Learning and innovation of Chinese firms along the paths of “Bring In” to “Go Global”

Over the past several decades, the “Bring In” and “Go Global” policies implemented in China have encouraged an unprecedented level of investment in and out of the country, creating unique opportunities for Chinese firms to learn and innovate along the paths of inward and outward internationalization. The international business (IB) literature has yet to satisfactorily explain what has been learnt by the Chinese firms and whether and how their learning and innovation have taken place over time. This special issue examines the specific content, nature, mechanisms, processes, and internal and external conditions and contexts of learning and innovation of Chinese firms during the course of inward and outward internationalization. We provide an overview of the “Bring In” and “Go Global” policies, assess the current state of the field, and explicate how the research articles in the special issue contribute to the understanding of learning and innovation of Chinese firms along the paths of inward and outward internationalization.     

“A little competition goes a long way”: Substitutive effects of emotional intelligence and workplace competition on salesperson creative selling

Marketing Letters - Despite receiving significant attention in the popular press, the topic of creative selling remains underexamined in the sales literature. The current research helps to correct...     

How Can Companies Go Global? Global Integrators and the Global Mindset

Companies continue to look for better and faster ways to globalise. Organisation researchers have not yet identified the many possible integrators for globalising a company, particularly those which are most powerful. This study examines the literature relative to globalisation and presents the results of a survey of senior managers/HRD professionals of 20 global companies in Asia, Europe and the Americas     

Neighbors and the evolution of the comparative advantage of nations: Evidence of international knowledge diffusion?

The literature on knowledge diffusion shows that knowledge decays strongly with distance. In this paper we document that the probability that a product is added to a country's export basket is, on average, 65% larger if a neighboring country is a successful exporter of that same product. For existing products, growth of exports in a country is 1.5% higher per annum if it has a neighbor with comparative advantage in these products. While these results could be driven by a common third factor that escapes our controls, they align with our expectations of the localized character of knowledge diffusion.     

Comparative analysis of innovative diffusion in the high-tech markets of Japan and South Korea: a use–diffusion model approach

In recent years, many scholars and practitioners have raised doubt as to whether or not conventional research on the diffusion of innovation can explain and predict the needs and behavioral patterns of consumers in the raiding and converging market environment. Thus, it has been suggested that the use–diffusion model would be a good alternative framework to study innovation diffusion. This study explores whether the new model is effective in explaining and predicting the needs and innovative behavioral patterns of consumers in the Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) market in Japan and South Korea. Nation-wide surveys were conducted in Japan and South Korea for data collection, resulting in a large random sample (n = 500 in Japan and n = 500 in South Korea). Important findings of the study are: (1) product experience and sophistication of technology were found to be the most important factors in explaining the innovative diffusion process among IPTV users; (2) functional similarity, complementarity, and substitution effect were also main determinants for enhancing users’ satisfaction with IPTV services; (3) complexity and relative advantage were crucial measures of IPTV’s current technological level, functional performance, and quality with regard to services; and (4) a comparative analysis of diffusion patterns of IPTV between Japan and South Korea indicated that IPTV users in Japan appeared to be still in the phase of early adopters, while South Korean users have gone beyond to the phase of early majority in the adoption cycle.     

How much does KIBS contribute to the generation and diffusion of innovation?

This article aims to estimate the contribution of KIBS to the innovation system. Data on innovation gathered from national and European databases are analyzed using a methodology based on an input–output framework to estimate the drive for innovation in the Spanish economy and the contribution of KIBS. KIBS are found to be crucial to both the creation and diffusion of innovation. From among the four classifications of sectors analyzed herein, KIBS is found to be the only significant net generator of innovation.     

Is “proof” the Eighth “P” of Service? A Conceptual Model and Propositions

The article aims at making a conceptual contribution to services marketing literature by proposing an eighth “P” called “proof.” Proof is a simple operational measure or an intuitive indicator that helps the customer quickly assess the efficacy of a service. The article discusses services marketing literature and develops propositions that underscore the importance of proof as the eighth P. When proof is provided about a service to the customer, it affects all service outcomes (i.e., service evaluation, purchase intent, customer satisfaction, and repurchase intent). Though conceptual, the article provides practical implications as well.     

Java and object standardization in the Internet – A way to more competition in the software industry?

The computer software market is a textbook example of network externalities: if a user decides to work with a specific program, the utility of all other users of the same product increases. This increase in utility is not compensated for by the market; thus one speaks of network externalities. Such network externalities lead to a natural tendency towards quasi standardization, favoring a high market concentration on the supply side. This article demonstrates that Java programs combined with an appropriate object standardization may reduce the influence of the network externalities, giving smaller companies a better chance to compete successfully. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The price competition becomes more and more fierce why is the price of the economical car reduced？

After walking through the uproar of the first half of the year, China‘s economical car market is still not calm, and the price competition continues to be fierce.     

“Effective competition” in telecommunications,rail and energy markets

Forum

“Effective competition” in telecommunications, rail and energy markets     

Watch for Global Finance and Exchange the Transformation of the World Top Ten Financial Personages from Home and Abroad Receive the Rewards

On Oct.12, the 4th Beijing Chaoyang Internatienal Business Festival (BCIBF) closes with “Awarding Ceremony of the” Top Ten Financial Personages from home and abroad. Nearly halfof them, who were voted by International Finance News and People‘s Daily Online, came for their rewards.     

The Role of Local Context in Headquarters–Subsidiaries Relationships: A Global Analysis of the Literature

This study reviews the literature on multinational corporations’ headquarters–subsidiaries relationships, focusing on the role of the local context and its influence on subsidiaries in developed and emerging markets or countries. The author searched the literature using several terms directly related to these issues. The findings demonstrate that subsidiaries can only operate successfully in foreign locations by adjusting their policies to fit into the local environment because there are multiple contexts. Multinational corporations manage the local context by integrating their home behavior and that of the subsidiaries’ operating environments. A framework for identifying and managing different local contexts is proposed.     

Born to be similar? Global isomorphism and the emergence of latecomer business schools

By building on insights from institutional isomorphism, this paper investigates the development paths of latecomer business schools in Hong Kong, (South) Korea, Singapore, and Taiwan. The global isomorphic pressure prevalent in higher education (e.g. the global regime of rankings) drives latecomers to imitate the practices of incumbents in order to enhance their academic impact through business and management research. Our study argues that latecomers respond to global isomorphism by forging their own paths. Our analysis shows that business knowledge production in Hong Kong and Singapore was more responsive to coercive (research strategy) and normative (faculty recruitment strategy) isomorphic pressure than Korea and Taiwan. The response to mimetic isomorphic pressure (co-authorship strategy) was less salient in Hong Kong and Taiwan than in Singapore and Korea. Further, we find that research, faculty recruitment, and co-authorship strategies affect the academic impact (citations) of the higher education institutions across each country differently. Our study sheds new light on the role of global isomorphism in the emergence of latecomer business schools.     

Global Champions in Waiting ——Prospects and challenges of Chinese Automobile firms M＆A activities on the world stage

In recent years, Chinese companies have accelerated their global activities in line with China＇s ascent as a major economic power. While some Chinesecompanies globalize organically, many others have pursued mergers and acquisitions （M＆A） to accelerate their global presence. High-profile deals such the SAIC＇s 50.6% acquisition of Korea＇s Ssangyong in 2004, Nanjing Auto Group purchased British auto company MG in 2006, and more recent Geely Automobile Holdings acquire＇ Australia＇s Drivetrain Systems Interna- tional, or DSI, the world＇s second largest auto transmission supplier in 2009, have introduced the world to a new generation of Chinese companies with aspirations to be global competitors. Under the circumstance of global financial crisis, as vehicles sales slump and companies burn through cash, many players in automobile industry are confronting cost pressure and tighter access to credit. As a result, many distressed assets are potentially up for sale. This also means opportunities for Chinese automobile players with international expansion to jump onto the global stage.     

Consumers and the internal market for services: Shortcomings of the “new approach” of the Community

The paper discusses the new approach of the Community in the area of services, namely the principle that every service — like every good — should be allowed to circulate freely in the entire Internal Market provided it meets the standards of EEC law and of the country of origin. There are some exceptions to this principle, especially in the insurance area (market segregation in the industry's interest). The paper points out that the new approach might endanger consumer protection of Member States unless adequate standards of the receiving country exist. ECLG makes a number of suggestions to overcome the lacunae left by the new approach, especially by opting for minimal harmonisation, by applying rules of private internal law under the Rome Convention, and by providing for safeguard clauses.

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Verbraucher und Binnenmarkt für Dienstleistungen: Mängel der sog. neuen Konzeption der Gemeinschaft

Zusammenfassung Die Gemeinschaft versucht in Vewirklichung der Grundfreiheiten des durch die Einheitliche Akte geänderten EWG-Vertrages die Vollendung des Binnenmarktes auch im Dienstleistungsbereich. Dabei sind unterschiedliche Herangehensweisen denkbar, nämlich das Prinzip der Minimalharmonisierung, die Marktsegmentierung oder die sog. neue Konzeption. Letztere findet sich vor allem im Banken- und Rundfunkbereich; dancah soll es für den Marktzutritt im gesamten Binnenmarkt ausreichen, daß die (angeglichenen) Standards des Ursprungslandes eingehalten werden. Die ECLG befürchtet einen Abbau des Verbraucherschutzes bei einer konsequenten Durchführung dieses Prinzips und macht Gegenvorschläge. Diese beziehen sich auf eine verstärkte Durchsetzung des Prinzips der Minimalharmonisierung, auf die Notwendigkeit der Anwendung der Regeln des Internationalen Privatrechts nach dem Römischen Schuldrechtsübereinkommen von 1980, und durch Verankerung von Schutzklauseln.

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The European Consumer Law Group (ECLG) is a group of lawyers and law scholars in the EEC and EFTA countries, concerned with legal aspects of consumer protection. Correspondence regarding the paper should be directed to: Professor Norbert Reich, Centre for European Legal Policy, Universitätsallee GW 1, D-2800 Bremen 33, Federal Republic of Germany.     

“A healthy outside starts from the inside”: A matter of sustainable consumption behavior in Italy and Pakistan

The aim of this research is to determine people's motives when purchasing organic food and how these motives are moderated by price sensitivity and ethical concerns in a cross-cultural setting. A highly structured questionnaire was used to collect the data from 673 Italian and 594 Pakistani consumers, using the convenience sampling technique. Based on the etic research approach, the measurement invariance tests were performed, and data were analyzed using structural equation modeling. The results indicate that environmental concerns and health-consciousness are significant predictors of subjective norms and purchase attitudes among Italian consumers. Food safety concern proved the strongest predictor of purchase attitude and perceived behavioral control among Pakistani consumers. The results also confirm the moderating role of ethical concerns and price sensitivity in buying organic food in both cultures. In terms of originality, this study fills significant gaps in the literature, particularly regarding the roles of attitude, behavioral control, and subjective norms in consumer buying motives and purchasing intentions in cross-cultural studies but more importantly, the results validate that consumer concerns across the globe are related to the Sustainability Development Goals and the U.N. 2030 agenda, which aptly provides a blue print for the development and developmental goals and concerns across nations.     

Goal of "Qingqi Motor"A Would-be Global Group

QingqiMotor″beganitsexporteffortsin1988,withasmallvolumeofsamplemotors.In1991,thecorporationwontheautonomyofimportandexport,makingitsexportearningsgrowrapidlyandbecomingoneofthe500largestenterprisesnationwide.ExportearningsofUS$15millionandUS$20.58millionin1995and1996enabledthecorporationtorank1stinthesectornationwide.EnteringtheinternationalmarketisourstrategicgoalandmotivationofourprogressDevelopinganoverseasmarketandparticipatingininternationalcompetitionistheonlywaytogrowstronger.Forma…     

A study of Hong Kong Businessmen's perceptions of the role “Guanxi” in the People's Republic of China

Guanxi is perceived as a major determinant for successful business in China. This research paper investigates the importance of Guanxi from the Hong Kong Businessmen's viewpoint. It confirms previous findings in this area and adds on new dimensions. Therefore, practitioners and academics may further refine their knowledge in this subject.Leung, T. K. P. is an Assistant Professor of Hong Kong Polytechnic University. He specializes in industrial marketing and marketing in China. His current research interests include issues in Guanxi, networking in China, and Chinese negotiation. He has published in referred journals related to the PRC market.Wong, Y. H. is an Assistant Professor at Hong Kong Polytechnic University. He teaches courses in sales management and international marketing. His current research focuses on issues of relationship marketing and Guanxi model. His recent publications include articles in preferred journal and books.Wong, Syson was a lecturer of Hong Kong Polytechnic University and is now a business consultant. She specializes in quantitative methods and China business. Her current consultancy works include a big project in China.