Foreign subsidiaries’ relational strategic emphasis and performance implications amid environmental turbulence

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Amonrat Thoumrungroje ◽  
Olimpia C. Racela ◽  
Man Zhang

Purpose Grounded in strategic choice and resource-based views, this study aims to investigate the antecedents and consequences of relational strategic emphasis of foreign subsidiaries operating in Thailand. Four types of relational strategies were identified with associated differential performance outcomes. Design/methodology/approach Data collected via self-administered surveys from a diverse sample of 168 foreign subsidiaries were analyzed in two stages. First, multinomial logistic regression was used to test whether resource-bridging capability, nonmarket-based assets and market-based assets were significant predictors of relational strategy type. Then, multivariate analysis of variance was used to determine whether the four relational strategy types differed in their strategic performance and financial performance. Findings The three resource-based motives are significant predictors of relational strategy. Firms adopting the “dual-relational” strategy tend to have the highest level of resource-bridging capability and nonmarket-based assets while firms pursuing the “business-oriented” strategy are likely to possess a higher level of market-based assets. Extensive reliance on relational ties enables foreign subsidiaries to achieve a much higher level of strategic and financial performance than those that chose to only rely on transactional or contractual relations. Practical implications Foreign subsidiaries operating in emerging markets characterized by an unstable market environment have to establish good relationships with buyers, suppliers and distributors, as well as government agents. Originality/value Using a juxtaposition of political and business ties, a typology of the relational strategy was conceptualized. This study extends non-market strategy research by investigating the relationship between resource and capability in the choice of relational strategy. Diverse degrees of political and business ties show different impacts on strategic and financial performances.

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  

Purpose This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings This research paper concentrates on the links between SME financial performance, business ties, and political ties. Business ties were revealed to be the fundamental microfoundations of formal strategic planning (FSP), by significantly boosting firms' financial performance. However, political ties were revealed to be something to avoid, in emerging market like Turkey, due to their distracting negative influence of firm performance. SMEs can overcome some of the disadvantages of their size by involving positive influence external parties in strategic work, to support internal stakeholders. Originality/value The briefing saves busy executives, strategists and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.


2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 430-451 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sini Laari ◽  
Tomi Solakivi ◽  
Juuso Töyli ◽  
Lauri Ojala

Purpose Firms that need to address growing concerns about the environmental impact of their activities could benefit from collaborating internally and externally. The purpose of this paper is to develop and empirically test a theoretical model of the effects of internal and external environmental collaboration with customers on the firm performance of logistics service providers (LSPs). Design/methodology/approach Hierarchical multiple regression and generalised linear modelling are utilised to analyse 311 LSPs offering road transport services in Finland. The data set was collected from a Finnish nationwide logistics survey in 2012 and financial reports-based data. Findings External environmental collaboration with customers seems to be the most effective way to improve operational and financial performance, while internal environmental collaboration does not yield similar benefits. Research limitations/implications Research limitations include the concentrated geographic origin of the respondents and the exclusion of potential indirect effects of environmental collaboration on operational and financial performance through environmental performance. Practical implications Managers planning to implement environmental initiatives should extend their focus from internal operations to external partners in the supply chain. Originality/value This research is one of the first attempts to focus on performance outcomes with regard to the environmental activities of LSPs. The research provides quantified insights using both self-reported and financial reports-based data.


2015 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 195-214 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sitalakshmi Venkatraman ◽  
Raveendranath Ravi Nayak

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to gain more insight of the nature and strength of relationships among the three triple bottom line (TBL) outcomes, namely corporate environmental performance outcome (CEPO), corporate social performance outcome (CSPO) and corporate financial performance outcome (CFPO) and to evolve a roadmap for integrating sustainable business practices that facilitates in managing and improving their sustainable performance. Literature reports that currently businesses try to achieve economic, social and ecological goals independently resulting in silos. The interrelationships of TBL elements have not been explored and integrated. The literature has already pointed out that to achieve corporate sustainability, managers need to integrate TBL goals in all their business decisions. However, the question remains – how to integrate these three competing goals and this paper attempts to answer this question. Design/methodology/approach – In the research design, the authors use a quantitative research methodology with data collected by means of a survey questionnaire that included both descriptive and exploratory flavour. The empirical study examines the relationships of TBL elements as perceived by 85 different Australian-based large, medium, as well as small business organisations. The data collected were analysed by performing factor analysis on 21 items resulting in three latent factors that were aligned to TBL outcomes and the correlations among them were analysed to assess their interrelationships. Findings – The results of the study report weak, positive relationships existing between the TBL. This result has useful implications well-supported by the qualitative feedback. The paper argues that Australian managers do not see any strategic advantage in pursuing “beyond compliance” sustainable business practices, as they perceive no added value to their organisations’ financial performance outcomes. Integrating economic, social and ecological performances is seen as an additional management burden. Originality/value – While most of the TBL studies conducted worldwide focus on predominantly assessing large organisations toward responsible and sustainable business practices, this paper considers large, medium as well as small businesses. Also, economic, social and environmental issues are explored by organisations individually, while this study investigates their inter-connections. Through the empirical study, this paper provides recommendations and proposes a four-step roadmap with the participation of quality circles that would facilitate the integration of the social responsibility and environment protection practices into the core business operations paving way towards achieving corporate sustainability.


2016 ◽  
Vol 21 (6) ◽  
pp. 661-677 ◽  
Author(s):  
Baofeng Huo ◽  
Zhaojun Han ◽  
Daniel Prajogo

Purpose This paper aims to investigate the antecedents of supply chain information integration (SCII) and their consequences on company performance from the perspective of resource-based view (RBV). Design/methodology/approach Based on empirical survey data collected from 202 Australian manufacturers, this study examines the effects of strategic supply chain relationship (SCR) and supply chain technology (SCT) internalization on external and internal information integration (II) and the effects of external and internal II on operational (operational efficiency and service quality) and financial performance. Structural equation modeling and the maximum-likelihood estimation methods are used to test the proposed relationships. Findings The results indicate that both strategic SCR and SCT internalization are positively related to external and internal II. Moreover, strategic SCR has a stronger positive relationship with external II than with internal II, and SCT internalization has a stronger positive relationship with internal II than with external II. Internal II is positively related only to service quality, and external II is positively related only to operational efficiency. Both operational efficiency and service quality are positively related to financial performance. Originality/value This study contributes to the SCII literature and provides significant managerial implications for manufacturers to leverage their supply chain resources and capabilities by establishing a resources-capabilities-performance framework for the antecedents and consequences of SCII.


2016 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-61 ◽  
Author(s):  
So Won Jeong

Purpose The purpose of the study is to empirically analyze how various types of foreign networks influence the internationalization performance of Korean small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The specific aim is to investigate the impact of each network type (family and friends, clients (buyers, vendors, etc.), potential buyers contacted through an Internet search for export, acquaintances from trade shows and fairs and acquaintances from government organizations) on internationalization performance outcomes, such as financial performance, financial performance satisfaction and strategic performance. Design/methodology/approach To identify influential foreign networks, multiple regression analysis was conducted. The sample consisted of 484 exporting Korean SMEs. Findings The results emphasized the role of business networks with clients in enhancing financial performance, financial performance satisfaction and strategic performance of Korean SMEs in international markets. Originality/value The research contributes to the expansion of SME internationalization literature by identifying various types of foreign networks used in international markets and revealing their differential roles on the internationalization performance of Korean SMEs.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
James M. Crick ◽  
Masoud Karami ◽  
Dave Crick

PurposeCertain small businesses do not possess the assets needed to implement a performance-enhancing entrepreneurial marketing orientation (opportunity-driven behaviours focussed on creating value for customers). Although some entrepreneurs cooperate with their competitors (coopetition) to achieve their day-to-day and long-term goals, it is unclear whether these partnerships are advantageous in this capacity. Thus, grounded in the resource-based view, the purpose of this investigation is to examine whether coopetition positively moderates the relationship between an entrepreneurial marketing orientation and financial performance.Design/methodology/approachSurvey responses were obtained from 184 small tourism and hospitality organisations in New Zealand. Following a series of robustness checks, covariance-based structural equation modelling was used to test the elements of the conceptual model.FindingsUnique insights illustrate an entrepreneurial marketing orientation yielding a negative and significant link with financial performance. Nevertheless, this result was potentially related to the entrepreneurial marketing-oriented opportunities that owner-managers pursued within the context of their sector; in particular, situations when employing an individualistic business model constrained certain decision-makers' ability to pursue “growth-oriented” objectives. However, coopetition produced a positive and significant moderating effect, enabling owner-managers to pursue opportunities via collaborative business models facilitating mutually beneficial performance outcomes.Practical implicationsOwner-managers of under-resourced small firms should be careful when implementing entrepreneurial marketing strategies utilising an individualistic business model. For example, they might pursue opportunities that are not viable and/or become over-loaded with market intelligence that they cannot handle. By collaborating with competitors, owner-managers can learn improved ways to operate within their industries, alongside being equipped with new resources and capabilities. In doing so, coopetition can help overcome some of the potential performance-limiting issues owner-managers face by being under-resourced, namely, via employing a collaborative business model.Originality/valueThis current study contributes to the extant literature by evaluating the complexities of entrepreneurial marketing practices. That is, although earlier research has focussed on the performance-driving outcomes of an entrepreneurial marketing orientation, prior studies typically overlook certain moderating factors that could influence this association. By examining the interaction between an entrepreneurial marketing orientation and coopetition on financial performance, new evidence has emerged on how owner-managers of small firms can utilise interfirm collaboration to succeed within their markets, as opposed to struggling to cope with the challenges of an individualistic business model. Specifically, an entrepreneurial marketing orientation is likely to enhance financial performance when under-resourced companies effectively collaborate with their competitors.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nikhat Afshan ◽  
Jaideep Motwani

Purpose The purpose of this study is to investigate the antecedents and outcomes of supplier integration. Based on an extensive literature review, the study has proposed a research model, which includes both the antecedents and consequences of supplier integration. The study has included contextual factors, namely, trust, relationship commitment to supplier and information technology (IT) for supplier as antecedents to supplier integration. The supplier-related performance outcome and financial performance of manufacturing firm has been modeled as outcome variables. Design/methodology/approach The proposed research model was tested on a sample of 166 manufacturing firms from India using structural equation modeling. Findings The results suggested that trust, relationship commitment to supplier and IT for supplier have a positive impact on supplier integration. The results further confirmed the positive impact of supplier integration on supplier-related performance outcome and supplier-related performance outcome on financial performance of the firm. Originality/value The study argues that the contextual factors (trust, relationship commitment to supplier and IT for supplier will facilitate the integration between manufacturing firms and their suppliers). Further, the study argues that the supplier integration would lead to specific performance outcome resulting from a high level of integration between manufacturer and their key suppliers and labeled it as supplier-related performance outcome (SRPO). The study conceptualizes and develops scale to measure SRPO and investigates the impact of SRPO on the financial performance of the manufacturing firm.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nikhat Afshan ◽  
Purnendu Mandal ◽  
Angappa Gunasekaran ◽  
Jaideep Motwani

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the mediating role of immediate performance outcomes on the relationship between dimensions of supply chain integration (SCI) and financial performance.Design/methodology/approachThis study tests the proposed model linking dimensions of SCI, immediate performance outcomes and financial performance using structural equation modeling on a sample of Indian manufacturing companies.FindingsThe findings suggest that the relationship between dimensions of SCI and firm performance is fully mediated through the immediate performance outcomes.Originality/valueThis study deals with the potential benefits of SCI, especially in developing countries like India, where a little research has been done in this area. Also, this study provides support to practitioners that SCI is an effective way of improving both supply chain performance and financial performance.


2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 1348-1371 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrews Adugudaa Akolaa

Purpose The international market entry strategy by acquisition is one of the critical options for success in international business. The decision to acquire a local firm is expected to impact the post-entry financial performance of the local firm as the acquirers come with proprietary advantages to improve the overall performance of the acquired company. The purpose of this paper is to empirically examine the post-acquisition financial performance of acquired foreign subsidiaries and comparable unacquired local firms in Ghana to determine the effect of foreign acquisition on the financial performance of the local subsidiaries. Design/methodology/approach A quantitative approach was adopted in this study. A sample of 100 locally acquired and non-acquired firms were studied using purposive and convenience sampling method. The research adopted the propensity score matching and the differences in difference methodologies to determine the returns on assets (ROA) of non-acquired local firms and acquired foreign subsidiaries are compared one year pre-acquisition t1 to two years post-acquisition t2. Findings The results demonstrate a higher post-acquisition financial performance of locally acquired foreign subsidiaries in relation to their local counterparts in Ghana. Firms with pre-acquisition modernized ownership structures performed better than state-owned firms and firms with high pre-acquisition absorptive capacity outperformed firms with lower pre-acquisition absorptive capacity. The results also indicate that ROA for acquired local firms in the year of acquisition drops in relation to the year prior to acquisition Research limitations/implications A major limitation of this research is that the relative capability of the parent companies and experience in the transfer of knowledge to the acquired local subsidiaries was not considered. The real impact of the various multinationals would have revealed how the capability and competencies of the different parent companies whose subsidiaries this study considered in the paper make a difference in their performance. The study did not also consider the value of parent company participation in the local management of the acquired subsidiaries. Whereas some acquired firms had parent company staff participating in the local management, others did not have same, thus challenging the performance results without any control of this variable. The other limitation of this research is the fact that it did not also consider the experience of the parent company as a factor that can influence the performance of the subsidiary. The more experienced the parent company is in engaging foreign markets, the more likely the support for the subsidiary will result in higher performance as parent company brings previous learnings. Another limitation of this study is that it measures the financials only (ROA) and hence does not provide a 360° assessment of the subsidiary performance, which includes the operational and overall subsidiary effectiveness. This research has not empirically examined all aspects of foreign acquisitions in Ghana and thus has many aspects for future exploration that other researchers may focus on. The paper has not considered the experience and capability of the parent company to transfer technology, innovation and all the advantages of multinationals to the post-acquisition performance of subsidiaries. More experienced multinationals are most likely to transfer knowledge faster to subsidiaries than less experienced ones, thus likely to show better performance post-acquisition than the less experienced ones. The effect of this phenomenon has not been considered in this study. Parent company participation in the local management of the subsidiary can also make a difference in the post-acquisition performance equation but this has not been considered in this research. Some parent companies actively participate in the local subsidiary management as management support for the subsidiary. This might have some effect on the subsidiary post-acquisition performance but this study does consider this. Other researchers may want to look into this factor. Future researchers may also assess the differences in performance of subsidiaries that are wholly owned and partial owned in Ghana. The performance of Greenfield joint ventures and local firm acquisitions can also be studied. Practical implications Findings of this research has implications for firms using acquisition as foreign market entry strategy to inform the choice of local partners to select for acquisitions as pre-acquisition ownership structure and absorptive capacity of local Ghanaian firms impact post-acquisitions performance. Ghanaian firms also seeking to attract foreign investments into their businesses will also find the results useful as they organize to meet prospective acquirers’ expectations, for example, building their human capacity and ownership structures, developing export and ensuring debt rations to attract potential acquirers. Originality/value Acquisitions as an international market entry strategy continue to gain grounds with lots of research in the area. However, there is scanty research on post-acquisition financial performance, especially in the developing country context, and this paper fills that yawning knowledge gap by comparing acquired and non-acquired local firms in Ghana to determine if foreign acquisitions lead to better ROA.


2015 ◽  
Vol 115 (3) ◽  
pp. 570-588 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sulaiman Ainin ◽  
Farzana Parveen ◽  
Sedigheh Moghavvemi ◽  
Noor Ismawati Jaafar ◽  
Nor Liyana Mohd Shuib

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the factors that influence Facebook usage among small and medium enterprises (SMEs). In addition, it examines the impact of Facebook usage on financial and non-financial performance of the SMEs. Design/methodology/approach – Using integrated model, this study examined the influence of compatibility, cost effectiveness, interactivity and trust on Facebook usage and its subsequent impact on organizations performance. Statistical analyses were based on the data collected, through survey questionnaire from 259 SMEs in Malaysia. Partial Least Square (PLS) method was used to test the hypotheses. Findings – The study revealed that Facebook usage has a strong positive impact on financial performance of SMEs; similarly it was also found that Facebook usage positively impacts the non-financial performance of SMEs in terms of cost reduction on marketing and customer service, improved customer relations and improved information accessibility. Additionally, factors such as compatibility, cost effectiveness and interactivity was identified as factors that influence Facebook usage among SMEs. Research limitations/implications – This study is limited in selection of samples. The sample only covered one community of SME in Malaysia which limits generalizability of the findings. This study provided a clearer idea on the real importance of Facebook and its benefits. The results would motivate and guide organizations in the adoption of Facebook for business activities. The study also has various theoretical and practical contributions. Originality/value – Very few empirical studies investigated the actual impact of Facebook usage among organizations. This study investigated the effect of Facebook usage on the financial performance of the organizations which is really important to study as it reveals the exact value of using Facebook for business activities.


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