions of CCBs. The objective is to validate research in ethical branding by testing 'the conscientious dimension' of a corporate brand. The study is based upon Taiwanese business-to-business relationships. A conscientious corporate brand model – a Taiwanese assessment
Tzong-Ru Lee; Tore Mysen; Göran Svensson
International Journal of Business and Globalisation, Vol. 8, No. 2 (2012) pp. 256 - 267
A construct of conscientious corporate brands (hereinafter called CCBs) is tested by examining the environmental and climate change issues, and the internal and external corporate codes of ethics as dimensions of CCBs. The objective is to validate research in ethical branding by testing 'the conscientious dimension' of a corporate brand. The study is based upon Taiwanese business-to-business relationships.

]]> 10.1504/IJBG.2012.045399 International Journal of Business and Globalisation, Vol. 8, No. 2 (2012) pp. 256 - 267 Tzong-Ru Lee; Tore Mysen; Göran Svensson National Chung Hsing University, 250 Kuo Kuang Road, Taichung, Taiwan. ' Oslo School of Management, P.O. Box 1195, Sentrum, 0107, Oslo, Norway. ' Oslo School of Management, P.O. Box 1195, Sentrum, 0107, Oslo, Norway conscientious dimension corporate brands code of ethics natural environment climate change business-to-business B2B relationships Taiwan ethical branding environmental issues. 2012-02-09T23:20:50-05:00 8 2 256 267 2012-02-09T23:20:50-05:00 http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=45393 In Japan, very few studies have been conducted that have explored the behaviours of nascent, novice, serial, and portfolio founders. Policy-makers in Japan have thus far focused upon nascent founders and provided various start-up assistance programmes enable them to become novice founders. They have not assessed the benefit as well as costs of providing assistance to nascent founders compared with novice, portfolio, and serial founders. When assuming the policy objectives of job generation and wealth creation, our explanatory study shows that serial founders made significantly larger contributions to job generation and wealth creation than their counterparts. As a remaining research problem, we point out to conducting the estimation of causality between the variables adopted. Novice, serial, and portfolio founders in Japan
Tatsuyoshi Masuda
International Journal of Business and Globalisation, Vol. 8, No. 2 (2012) pp. 268 - 291
In Japan, very few studies have been conducted that have explored the behaviours of nascent, novice, serial, and portfolio founders. Policy-makers in Japan have thus far focused upon nascent founders and provided various start-up assistance programmes enable them to become novice founders. They have not assessed the benefit as well as costs of providing assistance to nascent founders compared with novice, portfolio, and serial founders. When assuming the policy objectives of job generation and wealth creation, our explanatory study shows that serial founders made significantly larger contributions to job generation and wealth creation than their counterparts. As a remaining research problem, we point out to conducting the estimation of causality between the variables adopted.

]]> 10.1504/IJBG.2012.045393 International Journal of Business and Globalisation, Vol. 8, No. 2 (2012) pp. 268 - 291 Tatsuyoshi Masuda Department of Economics, Hokusei Gakuen University, 2-3-1, Oyachi Nishi Atsubetu ku, Sapporo 004-0042, Japan novice founders portfolio founders serial founders work experience start-ups performance employment size Japan job generation wealth creation assistance benefits assistance costs start-up assistance entrepreneurship firm creation. 2012-02-09T23:20:50-05:00 8 2 268 291 2012-02-09T23:20:50-05:00