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Factors that Influence Expatriate Failure: An Interview Study
Hung-Wen Lee |
403 |
Factors that Influence Expatriate Failure: An Interview Study
Hung-Wen Lee
National Chiayi University, Taiwan
There are problems with assessing expatriate failure by the single measure of premature return. To achieve a wider focus on the issue, the present study conducted semi-structured interviews with four subjects with expatriate experience as well as a survey of 17 subjects, also with suitable experience, on the topic of expatriate success or failure. An inability on the part of the expatriate family to adjust to the foreign environment was the main determinant of expatriate failure. It is argued from the results that recognition on the part of those in charge that there are more appropriate measures of expatriate failure--than simply premature return--may change the way the reasons for expatriate failure are perceived. Given that the reasons for expatriate failure tended to be the same, the role of the home company has increased as a contributor toward expatriate failure. Organizations need to be aware of their role as well as the importance of the spouse and family in managing expatriate assignments effectively.
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An Empirical Assessment of an Alternative Model of the Information Technology-Assisted Marketing Organization
Joseph N. Roge |
414 |
An Empirical Assessment of an Alternative Model of the Information Technology-Assisted Marketing Organization
Joseph N. Roge
University of Texas Pan American
While Good and Stone’s [12] model of the IT-assisted marketing organization posits an indirect link between information technology (IT) assisted communications and IT-supported decision-making, this research presents theory for, evidence of, and argues that there is a direct relationship between these two constructs. Although marginal support for Good and Stone’s work has been found in a replication study [27], an examination of the literature cited in the original study cast doubts on the model. Furthermore, an exhaustive literature review uncovered evidence for a direct link that is more convincing. Given that corrections to a model’s theoretical basis may suggest results that call earlier findings into question, an updated model of the IT-assisted marketing organization is presented. Testing revealed an excellent fit for a model that discounts the original indirect link, based on relatively weak theoretical support, and instead promotes a direct link that is strongly supported by the literature. Overall, the results offer continued support for the generally robust nature of Good and Stone’s work. Rather than calling earlier findings into question, corrections to the theoretical basis of the model offer essential support for the general contention that IT integrates marketing operations and strategy over time.
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The Organizational Life Cycle as a Determinant of Strategic Alliance Tactics: Research Propositions
Yong-Sik Hwang, Seung Ho Park |
427 |
The Organizational Life Cycle as a Determinant of Strategic Alliance Tactics: Research Propositions
Yong-Sik Hwang
Sejong University, Korea
Seung Ho Park
Samsung Economic Research Institute, Beijing, China
This study investigates the determinant of strategic alliances according to an organizational life cycle framework. We suggest a different pattern of alliance formation and objectives across life cycle stages. The life cycle is characterized by four major stages: conception and development, commercialization, growth and stability stage. During the conception and development stage, alliance formation decisions will be framed in the context of accessing the capital resource and R&D activities. During the commercialization stage, alliances that concentrate on marketing, manufacturing and distribution are most likely to be successful. During the growth stage, alliance formation decisions will be framed in finding alliance partners that fit their asset specificity requirements and similar strategic scopes in order to achieve efficiency. During the stability stage, alliance formation decisions should be framed in the context of seeking alliance partners with complementary resources in order to gain diverse knowledge.
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Determinants of Information System Usage in Public Service Organizations: A Structural Equation Investigation
Helaiel Almutairi |
436 |
Determinants of Information System Usage in Public Service Organizations: A Structural Equation Investigation
Helaiel Almutairi
Kuwait University, Kuwait
This paper investigated the determinants of the use of information systems (IS) by government ministry employees in Kuwait, using structural equation modelling. The effects of seven factors on such usage were investigated (age, tenure, IS training, IS expertise, education, anxiety, and organizational support). The results suggested that IS Usage comprises, or is made up of, three factors; SW Usage, Usage of IS in tasks, and Frequency-Volume of IS Usage. The findings show that organizational support is related to Task IS and Freque-Volum IS Usage. IS experience was found to be related to Freque-Volum IS Usage and to SW Usage, whereas IS training was only related to SW Usage.
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Determinants of Governance Structure among Companies: A Test of Agency Theory Predictions
Steven A.Frankforter, James H. Davis, David A.Vollrath, Vanessa Hill |
454 |
Determinants of Governance Structure among Companies: A Test of Agency Theory Predictions
Steven A. Frankforter
Winthrop University
James H. Davis
University of Notre Dame
David A. Vollrath
University South Bend
Vanessa Hill
University of Louisiana
This study tests the model of Davis, Schoorman, and Donaldson (1997) that proposed determinants of a company’s governance structure. In particular, we focus on the agency theory aspects of the model and its ability to predict the presence of an opportunist-orientation CEO at publicly listed U.S. companies. Using survey based data obtained from CEOs and directors of 100 companies in a match-pair design, we identified three variables that predicted the occurrence of agency-oriented behaviors by the company’s CEO. These results lend support for the model’s ability to predict the conditions under which opportunists become CEOs.
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The Effect of Investment in Information Technology on the Performance of Firms in the Rubber Industry
Chin-Yueh Huang |
463 |
The Effect of Investment in Information Technology on the Performance of Firms in the Rubber Industry
Chin-Yueh Huang
Chinese Culture University, Taiwan
The paper examines the effectiveness of IT investment leading towards favorable business results. The data shows that ease of use, frequency and length of use, and company culture and attitudes of employees towards IT affects the company’s performance. The results of this study, besides testing the instrument for assessing IS variables in the context of a developing economy, land support to prior research findings. User satisfaction with IS had a significant impact on performance. The direct impact of IT investment on performance was not detected. This study found an indirect effect of investment in IT on performance. Many other IS variables did affect performance.
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Use of Leadership and Differentiation Strategies by Professional Service Firms: A Case Study
Wei-Ming Ou, Kang-Wei Chai |
477 |
Use of Leadership and Differentiation Strategies by Professional Service Firms: A Case Study
Wei-Ming Ou
Shih Chien University, Taiwan
Kang-Wei Chai
Far East University, Taiwan
Strategic researchers have paid little attention to professional service firms. This paper provides a strategic analysis of a professional service firm. Using Porter’s Five Forces Model as a framework, two strategies are recommended for such firms, in usual circumstances; cost leadership and differentiation. It is argued, from an analysis of a large consulting firm in Taiwan that managers in such firms often need to improve their project management capabilities and enhance their corporate reputation. To improve operational effectiveness, it is recommended that managers strip safety time from every task during the early stages and get rid of unreported early finishes, and insert a project buffer at the final stage to protect the project. Moreover, clear descriptions of what the firm does and how it adds value for clients should be provided, as a marketing tool to differentiate the firm from its competitors. It is hoped that these lessons will prove useful to managers in the area.
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The Development of a Model to Explain Group Decision-Making Processes: An Application of Fuzzy Methodology
Chin-Hung Liu, Hsin-Hung Wu |
489 |
The Development of a Model to Explain Group Decision-Making Processes: An Application of Fuzzy Methodology
Chin-Hung Liu
National Chinyi Institute of Technology, Taiwan
Hsin-Hung Wu
National Changhua University of Education, Taiwan
A model is developed, using fuzzy methodology, to explain group decision-making in Quality Function Deployment (QFD), where the members have optimistic attitudes towards the result of the decision-making process. An example is provided, as well as the appropriate computational procedures, to show the usefulness of the proposed model in explaining group-decision-making processes in QFD, when the information is imprecise and the members have optimistic attitudes toward the outcome of the processes.
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Toward an Understanding of the Product Variety Decision: An Integrative Model
Lifang Wu |
499 |
Toward an Understanding of the Product Variety Decision: An Integrative Model
Lifang Wu
Xavier University
In recent years product variety management has been a popular topic in business management. In this paper, we present a marketing-operations integrative framework for dealing with complex product variety decisions where dynamic supply and demand impacts are both considered. Our framework specifically focuses on a few critical cost and revenue factors such as increased mismatch between supply and demand due to variety increase. Our simplified structure allows for straightforward understanding and in-depth model development. We discuss the existing techniques for cost and revenue modeling and provide an example for framework application. The paper is concluded with future research directions in the field.
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Managing Crises: Lessons for Managers from the SARS Outbreak in China
Dave Flynn, Janet Lenaghan |
505 |
Managing Crises: Lessons for Managers from the SARS Outbreak in China
Dave Flynn
Hofstra University
Janet Lenaghan
Hofstra University
An examination of the events and responses surrounding the SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) crisis provides a context to analyze crisis management strategy. Herein, we suggest that organizations need to expand the breadth of crisis management to respond proactively to an array of potential threats. Herein, we also introduce an integrative construct, Threshold of Security, as a model for corporate action.
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Performance Appraisal Systems in Service and Manufacturing Industries: Evidence from Taiwan
Chen-Ming Chu, Dar-Hsin Chen |
512 |
Performance Appraisal Systems in Service and Manufacturing Industries: Evidence from Taiwan
Chen-Ming Chu
Chung Yuan Christian University, Taiwan
Dar-Hsin Chen
National Taipei University, Taiwan
In recent years, the service industry in Taiwan has achieved rapid growth, not only in terms of productivity but also in the percentage of the labor employed as compared with the manufacturing industry and has become Taiwan’s largest industry. Based on empirical data derived from 328 questionnaires, 125 from the service industry and 203 from the manufacturing industry, this study is aimed at exploring the differences in performance appraisal systems between these two industries. The results show that the service industry pays more attention to administration, while manufacturing industry emphasizes development more. The service industry is also more concerned about quantitative criteria, while the manufacturing industry emphasizes qualitative ones. These implications of these findings for mangers in these two kinds of industries are discussed.
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The Effect of Financial Independence on the Performances of Life Companies: An Empirical Study
Ho-Li Yang |
522 |
The Effect of Financial Independence on the Performances of Life Companies: An Empirical Study
Ho-Li Yang
National United University, Taiwan
The study examines the effect of financial independence on the performance of life insurance companies in Taiwan, since the Financial Holdings Law came into effect in June 2002. Financially dependent companies are regarded as those which are owned (are part of) holding companies, independent companies are regarded as those which are still owned by themselves, have not joined such holding companies. At the time of the study there were 13 companies that were independent by this criterion (still in the evaluation phase) and 3 companies that were dependent, having joined financial holding companies. This research compares the financial performance (calculated with FA) and the non-financial performance (calculated with DEA) of the two groups of companies. Neither the improvement in the financial nor the non-financial performance of the dependant companies relative to the independent companies over the period of the study was significant (p>.05). This suggests that the performance of life insurance companies may not be improved by them joining financial holding companies.
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Managerial Perspectives on Emotional Intelligence Differences Between India and the United States: The Development of Research Propositions
Aarthi Ilangovan, Wesley A. Scroggins, Elizabeth J. Rozell |
541 |
Managerial Perspectives on Emotional Intelligence Differences Between India and the United States: The Development of Research Propositions
Aarthi Ilangovan
Missouri State University
Wesley A. Scroggins
Missouri State University
Elizabeth J. Rozell
Missouri State University
This paper is a theoretical investigation into the effects of cultural differences on emotional intelligence levels of Americans and Indians working for American firms in the United States. The cultural dimensions defined by Hofstede and the emotional intelligence model conceptualized by Goleman are used to develop propositions about the dimensions of emotional intelligence that might be affected by specific dimensions of the culture of India and United States. Culturally related differences in emotional intelligence are likely to have implications for the management of culturally diverse individuals, especially in certain work contexts. Implications for practicing managers and directions for future research are discussed.
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The Effects of Entrepreneurial Orientation and Knowledge Management Capability on Organizational Effectiveness in Taiwan: The Moderating Role of Social Capital
Les Tien-Shang Lee, Badri Munir Sukoco |
549 |
The Effects of Entrepreneurial Orientation and Knowledge Management Capability on Organizational Effectiveness in Taiwan: The Moderating Role of Social Capital
Les Tien-Shang Lee
Kun Shan University, Taiwan
Badri Munir Sukoco
Airlangga University, Indonesia
This study investigates the effects of entrepreneurial orientation and knowledge management capabilities on innovation, competence upgrading and organizational effectiveness among companies in Taiwan, listed in the Top 1000 Firms. The study also examines whether social capital moderates the effects of orientation and knowledge on effectiveness. It was found that entrepreneurial orientation has a positive influence on the capability of organization to manage their knowledge, on new product or process innovation, on the upgrading of their competence as well as on organizational effectiveness. Furthermore, knowledge management capabilities have a significant impact on innovation and organizational effectiveness. Finally, social capital moderates the effect on entrepreneurial orientation and knowledge management capabilities on the dependent variables. It is argued that these findings have practical implications for business practitioners and academics. The limitations of the study as well as directions for further research are also discussed.
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Impact of Venture Capital on Board Composition and Ownership Structure of Companies: An Empirical Study
Dwan-Fang Sheu, Hui-Shan Lin |
573 |
Impact of Venture Capital on Board Composition and Ownership Structure of Companies: An Empirical Study
Dwan-Fang Sheu
Takming College, Taiwan
Hui-Shan Lin
Deloitte, Taiwan
This study investigates the role of venture capital (VC) on the board composition and ownership structure of companies making Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) on the Taiwan Stock Market between 2001 and 2003. The study compared the board composition and ownership structure of VC-backed and non VC-backed firms in the Information Technology sector. Results of the study suggest that VC firms focus their investments by providing intensive monitoring service, and allow or enable greater independence with regard to board composition and ownership structure. From these results it is argued that investment by venture capitalists is related to a more independent governance structure and a higher degree of information transparency.
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Effects of Government Regulations, Market Orientation and Ownership Structure on Corporate Social Responsibility in China: An Empirical Study
Riliang Qu |
582 |
Effects of Government Regulations, Market Orientation and Ownership Structure on Corporate Social Responsibility in China: An Empirical Study
Riliang Qu
Aston University, England
Previous research on corporate social responsibility mainly focuses on its nature and impact on business performance. This paper reports on a study that contributes to our understanding of the determinants of corporate social responsibility by focusing specifically on the role played by three strategically important variables, namely government regulation, ownership structure and market orientation. Results of a survey of 586 general managers of hotels in China suggest that the market orientation is the most significant predicator of corporate social responsibility followed by government regulation. In contrast, the ownership structure is found to have little effect. The implications of the findings for managers in China are discussed.
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Resources and Strategy in Strategic Management: An Experimental Investigation
G. Titi Oladunjoye, Godwin Onyeaso |
592 |
Resources and Strategy in Strategic Management: An Experimental Investigation
G. Titi Oladunjoye
Albany State University
Godwin Onyeaso
Concordia College
According to Jay Barney, resources and capabilities are the core of the resource-based view (RBV) of strategic management. However, the difference between resources and capabilities remains controversial among strategic management scholars. This study uses a classroom experiment to test for the difference between resources and capabilities to students. In a nutshell, the results of the experiment suggest that: (a) resources and capabilities are different constructs, (b) inter-group (inter-organizational) differences in capabilities is the major determinant of inter-group (inter-organizational) difference in performance, and (c) active participation of students in classroom experiments is a teaching tool that enhances students’ knowledge of key strategic management constructs such as resources and capabilities. These findings suggest that strategic management professors should use classroom experiments as separate or complementary teaching tools to enhance students’ knowledge of strategic management concepts.
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A Dynamic Model to Explain the Bribery Behavior of Firms
Shaomin Li, Ming Ouyang |
605 |
A Dynamic Model to Explain the Bribery Behavior of Firms
Shaomin Li
Old Dominion University
Ming Ouyang
University of Windsor
Most studies on corruption have focused on corrupt officials but not on the bribing firms, and tended to be static. We propose a dynamic model to explain the bribery behavior of firms considering three factors: the macro regulatory environment, firm behavior, and the inter-firm competition in bribing. We show that, first, if the level of corruption in a society is significantly greater than zero, regardless of how clean (anti-bribing) a firm is, the environment will force the firm to bribe. Second, if the combined self-restraint from bribing by all firms is greater than the combined motivation to bribe by all firms, then the level of corruption is manageable; otherwise, the level of corruption escalates rapidly. Third, a firm’s effort in bribing or anti-bribing may have a multiplicative effect and can significantly change the bribing momentum in a society.
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