Ethiopian conflict may intensify rather than ease

Emerald Expert Briefings ◽

10.1108/oxan-db264444 ◽

2021 ◽

Keyword(s):

Debt Restructuring ◽

Content Type ◽

High Inflation ◽

Near Term ◽

Ruling Party ◽

Regional Governments

Significance Although Demeke also referenced the possibility of resolving Ethiopia’s conflicts through a national dialogue, the government’s wider rhetoric and military build-up instead signal a likely intensification of the conflict over the near term. Impacts The humanitarian situation will deteriorate further, with famine likely in Tigray and parts of northern Amhara. The economy will continue to face tremendous pressure from high inflation, forex shortages and debt restructuring challenges. The ruling party may try to bring some opposition figures into national and regional governments in a nod to inclusivity.

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Argentina's domestic woes dictate diplomatic prudence

Emerald Expert Briefings ◽

10.1108/oxan-db250500 ◽

2020 ◽

Keyword(s):

Foreign Policy ◽

Foreign Trade ◽

Considerable Influence ◽

Debt Restructuring ◽

International Context ◽

Content Type ◽

Economic Relations ◽

Near Term ◽

Foreign Ministry ◽

The Imf

Significance Fernandez is currently focusing diplomatic efforts on garnering support for a major debt restructuring proposal which is to be launched next month and requires the backing of the IMF and creditors. With debt and investment areas of key concern, the foreign ministry has recovered considerable influence over economic relations and foreign trade. Impacts Failure to show results on debt and investment could undermine efforts to pursue a pragmatic foreign policy. Debt talks are likely to advance but investment will be slow to follow. The international context will be largely unfavourable to Argentina in the near term at least.

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New Taiwan opposition leader could ease China tension

Emerald Expert Briefings ◽

10.1108/oxan-db264592 ◽

2021 ◽

Keyword(s):

Xi Jinping ◽

Charismatic Leader ◽

Content Type ◽

Cautious Approach ◽

Ruling Party

Significance He is Beijing's preferred candidate and appears to have a cordial relationship with President Xi Jinping. He takes the helm at a moment when relations with China are the tensest they have been in more than a decade. Impacts Chu will stick to the '1992 Consensus' that there is only one China. Chu will take a more cautious approach to cross-Strait cooperation than Taiwan's last Kuomintang president, Ma Ying-jeou (2008-16). The task of making the Kuomintang a ruling party again will probably require a more charismatic leader than Chu.

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The new Zambian president faces long-term challenges

Emerald Expert Briefings ◽

10.1108/oxan-db264234 ◽

2021 ◽

Keyword(s):

National Development ◽

Social Costs ◽

Debt Restructuring ◽

Content Type ◽

Fiscal Constraints ◽

Reform Programme ◽

The Social ◽

Voter Suppression ◽

Spending Cuts

Significance Hichilema's surprise win came despite extensive voter suppression and intimidation attributed to former President Edgar Lungu and the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) against supporters of Hichilema’s United Party for National Development (UPND). Impacts The broad scope of Hichilema’s reform programme will pose difficulties of prioritisation, particularly within current fiscal constraints. Higher copper prices may mitigate some of the social costs associated with debt restructuring and spending cuts. The cancellation of a meeting between President Joe Biden and Hichilema over LGBT rights concerns may complicate relations with Washington.

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Angola mounting debt burden raises future default risk

Emerald Expert Briefings ◽

10.1108/oxan-db258931 ◽

2021 ◽

Keyword(s):

World Bank ◽

Default Risk ◽

Content Type ◽

Currency Depreciation ◽

Debt Burden ◽

The World Bank ◽

High Inflation ◽

African Development Bank ◽

Central Bank Autonomy ◽

Domestic Banks

Significance The IMF's willingness to turn a blind eye may enable Angola to retain access to concessional finance over the next 18 months; however, Luanda needs a plan to address deferred principal payments and recapitalise a key escrow account in 2023. Impacts The IMF's latest funding review will unlock USD500mn from the World Bank and USD200mn from the African Development Bank. Persistent IMF pressure for greater central bank autonomy will help curb inflation, which recently reached 25%, pending new legislation. Domestic banks remain vulnerable to economic shocks amid a lengthy recession, persistent high inflation and continued currency depreciation.

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Demobilisation will be a long-term challenge in Libya

Emerald Expert Briefings ◽

10.1108/oxan-db264735 ◽

2021 ◽

Keyword(s):

Oil And Gas ◽

Armed Forces ◽

Armed Groups ◽

Content Type ◽

Near Term ◽

The Many ◽

Financial Arrangements

Significance Although a ceasefire has been in place since October 2020, very little has been done during that time to integrate or demobilise the many armed forces and groups that exist across the country. The obstacles are formidable. Impacts Significant demobilisation and reintegration will not happen in the near term. Local security will continue to rest on fragile political and financial arrangements between armed groups and governing authorities. The current high levels of oil and gas revenue will tend to discourage unrest.

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Multiteam systems as integrated networks for engaging ambidexterity as dynamic capabilities

International Journal of Organization Theory and Behavior ◽

10.1108/ijotb-01-2021-0013 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽

Author(s):

Benjamin P. Dean

Keyword(s):

Dynamic Capabilities ◽

Dynamic Environment ◽

Task Demands ◽

Organizational Level ◽

Future Research ◽

Integrated Networks ◽

Content Type ◽

Systems Model ◽

Near Term

PurposeThis inquiry aims to determine the features and mechanisms that specially enable a multiteam system (MTS) to develop ambidexterity that can deal effectively with rapid changes in dynamic environments. The MTS is an emerging organizational unit comprised of tightly integrated networks of teams that may originate from one or more firms. The inquiry also considered how an MTS can engage those features and mechanisms to maximize ambidexterity as dynamic capabilities for increased innovation and long-term adaptation under complex, volatile conditions.Design/methodology/approachThis conceptual inquiry integrates the emerging research on MTSs with theory and studies relating to ambidexterity and dynamic capabilities. This inquiry focuses on the attributes and linkages that specially characterize an MTS. It analyzes these to determine the key mechanisms and interactions enabling and engaging ambidexterity at MTS unit level.FindingsMTSs can engage powerful mechanisms for ambidexterity functioning as dynamic capabilities at meso-organizational level. The attributes and linkages that distinguish an MTS from other units enable it to deal effectively and efficiently with near-term task demands by simultaneously balancing the essential tasks of exploration and exploitation, and by being able to rapidly adapt by reconfiguring taskwork and reallocating resources as required for sustainable innovation and long-term success within a dynamic environment.Practical implicationsThis inquiry provides valuable insights for designing MTSs that are equipped with selected teams, flexible memberships, specialized skills and permeable interfaces. Autonomy for an MTS allows the unit to span internal and external organizational boundaries to gain access to new discoveries and to exchange information and material resources for increased innovation. Ambidexterity as dynamic capabilities facilitates exploitation of current resources by efficiently reconfiguring taskwork and reallocating materials for adaptation and competitive advantage.Originality/valueThis inquiry appears to represent the most integrative effort to examine the underexplored potential of MTSs for developing and engaging ambidexterity functioning as dynamic capabilities. The inquiry appears to be a first effort at articulating a concept of MTS ambidexterity distinct from organizational ambidexterity. The analysis synthesizes a systems model that guides organizational leaders and opens new opportunities for future research.

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Import obstacles will slow Argentine economic rebound

Emerald Expert Briefings ◽

10.1108/oxan-db260049 ◽

2021 ◽

Keyword(s):

Spillover Effect ◽

Exchange Market ◽

Luxury Goods ◽

Content Type ◽

Product Availability ◽

Regulatory Changes ◽

High Inflation ◽

Red Tape ◽

The Government

Significance In January, the Central Bank of Argentina restricted access to the official exchange market for imports of some luxury goods, while the government asked companies to present their foreign trade estimates for 2021 and suggested that it would not approve any rise in imports unless this was offset with higher exports. Importers are facing mounting delays, which raise costs and hamper domestic production by restricting access to inputs. Impacts Higher import costs due to red-tape delays and shortages of product availability will fuel already high inflation. Frequent regulatory changes will discourage long-term investments and damage importers’ relations with foreign suppliers. Import controls will hit the auto sector hard, with a negative spillover effect in manufacturing more broadly.

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