scholarly journals Back to basics: Behavioral theory and internationalization

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Irina Surdu ◽  
Henrich R. Greve ◽  
Gabriel R. G. Benito
Keyword(s):  
International Business ◽  
Firm Growth ◽  
Theory Of The Firm ◽  
International Market ◽  
Learning By Doing ◽  
Behavioral Theory ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Aspiration Levels ◽  
Firm Internationalization ◽  
Multi Mode

AbstractInternational business (IB) scholars’ over-reliance on a select few theories leaves our understanding of firm internationalization incomplete. The behavioral theory of the firm (BTF) can offer new insights and can be used to model a broad range of firm actions. We focus on the three basic BTF components: problemistic search, learning by doing, and vicarious learning. These components help us understand why firm behaviors are more dynamic and heterogeneous than other theories allow. BTF, with its emphasis on how firms assess performance according to aspiration levels, selectively learn and update routines, and selectively incorporate the learning of others, is better suited to examine the diversity and change increasingly observed in internationalization decisions. We explain why scholars should move beyond “dynamizing” static theories and show BTF’s applicability to behaviors involving change such as multi-mode market entries and market re-entries. BTF also helps examine the decision to internationalize in the first place, nascent firm internationalization, location choices, international market adaptation, and headquarter–subsidiary relationships. We encourage IB scholars to use theories that can handle the complexity increasingly associated with modern firm growth, and propose BTF as a promising starting point.

How Starting Strategy and Network Structure Shape Problemistic Search: An Examination of Venture Capital Firms

2021 ◽  
pp. 104225872110335
Author(s):  
Jake Duke ◽  
Taha Havakhor ◽  
Rachel Mui ◽  
Owen Parker
Keyword(s):  
Venture Capital ◽  
Network Structure ◽  
Theory Of The Firm ◽  
Behavioral Theory ◽  
Organizational Strategy ◽  
Search Process ◽  
Strategy Research ◽  
Structural Holes ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Venture Capital Firms

Building on the behavioral theory of the firm, we empirically examine how starting strategies and syndication networks can influence venture capital (VC) firms’ problemistic search. We propose that: (a) depending on a VC’s strategic starting point, that is, the VC’s extent of specialization, the directionality of problemistic search may change to either expanding or contracting search activities; and (b) depending on search direction, structural holes in syndication networks can either impede or facilitate the problemistic search process. In a sample of U.S. VC firms, we find results consistent with our predictions, which have important implications for entrepreneurship and organizational strategy research.

scholarly journals Performance Feedback Theory

2021 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Maker ◽  
Performance Feedback ◽  
Theory Of The Firm ◽  
Performance Measure ◽  
Behavioral Theory ◽  
Theory Approach ◽  
Aspiration Level ◽  
Actual Performance ◽  
Aspiration Levels ◽  
Wide Range

Performance Feedback Theory (PFT) is a scholarly field that examines how organizations respond to feedback on their performance. Other keywords used by researchers in this area include “adaptive aspirations,” “attainment discrepancy,” “organizational learning from performance feedback,” “performance aspiration,” or a more generic label like a “behavioral theory/approach/perspective.” The origin of PFT can be found in the Carnegie School approach. PFT explicitly and predominantly positions itself as part of the “Behavioral Theory of the Firm” (BTOF). PFT shares many of the same foundational ideas and continues to be influenced by other strands of BTOF scholarship. The main concepts in this theory are performance feedback, aspiration levels, and responses or responsiveness. Aspiration level refers to the minimum level of performance deemed satisfactory by a decision maker, and, thus, it serves as the benchmark against which to evaluate performance. Two types of aspiration levels are common: historical ones, which are based on the organization’s own prior performance, and social ones, which are based on the performance of comparable peer organizations, usually all other firms active in a focal firm’s industry. The comparison of actual performance with aspiration levels constitutes performance feedback. Depending on whether performance feedback is favorable, i.e., exceeds a particular aspiration level being examined, PFT predicts different responses and levels of responsiveness. Commonly, predictions and findings indicate responses that diverge from previous firm actions and greater responsiveness in any area of firm activity where performance is below the aspiration level. Such responses includes a wide range of strategic and operational choices, such as new market entry, investment in fixed assets, research and development (R&D) spending, innovation adoption, and so on. In fact, as PFT continues to develop and gain in popularity, the range of firm and decision maker behaviors linked to performance feedback has greatly increased. While consensus is widespread on the core of the theory, PFT scholarship is still developing. Discussions are ongoing on the extent to which its main predictions apply universally, irrespective of the type of organization examined, the performance measure used, and the type of aspiration level considered. Specifically, research efforts are examining what boundary conditions limit the applicability of PFT’s predictions and which contingencies modify them and, thus, should be included as moderators in PFT models.

scholarly journals Almost‐Maximization as a Behavioral Theory of the Firm: Static, Dynamic and Evolutionary Perspectives

2019 ◽  
Vol 56 (2) ◽  
pp. 237-258
Author(s):  
Huw Dixon
Keyword(s):  
Dynamic Behavior ◽  
Firm Behavior ◽  
Theory Of The Firm ◽  
Behavioral Theory ◽  
Price Rigidity ◽  
Price Setting ◽  
Term Survival ◽  
Sales Revenue ◽  
Evolutionary Perspectives

Abstract In this paper we consider the effect of epsilon maximization on firm behavior. In particular we focus on the dynamic behavior of firms with the use of the example of price‐setting: We show how almost-rational firms can be more volatile in their behavior. However, if a lexicographic preference for simplicity is made, then we can explain nominal price rigidity as a result of epsilon optimization. The behavior of the firm—which is consistent with its long‐term survival—is examined. We argue that epsilon-optimization is consistent with survival in any context in which something is optimized: such as sales revenue.

Interdisciplinary Research in SCM: Through the Lens of the Behavioral Theory of the Firm

2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 107-112 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nada R. Sanders ◽  
Brian S. Fugate ◽  
Zach G. Zacharia
Keyword(s):  
Interdisciplinary Research ◽  
Theory Of The Firm ◽  
Behavioral Theory

A Behavioral Theory of the Firm.

1965 ◽  
Vol 60 (309) ◽  
pp. 378 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Shubik ◽  
Richard M. Cyert ◽  
James G. March
Keyword(s):  
Theory Of The Firm ◽  
Behavioral Theory

International Business Initiatives of the Turkish Enterprises in Global Trade

2016 ◽  
pp. 166-186
Author(s):  
Aytaç Gökmen
Keyword(s):  
International Business ◽  
National Income ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Internationalization Process ◽  
Trade Routes ◽  
Business Operations ◽  
Firm Internationalization ◽  
The World ◽  
Multinational Businesses ◽  
North And South

The amount of trade and international business volume in the world has amounted considerably as a result of the fast moving globalization and declining borders especially after the 1990s. International business and trade are important tools for countries and enterprises to increase their volumes of production and commerce as well as enhance employment, increase the national income and raise revenue for enterprises to make further investments. Turkey is located at the threshold of Europe and Asia, consolidating East and West, and North and South at the convergence of various trade routes. However, despite of being close to various countries, a great deal of Turkey's export potential is focused on the EU and developed countries. However, the production means in Turkey are not adequate, so it imports factors of production from abroad by way of international business operations. Thus, the aim of this study is to review the theory of globalization, international business, firm internationalization process of businesses, impact direction of multinational businesses as well as the commercial operations of the Turkish enterprises, real and commercial abilities of the Turkish firms and international business activities on the global basis; compare this to its entire trade volume and propose comments on these issues resting on credible national and international publications and figures.

scholarly journals Problematic search, slack search and institutional logic in corporate R&D strategy: An empirical analysis of Taiwanese electronics firms

2013 ◽  
Vol 19 (6) ◽  
pp. 659-678 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lin-Hua Lu ◽  
Shih-Chieh Fang
Keyword(s):  
Performance Feedback ◽  
Stock Exchange ◽  
Theory Of The Firm ◽  
Business Group ◽  
Behavioral Theory ◽  
Institutional Logic ◽  
Taiwan Stock Exchange ◽  
Positive Performance ◽  
Theoretical Predictions ◽  
D Investment

AbstractThis study focuses on firms’ search behavior with regard to corporate R&D investment. Building on Cyert and March's (1963) behavioral theory of the firm, we develop specific hypotheses about how firms adjust their R&D investment in response to performance discrepancies, and how this adjustment varies for two types of slack resources. Moreover, by utilizing institutional logic, we also hypothesized that the firms’ search behaviors in response to performance feedback may differ between business-group affiliated and unaffiliated firms. Empirical evidence from panel data coving 274 Taiwanese electronics firms listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange over the period 1999–2008 is consistent with our theoretical predictions. In particular, we find that firms will increase R&D investment when they faced discrepancies in performance, but will decrease R&D spending when close to bankruptcy. Moreover, our results show that unabsorbed and absorbed slack have different impacts, positively and negatively affecting R&D investment, respectively. In addition, we find that both business group-affiliated and unaffiliated firms will increase R&D investment in response to negative performance feedback, but only business group-affiliated firms will increase R&D activity when facing positive performance feedback. Furthermore, we also find that only business group-affiliated firms have a greater inclination to invest in R&D when there is unabsorbed slack. Our findings extend the claims of behavioral theory in newly industrialized economies, and identify the important factors that need to be considered in future studies.

scholarly journals Entry Strategy and Export Marketing in Emerging Markets: A Small Player Case

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 76-85
Author(s):  
Peachayanant Lorvoralak ◽  
Winai Wongsurawat
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Factors ◽  
International Business ◽  
Emerging Economies ◽  
Construction Material ◽  
International Market ◽  
Export Marketing ◽  
Academic Researchers ◽  
Entry Strategy ◽  
Industry Leader

The internationalization of dominant market leaders such as Haier (China), Tata Group (India) and CEMEX (Mexico) in emerging economies has attracted immense amounts of interest among academic researchers. A less-explored area is how non-dominant, second-movers venture into the international market. How do small players connect with foreign customers while operating in the shadows of the industry leader? What decisions are serendipitous and what actions are deliberate? What are the key environmental factors and internal decisions that propel a secondary player to place more chips in the international market? This case study addresses these questions using an example of a construction material manufacturer from Southeast Asia. It is suitable as a discussion starter in an international business class, especially for topics such as entry strategy, export marketing and the organization of international business.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document