Interfirm collaboration and exchange relationships: An agenda for future research

Interfirm collaboration and exchange relationships are fundamental to how value is created, managed, and exchanged between firms. In this paper we first identify three major research themes (nature, governance, and outcomes) that existing research has focused on and then propose three structural shifts (technology, platforms, and globalization) that might influence nature, governance, and outcomes associated with interfirm collaboration. We also synthesize a research agenda for the future and develop multiple research propositions that might become the foundation to integrate the structural shifts into research on interfirm collaboration. We provide guidance on how existing theories can help scholars address new research questions arising due to the structural shifts. Finally, we provide insights to managers on the type of data that they need to access to make more effective decisions related to interfirm collaboration in a dynamic business environment.     

Sustaining relationships after opportunism and misunderstanding: the role of formalization and socialization

This study compares the effects of governance mechanisms on relationship continuity in the aftermath of exchange interruptions in interfirm relationships. We propose that cooperative relationships can be renewed by matching governance mechanisms (formalization or socialization) to specific types of exchange interruptions (opportunism and misunderstanding). Using data collected from two types of senior managers in 304 buyer firms in China (a total of 608 senior managers), we found that the effects of formalization and socialization on relationship continuity are contingent on exchange interruption type. Socialization is more effective than formalization in renewing relationships when the level of opportunism is high, while formalization works better than socialization when the level of misunderstanding is high. Based on our findings, we encourage firms to diagnose exchange interruption types and then choose a proper governance structure.     

Perceived cultural congruence’s influence on employed communication strategies and resultant performance: a transitional economy international joint venture illustration

Employing effective communication strategies is critical for international joint ventures (IJVs) operating in economies in transition. Theory suggests perceived cultural congruence enhances the effectiveness of communication in international relationships. The influence of perceived national culture congruence on the communication strategies (frequency, modality, direction and content) employed by an IJV partner and its influence on self-reported IJV performance is examined within a sample of Kazahkstan–foreign IJVs. Findings indicate the more culturally congruent a firm perceives its IJV partner to be, its communications employed become less frequent and more influential in terms of content. Further, results indicate that the more frequent and more formalized communication strategies employed by an IJV partner, the greater IJV partner’s self-reported IJV performance. Implications and directions for future research are addressed.     

Institutionalized place branding strategy,interfirm trust,and place branding performance: Evidence from China

This study investigates the relationships among institutionalized place branding strategy, interfirm trust, and place branding performance. Findings indicate that each of the institutionalized place branding strategies (regulatory, normative, and cultural-cognitive) has positive effects on interfirm trust. The relative predictability of these dimensions on interfirm trust also falls into a particular order: Normative is most predictable, followed by cultural-cognitive, then regulatory. Cultural-cognitive strategy can not only directly drive interfirm trust but also negatively moderate the effects of regulatory and normative strategies on interfirm trust. Finally, interfirm trust has a positive effect on place branding performance. These results altogether provide valuable insights into the effect of institutionalized place branding strategies on interfirm trust, which encourages firms to be collaboratively involved in place branding strategies.     

移动通信室内外空间几何信道模型的分析与比较

针对频率非选择性无线多径衰落信道,基于室外通信环境下的空 心圆模型,提出了一种改进的适应于室内通信环境的空心圆模型。通过推导接收信号的空时 联合分布以及边缘分布概率密度函数,分析和比较了两种空心圆几何信道模型的空时统计特 性。通过空心圆的空心率以及收发机间距的信道参数变化,仿真结果阐明了空心圆模型在圆 盘模型和圆环模型之间过渡的变化机理,以及不同无线通信环境下的信道信息。     

Using Information Technology to Promote Multi-Cultural Case Teaching

Abstract

Case studies are an important component of International Business (IB) courses. However, in-class discussion of case studies suffers from temporal and spatial limitations and, frequently, the limitation of being confined to a single cultural perspective. The development of new forms of Computer-Mediated Communication (such as email, chat rooms, threaded computer conferences, etc.) offers new possibilities to overcome these constraints. Synchronous (same-time) communication via chat rooms or desktop video-conferences may include participants from remote locations who otherwise would be unable to attend class sessions. Non-simultaneous (asynchronous) communication via e-mail and/or threaded discussion conferences can complement traditional in-class discussions and extend the learning environment beyond the assigned classroom meeting times. These new communication possibilities can enable instructors and students from different countries and zones to participate in case discussions and to enrich the cultural dimension of such discussions. This paper presents a framework to classify the different strategies for improving case study discussion with the use of Computer-Mediated Communications and enriching such discussions with the integration of different cultural perspectives.     

Hospital Positioning and Integrated Hospital Marketing Communications: State-of-the-Art Review,Conceptual Framework,and Research Agenda

In the light of patient empowerment and channel fragmentation, hospitals struggle to target patients in their new role as active, knowledgeable consumers. As market differentiation via traditional marketing mix variables such as price is hardly achievable in healthcare, superior communication grounded on sound positioning is a more promising lever for competitive advantage. Yet, research on marketing-driven communication from provider to patient lacks synthesis and critical reflection. Drawing upon evidence from previous research, this article unites 62 articles from medical and social sciences covering aspects of hospital marketing communications. Derived from qualitative content analysis, findings on the effectiveness of specific communication channels and contents are portrayed. This article further uncovers the characteristics of four evolving archetypes for hospital positioning and illustrates the implementation of integrated hospital marketing communication strategy. The elaborated conceptual framework can be used as a managerial tool for tailoring hospital communications. The article closes by highlighting future research directives.     

The Impact of Relation-Specific Investments on Channel Performance: Focusing on Mediators

This study investigates the mediating mechanisms through which relation-specific investments (RSIs) can contribute to channel performance in China. We distinguish between property-based RSIs and knowledge-based RSIs and propose that these two types of RSIs rely on different governance mechanisms to impact channel performance. Specifically, although property-based RSIs prompt the drafting and utilization of formal contracts, they promote channel performance through relationship communication. In contrast, knowledge-based RSIs enhance relational trust and relationship communication, which can increase the profitability of the channel relationship. However, both types of RSIs can enhance channel performance directly. Our study shows that relationship communication plays an important role in strengthening the effects of governance mechanisms for both types of RSIs in China. In addition, relational governance mechanisms have greater effects than formal contracts on channel performance. These results enrich our understanding of RSIs in the emerging market.     

Cultural distance,political risk,or governance quality? Towards a more accurate conceptualization and measurement of external uncertainty in foreign entry mode research

It is well accepted that multinational enterprises (MNEs) prefer equity joint ventures (JVs) over wholly owned subsidiaries (WOSs) in foreign countries where the formal and informal external environment is highly uncertain. Many entry mode studies have modeled the external uncertainty faced by MNEs in foreign countries as the cultural distance to these countries (thus focusing on the informal environment), or as their political risk level (thus focusing on the formal environment). We argue that both approaches are suboptimal because (1) cultural distance not only reflects the external uncertainty associated with WOSs but also the internal uncertainty associated with JVs, and (2) political risk covers only one aspect of the formal external environment. We contend that the governance quality of foreign countries is a better proxy for external uncertainty. The lower this quality, we hypothesize, the higher the likelihood that MNEs will choose JVs over WOSs. An analysis of 231 entries by Dutch MNEs into 48 countries offers support for this hypothesis. We also find that cultural distance has no impact on entry mode choice and that political risk has the weakest impact of all aspects of governance quality.     

我国家族企业治理结构演进研究

作为家族企业发展的核心问题,我国家族企业治理结构演进路径是以中国传统文化为基础,适当吸收外部企业文化为方向。从"家文化"和"家族泛化"角度分析家族企业制度变迁的文化根基,从资本结构、人力资本、信任结构等方面阐述影响我国家族企业治理结构的主要因素,从企业形态、关系治理和公司治理等维度分析我国家族企业治理结构的演进路径。     

Corporate Governance,Agility, and Survival

Abstract

Most corporate research has focused on (i) dimensions of governance that are relatively easy to measure (e.g., ownership structure, boards of directors, and executive compensation) and (ii) the role that governance arrangements play in mitigating agency costs. This paper takes an evolutionary perspective to corporate governance in which the concept of corporate agility, i.e., the ease with which firms adapt to changes in their respective environments, plays a prominent role. I argue that decentralization, which is understudied in the literature, promotes agility and predict that it is directly related to corporate performance and survival during periods of rapidly changing environments. The paper also discusses how some governance features that often are viewed through the lens of either mitigating or exacerbating agency costs are cast in a different light when their effects on corporate agility are considered.     

The Mediating Role of Communication in Interorganizational Channels

Abstract

The overall objective of this article is to examine the impact of interorganizational channel bureaucratic structure on boundary interpersonal trust. The authors present a model where the bureaucratic structure (viz., formalization, participation and centralization) influences interpersonal communication, which functions as a mediator determining the level of interpersonal trust in the supply chain. The authors conceptualize communication as a multidimensional construct, reflective of both instrumental and social communications. The empirical study, conducted in a farm equipment supply chain, indicates that formalization and participation facilitate whereas centralization inhibits communication, which in turn enhances interpersonal trust. Theoretical and managerial implications as well as directions for further research are discussed at the end of the paper.     

Deadlock in corporate governance: Finding a common strategy for private telephone companies, 1978–1998

This paper looks at how a group of small, incumbent private telephone companies complied with the international convergence of market structures. The existing research has mainly focused on large national incumbents, assuming a transition to multinational enterprise. This development process is often associated with privatisation policies and various institutional factors. The article tests these assumptions using a case study of the network of Finnish local telephone companies. It looks at the development of an interfirm network, its perspectives on the different phases of the deregulation process, and how the network tried to regenerate itself but failed to form a unified corporate structure capable of mounting a common business strategy. The reason for this failure resembles the idea of governance inseparability: private telecom companies were committed to the objectives and form of a tried and trusted cooperation model, which no longer met the requirements of the competitive and increasingly liberalised business environment of the 1990s. This case demonstrates that the significance of both corporate governance and organisational development are, above all, related to the firm’s ability to regenerate itself.     

Transfer of corporate governance practices into weak emerging market environments by foreign institutional investors

We advance the practice transfer theorising of corporate governance (CG) by developing a framework that uncovers how foreign institutional investors (FIIs) improve on CG practices of firms in weak institutional environments. Using hand-collected data for 85 listed Nigerian firms covering the 2011–2016 period, we show that FIIs bypass the weak regulatory environment in emerging markets by transferring good CG standards to host countries. Furthermore, FIIs’ ability to enhance the CG quality of firms in such environments is moderated by their home country’s legal system, with FIIs from countries with strong legal enforcement having an enhanced ability to improve CG practices of firms in weak institutional environments. However, cultural differences between the FIIs’ home and host countries negatively moderate this relationship. Our results are robust to the choice of estimation technique and various sources of endogeneity.     

制度环境约束下的国有企业及其治理模式选择

公司治理作为一种制度安排存在于特定的制度环境中,其治理模式的选择一般要受到制度环境的制约,有效的治理模式应该与制度环境相兼容.文章探讨了制度环境与治理模式之间的相关性,分析了制度环境约束下的国有企业的资本结构和多元目标对其治理效率的影响,并在此基础上提出了一个可供学术界进一步研究的国有企业治理的权变模式.     

高空平台站空地链路信道建模与QualNet仿真

高空平台站通信是实现中继通信的重要手段,其受大气效应及多径效应制约严重,但网络仿真器中缺少针对高空平台通信系统的准确信道模型,无法进行有效的仿真分析。为此,从分析ITU-R模型与Ricean模型出发,在此基础上改进QualNet仿真器内置的信道模型,使之基本实现对真实空地链路信道的近似模拟,将该信道模型应用于网络仿真中,并分析信道特性对空地链路性能的影响。最后,搭建了基于QualNet的半实物仿真平台,进一步增强了空地链路仿真的准确性和合理性。该信道模型及仿真平台对高空平台站通信系统的参数设计、性能分析具有重要意义。     

Are You Selling the Right Colour? A Cross‐cultural Review of Colour as a Marketing Cue

Should a marketer adopt a pan‐cultural or a culture‐specific approach when using colour in marketing? Colours exercise powerful effects and induce reactions based on both instincts and associations. Colours alter the meanings of the objects or situations with which they are associated and colour preferences can predict consumers' behaviour. This article reviews the psychological and socio‐cultural associations and meanings of colour(s) in a cross‐cultural marketing perspective and outlines their role as a marketing cue. Because cultural values, marketing objectives and desired customer relationship levels influence the choice of colour in corporate and marketing communications, it is argued that a cross‐cultural perspective of colour research and application is imperative for developing global marketing strategies.     

基于价值驱动的企业网络组织异变机理研究

不同于大量研究文献中对企业网络组织的稳定性假设,企业网络组织在实践中的波动性、高失败率都折射出其动态性的本质。这些源于网络组织运行主体的松散性、主体间交易关系的交错性以及运行边界的弹性,因此企业网络组织常被视为“动态的网络组织”,而异变是网络组织的一个重要特征。文章基于价值驱动的视角,发掘出了企业网络组织的渐进型与激进型异变路径,即基于价值网结构稳定的渐变与价值网结构失灵的激变,有助于丰富网络组织动态性研究的内涵。     

An internet marketing framework for the World Wide Web (WWW)

It is likely that the World Wide Web (WWW) will come to play a significant role in the marketing strategies of many organisations, even when it fails to become the dominant marketing communications channel. A framework is required whereby an organisation can assess the potential of, develop a role for, create and manage a WWW site within its marketing strategy. The WWW is an interactive channel offering a potential for many‐to‐many communications to all players in a market. Existing frameworks either fail to recognise the implications of this or else they ignore it. This paper attempts to develop a framework which invites organisations to fundamentally rethink their marketing strategies through consideration of the opportunities presented by the WWW.     

Manufacture upgrade and interfirm relationship development: the case of electronics firms in the Pearl River Delta

Despite significant economic benefits of manufacture upgrade from original equipment manufacturing, through to original design manufacturing to own brand manufacturing, research on interfirm relationship development during the process of manufacture upgrade has remained underdeveloped. This article examines different types of interfirm relationships and their impact on manufacture upgrade using case studies of electronics firms located in the Pearl River Delta. The findings suggest that three iterative processes support relationship development: resource seeking, learning and networking. These processes influence relationship development for both vertical and horizontal relations through trust-based personal relationships. In particular, the insights provided by relational view of interfirm relationships appear to complement and support economic goals of governance mechanisms.