Modern slavery and international business scholarship: the governance nexus

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (2/3) ◽  
pp. 139-157 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brent Burmester ◽  
Snejina Michailova ◽  
Christina Stringer
Keyword(s):  
International Business ◽  
Multinational Enterprises ◽  
Governance System ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Modern Slavery ◽  
Strong Position ◽  
Multi Level ◽  
Primary Unit ◽  
Regulatory Challenge

Purpose Modern slavery is a problem that international business (IB) research can no longer ignore. Multinational enterprises (MNEs) are often contributors to the persistence of modern slavery, by virtue of the regulatory challenge they pose to states and their insufficient oversight of supply chains. The purpose of this paper is to show that governance inadequacies with respect to modern slavery will be lessened if IB scholars give more attention to MNEs’ governing role within and beyond global value chains. Design/methodology/approach A set of arguments is presented in support of intensified effort in IB research with respect to studying the role of MNEs in transnational labour governance. The paper draws inspiration from IB theory and the conceptualisation of the MNE in neighbouring disciplines that regard it as a bearer of duties toward labour, consistent with its role in multilevel governance. Insights from the literature on global and multi-level governance are utilised. Findings The paper construes modern slavery as a multi-level governance challenge and argues that MNE capabilities and responsibilities with respect to labour governance and the deterrence of slavery exceed those identified on the margins of IB literature. MNEs are underappreciated as governors within the multilevel transnational labour governance system. The IB discipline is in a strong position to develop our understanding of the MNE’s different roles in governance and thereby contribute to the reduced incidence of modern slavery. Originality/value This paper represents an attempt to mobilise the IB academy to help eliminate slavery from workplaces that rely on MNE patronage or where labour rights abuses are made possible by MNE diversion of governance resources. It places particular emphasis on the use and abuse of MNEs’ governance capabilities in the sphere of international relations and calls attention to over-simplification of the MNE, IB’s primary unit of analysis.

scholarly journals MNEs and human rights: from responsibilities to rights to governance

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 117-135
Author(s):  
Stefan Zagelmeyer
Keyword(s):  
Human Rights ◽  
Multinational Enterprises ◽  
Analytical Framework ◽  
Governance System ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Human Rights Abuses ◽  
Business And Human Rights ◽  
Social Value Creation ◽  
Consumption Community

Purpose This paper aims to explore the links between multinational enterprises (MNEs) and human rights abuses and review the development of international business (IB) and human rights initiatives. Arguing that the focus of the business and human rights debate has shifted from responsibility to rights, and subsequently to governance, it proposes a framework for analysing IB and human rights governance issues in the context of social value creation. Design/methodology/approach The paper develops a framework for analysing business and human rights governance with respect to the business and human rights field and four business and human rights subfields (labour, consumption, community and environment). Findings The analytical framework is organised around the relationships between human rights duty-bearers (companies) and human rights-holders (e.g., employees, consumers). It emphasises the role of actors and their interests, the relationships between actors, the objectives of these relationships and the role of governance mechanisms and structures, which, for a particular human rights subfield, define the IB and human rights governance system. Originality/value The analytical framework can be used by IB researchers, practitioners and public policymakers to describe, analyse, discuss and address business and human rights issues and challenges. It can be used for comparing and evaluating characteristics and properties of alternative institutional arrangements in the field of business and human rights. Furthermore, it can be used to support the design corporate non-market strategies as well as public policies.

Solid waste management- sustainability towards a better future, role of CSR – a review

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (6) ◽  
pp. 762-771
Author(s):  
Preethi Rajesh
Keyword(s):  
Waste Management ◽  
Solid Waste ◽  
Solid Waste Management ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Air Contamination ◽  
Healthy Environment ◽  
Multi Level ◽  
Corporate Social ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose Human activities in household and industries generate an enormous amount of waste material, both organic and non-biodegradable matter, which substantially contribute to land, water and air contamination. The study aims to highlight the possible methods in solid waste management (SWM) and its influence on economy and environment. The paper is an attempt to bring out the necessity of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in the management of solid waste. Design/methodology/approach The paper is prepared after an elaborate review of literature connected with SWM. Findings The paper emphasizes the need of SWM and the role of corporate bodies in building a robust system in the management of solid waste, creating a healthy environment to all. Research limitations/implications The paper is entirely based on literature review and reports and not on individual's research. Practical implications The paper has a multi-level faceted approach where real-time practices in different countries have been explored. Social implications This study can enable the collaboration of corporates, scientific community and the municipal local bodies in the area of SWM. Originality/value This paper deliberates on how CSR can be a driving force for a sustainable model for SWM.

Linking corporate entrepreneurship, expatriation and reverse knowledge transfers

2019 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-89 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Mustafa Raziq ◽  
Cristina Doritta Rodrigues ◽  
Felipe Mendes Borini ◽  
Omer Farooq Malik ◽  
Abubakr Saeed
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Multinational Enterprises ◽  
Corporate Entrepreneurship ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Knowledge Transfers ◽  
Entrepreneurial Strategy ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose Multinational enterprises (MNEs) encourage their subsidiaries to develop and transfer their unique knowledge and expertise back to the MNE as it is critical for the development of the MNE as a whole. However, what underlies the subsidiary ability to create such specialized knowledge that can be transferred to the MNE is less clear. The purpose of this paper is to examine the influence of MNE entrepreneurial strategy, subsidiary initiatives and expatriation on reverse knowledge transfers in a cross-country comparative context. Design/methodology/approach Data are gathered through surveys from 429 foreign subsidiaries operating in New Zealand and 164 subsidiaries in Brazil, and these are analyzed using variance-based structural equation modeling. Findings Subsidiary initiatives partially mediate the relationship between MNE entrepreneurial strategy and reverse knowledge transfers in case of subsidiaries operating in Brazil, but they fully mediate in case of New Zealand. Furthermore, expatriation, in case of the latter, has a negative interaction in the relationship between subsidiary initiative and reverse knowledge transfers, but, in case of the former, it has no moderating role. Overall, the results suggest that the influence of MNE entrepreneurial strategy and expatriation on reverse knowledge transfers can be explained by contingencies such as the subsidiary host economy and the heterogenous HQ–subsidiary relationships. Originality/value The paper contributes to literature by identifying some contingencies with regard to the occurrence of reverse knowledge transfers. It addresses some research calls with regard to examining reverse knowledge transfers and the role of expatriation across different empirical contexts.

An organismic approach to multinational enterprise failure

2019 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeong-Yang Park ◽  
Yong Kyu Lew ◽  
Byung Il Park
Keyword(s):  
International Business ◽  
Delphi Technique ◽  
Multinational Enterprises ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Multinational Enterprise ◽  
Institutional Pressures ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Institutional Legitimacy ◽  
Foreign Divestment ◽  
Market Strategies

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to answer why some multinational enterprises (MNEs) fail within the international business (IB) domain. Design/methodology/approach Conceptually, the study takes an organismic approach to MNE failure. Methodologically, it adopts an elite interview approach derived from the Delphi technique. Respondents are 39 IB and strategic management academics. Findings The paper finds that MNE failure is rooted in strategic leadership and capabilities (i.e. internal deterioration of organizational resources and strategies) and institutional pressures and differences, and these factors lead to deterioration of institutional legitimacy for an MNE. Originality/value The paper conducts a review of the firm failure and foreign divestment literature and undertakes an organismic approach to the analysis of MNE failure in the IB context. The paper provides useful insights on developing and implementing both market and non-market strategies for overcoming MNE internationalization failure.

Exploring the rationale for integrated report assurance

2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (6) ◽  
pp. 1826-1854 ◽  
Author(s):  
Warren Maroun
Keyword(s):  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Sustainability Reporting ◽  
Organisational Change ◽  
Integrated Reporting ◽  
Governance System ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Reporting Practices ◽  
The Status ◽  
Perceived Relevance

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine why companies assure some of the information found in their integrated reports, possible changes required to existing assurance practices and the motivation for either seeking to expand current technologies of assurance or to maintain the status quo. Design/methodology/approach The research is exploratory/interpretive. Data are collected from detailed interviews with preparers and assurance experts. Framing theory provides the data analysis framework. Findings Three broad views on assurance are identified. An expectation management perspective focusses on the role of assurance as a legitimisation tool and requires no changes to existing assurance standards. A value-adding perspective emphasises the role of assurance in improving the usefulness of information being reported to stakeholders and its function as part of a broader corporate governance system. This can evolve into a change-potential outlook in terms of which assurance is used to promote positive organisational change, something which may require the development of new standards/guidelines for assuring integrated reports. Research limitations/implications Only preparers and assurance experts are engaged to explore the rationale for seeking to have parts of an integrated report assured. The views of the broader stakeholder community are not taken into account. The study is also limited to a single jurisdiction where integrated reporting practices are relatively well established. Practical implications Assurance of non-financial information cannot be understood only in terms of broad drivers such as firm size, environmental impact or listing status. It is inextricably linked with the perceived relevance of integrated (or sustainability) reporting and the value which assurance provides to an organisation and its stakeholders. Originality/value The study complements the mainly quantitative research on determinants of assurance of environmental or social disclosures. It is one of the few to provide primary evidence on the reasons for having these types of disclosures assured and how this informs the need for changes to existing assurance practices. The paper is also one of the first to deal with the assurance of environmental or social information in an integrated reporting context.

Multi-level ambidexterity in new product introduction at Tata Motors, India

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 211-235 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saurav Snehvrat ◽  
Swarup Dutta
Keyword(s):  
New Product ◽  
New Product Introduction ◽  
Distinct Form ◽  
Product Introduction ◽  
Content Type ◽  
New Product Introductions ◽  
Exploitative Learning ◽  
Multi Level ◽  
Voice Of Customer

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the multi-faceted role of metaroutines in dealing with nested ambidexterity challenges experienced during new product introductions (NPIs) at Tata Motors, an Indian automotive giant. Design/methodology/approach This study utilizes an in-depth multi-level case study highlighting the ambidexterity dynamics across strategic, business unit and functional levels. Findings The authors visualize the NPI system found in the firm, including the interactions between structure, process and governance, as a metaroutine. Based on this visualization, the authors argue that certain ostensive (like voice of customer, commonality) and performative (role of leadership and creative recombination) aspects of the metaroutine aid exploratory and exploitative learning across levels at Tata Motors. Further, the authors argue that the role of embedded NPI metaroutine aspects in promoting multi-level ambidexterity offers a distinct form when compared with other academically established forms of structural, contextual and temporal ambidexterity. Practical implications This study focuses on the aspects of the NPI metaroutine that enable ambidexterity within the studied firm. The authors argue that apart from the structural, temporal and contextual mechanisms, managers also need to focus on the nuances of NPI metaroutines and their potential to promote ambidexterity across levels. Originality/value The authors visualize the interactions between the process, structure and governance mechanisms, related to NPI, as a metaroutine. The authors argue that metaroutine enabled approaches to ambidexterity offer a distinct form when compared with other academically established forms of structural, contextual and temporal ambidexterity. Also, metaroutine enabled ambidexterity explains a possible way through which multi-level ambidexterity can be promoted and managed within organizations.

Fixing “bad” capitalism: why CSR and pro-good initiatives may not be enough

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 137-142 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elisa Giuliani ◽  
Federica Nieri
Keyword(s):  
Child Labor ◽  
Multinational Enterprises ◽  
Social Role ◽  
Past Century ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Grand Challenges ◽  
Modern Slavery ◽  
Short Commentary ◽  
Corporate Elites

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide a short commentary on the negative consequences of contemporary global capitalism on society. Despite the economic growth experienced across the world over the past century, the so-called grand challenges which include, for instance, rising inequality, global warming, modern slavery and child labor, are becoming endemic phenomena also in high income countries. The authors invite further research to come up with radical ideas to fix “bad” capitalism. Design/methodology/approach The proliferation of negative business conducts has led international business scholars to propose new ways to address sustainability grand challenges. The articles in this special issue on which the authors were invited to comment, Holmström Lind, Kang, Ljung and Forsgren; Lashitew and van Tulder; Zagelmeyer, are contributing to this agenda. The authors contextualise these articles in the current scholarly discussion on the social role of Multinational Enterprises (MNEs). Findings Despite all the calls for business to be more responsible and despite the steps taken by MNEs through their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) policies, this is not enough to address contemporary grand challenges with any degree of seriousness. Originality/value The authors invite further research to propose new attempts to fix “bad” capitalism that also involve a rethinking of the way companies reward corporate elites and redistribute their gains.

Sensemaking at work: meaningful work experience for individuals and organizations

2016 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 2-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ozen Asik-Dizdar ◽  
Ayla Esen
Keyword(s):  
Work Experience ◽  
Meaningful Work ◽  
Job Crafting ◽  
Organizational Level ◽  
Organizational Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Organizational Environments ◽  
Sensemaking Theory ◽  
Multi Level

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to take a closer look at the concept of meaningful work experience for individuals and organizations, and discuss the role of sensemaking in creating it. Design/methodology/approach – The main argument of the paper is that sensemaking efforts are among the fundamental tools that help create meaningful work experience for both individuals and organizations. The paper offers a conceptual framework that presents the interplay between sensemaking tools and enabling mechanisms in relation to internal and external organizational environments. Findings – It is proposed that job crafting is a sensemaking tool – enabled by empowerment – for individuals to make sense of the internal environment of the organization; and strategy crafting is a sensemaking tool – enabled by organizational learning – for organizations to make sense of the external environment of the organization. Originality/value – This paper attempts to converge micro- and macro-level concepts by bringing together individual- and organizational-level variables into a joint discussion. It places job crafting and strategy crafting in the context of sensemaking theory, and it reinforces the idea of proposing models that will consider the multi-level implications of organizational research.

scholarly journals A longitudinal study of MNE innovation: the case of Goodyear

2014 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 270-293 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vittoria Giada Scalera ◽  
Debmalya Mukherjee ◽  
Alessandra Perri ◽  
Ram Mudambi
Keyword(s):  
Longitudinal Study ◽  
Multinational Enterprises ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Historical Analysis ◽  
Innovation Network ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Hard Science ◽  
Industry Environment ◽  
Innovation Practices

Purpose – The purpose of this article is to provide insights into the innovation trajectory, and knowledge pipelines of mature industry multinational enterprises (MNEs). The ability to innovate constantly amidst a turbulent and competitive environment is often the key force behind MNE survival and dominance. Design/methodology/approach – This study conducts an in-depth longitudinal study of the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, a global manufacturing company in the tire and rubber industry. The findings are based on USPTO patent and trademark data from 1975-2005. Findings – The analysis reveals three crucial trends: the major role of continuous investment in innovation in the firm’s survival and turnaround; the evolution of the firm’s innovation network from a headquarters-centric model toward more geographical dispersal; and the changing mix of innovation from traditional “hard” science-based research toward a greater emphasis on “softer” competencies in design and trademarks. This third trend, in particular, opens up important new avenues for research on MNE innovation practices. Originality/value – This study integrates historical analysis of a single firm in the context of its changing industry environment. The historical analysis is enriched by a detailed longitudinal quantitative analysis using a variegated dataset of patents and trademarks to investigate innovation.

Home government influence on Russian MNEs: balancing control against interest

2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 474-496 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrei Panibratov
Keyword(s):  
Multinational Enterprises ◽  
Home Country ◽  
Emerging Market ◽  
International Strategy ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Strong Product ◽  
Institutional Forces ◽  
The Government ◽  
Role Of The Government

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide a better understanding of how the government influences the internationalization of emerging MNEs and, more specifically, answer the questions how and to what extent does the combination of the home country government’s control and interest influence Russian MNEs. Design/methodology/approach First, the author examined sector-specific factors and institutional forces that affect the development of the Russian economy’s industries. Second, the author has classified the sectors included in this study into four groups according to the following two main criteria: the interest of the government in the development of the sector, and the degree of state control for the firms in the sector. Third, the author has analyzed the forms and types of the government participation in firms’ internationalization in defined groups based on the observation of industries’ legislative acts and state decrees and orders. After that, the author has verified the existence of certain similarities of strategies under the governmental influence, and finally discussed the extent of the control and interest implied by the government toward these firms. Findings After analyzing the patterns of the state involvement in firms’ internationalization in various groups the author found that some of the groups are characterized by similar types of government role and their responses are, also, sometimes similar. The author presents a more detailed look at the above results in Table III, and explain the two-sided role of the government in different groups of firms. Research limitations/implications While the literature emphasizes that institutional forces shape the internationalization of emerging multinational enterprises, they have not been comprehensively linked to explaining the contradictory role of the government in this process. The author addresses this gap by examining an integrated influence that home government factors (namely, control and interest) exert in enabling firms to compete abroad. In addition, the author contributes to the knowledge about the behavior of Russian firms, which is one of the less researched areas in the field of international management. Practical implications The paper also has value for companies’ strategists as it provides them with understanding of the complexity of government-related determinants influencing the internationalization process of their firms and the types of firms’ abilities to be developed or supported. It also provides a practical tool for modeling their international strategy formation and accounting for different types of state influences on internationalization of EM firms. Originality/value This paper highlights the government-related aspects of the internationalization of Russian MNEs. Even when they go abroad with strong product capabilities and a proactive managerial style, they still benefit from home country institutional resources. The author sees the strength of the empirical findings in further extension of the understanding of origins, consequences and prospects of internationalization of emerging market firms with the home government involvement.

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