Does partnering with the World Bank shield investors from political risks in less developed countries?

This study explores whether partnering with the World Bank’s International Finance Corporation (IFC) protects foreign investors from aggressive actions by host countries’ governments. Building on the obsolescing bargaining model, we theorize that host states fear that hostile actions towards IFC-supported investments will damage their relationships with the World Bank. Within this context IFC support deters host government aggression towards investments. We assess our argument using country-level panel data as well as interviews with a sample of high-level managers. Findings suggest that IFC-support helps to reduce host state aggression against investing firms.     

论知识经济条件下FDI的区位选择

随着经济的发展，越来越多的企业纷纷打破国界限制，进行对外直接投资。知识经济时代，以知识、技术资源为代表的生产要素日益重要，给砌的区位选择带来了影响，并通过跨国公司的投资决策表现出来。本文从分析何为知识经济出发，将国际直接投资的区位选择与社会经济形态的发展过程特点相结合，并对FDI区位选择做出策略性建议。     

企业社会责任理论演进及文献述评

企业社会责任已经成为学术界和企业广泛关注的研究领域,中国企业社会责任的意识较薄弱,因此,无论是政府、公众还是企业都应该首先从自我做起,正确认识企业社会责任,为推动企业社会责任在中国的发展及和谐社会的构建作出应有的贡献。     

The Communication of Corporate Social Responsibility: United States and European Union Multinational Corporations

This study explores corporate social responsibility (CSR) by conducting a cross-cultural analysis of communication of CSR activities in a total of 16 U.S. and European corporations. Drawing on previous research contrasting two major approaches to CSR initiatives, it was proposed that U.S. companies would tend to communicate about and justify CSR using economic or bottom-line terms and arguments whereas European companies would rely more heavily on language or theories of citizenship, corporate accountability, or moral commitment. Results supported this expectation of difference, with some modification. Specifically, results indicated that EU companies do not value sustainability to the exclusion of financial elements, but instead project sustainability commitments in addition to financial commitments. Further, U.S.-based companies focused more heavily on financial justifications whereas EU-based companies incorporated both financial and sustainability elements in justifying their CSR activities. In addition, wide variance was found in both the prevalence and use of specific CSR-related terminology. Cross-cultural distinctions in this use create implications with regard to measurability and evidence of both strategic and bottom-line impact. Directions for further research are discussed. Laura P. Hartman is a Professor of Business Ethics and Legal Studies in the Management Department in the College of Commerce at DePaul University, as Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs of the University and as Research Director of DePaul’s Institute for Business and Professional Ethics. She is also an invited professor at INSEAD (France), HEC (France), the University of Melbourne, the Université Paul Cezanne Aix Marseille III and the Grenoble Graduate School of Business. She has been published in, among other journals, Business Ethics Quarterly, Business & Society Review, Business Ethics: A European Review, and the Journal of Business Ethics. Robert S. Rubin is an Assistant Professor in the Management Department at DePaul University’s Kellstadt Graduate School of Business. He received his PhD in organizational psychology from Saint Louis University. His current research interests include transformational leadership, leader cynicism, social and emotional individual differences, and management education and development. K. Kathy Dhanda is an Associate Professor at the Department of Management at DePaul University. Her areas of research include sustainable supply chains, environmental networks, marketable permit modeling, sustainable management, and public policy.     

中国跨国公司的市场产权问题研究

市场产权理论是继产权理论之后,近几年来一些学者提出的重要理论,受到国内外学者的普遍关注。但市场产权在其内容、主体及来源上均有商榷之处。因为市场主体不只是国家,还可以是企业,特别还可以是跨国公司。因此,跨国公司要扩张和发展,获取市场产权更有重要意义。根据国际经验,中国跨国公司可以通过投资结构的改变、技术控制、品牌控制及跨国并购来获取市场产权。但根据中国的实际情况,还应采取综合运用各种途径、培植知识产权扩张实力、利用两个市场并打好本土化的基础以及深化市场产权的体制改革等对策来获取市场产权,从而促进中国跨国公司的扩张。     

Exploring the Effects of Union–NGO Relationships on Corporate Responsibility: The Case of the Swedish Clean Clothes Campaign

In the current era, governments are playing smaller roles in regulating workers’ rights internationally, and transnational corporations (TNCs), non-governmental organisations (NGOs) involved in the struggle for workers’ rights, and labour/trade unions have started to fill this governance gap. This paper focuses on the least researched of the relationships among these three actors, the union–NGO relationship, by analysing the ways in which it affects definitions of TNC responsibility for workers’ rights at their suppliers’ factories. Based on a qualitative study of the union–NGO relationship in the Swedish garment industry between 1996 and 2005, we propose that there are six main configurations of union–NGO relationships. By linking these configurations to their effects on TNC responsibility, we propose that co-ordination relationships between unions and NGOs, particularly high-commitment co-ordination relationships, are likely to result in a broadening of the definition of TNC responsibility, while conflictual relationships, both high and low commitment, result in a narrowing of the definition of TNC responsibility. The study indicates that co-operation is generally more beneficial for both unions and NGOs than is any form of conflictual relationship, in terms of broadening the definition of TNC responsibility.     

零售企业在跨国经营活动中应注意的问题

本文认为,目前越来越多的零售企业走向国际化,进行跨国经营。跨国经营不存在一个普遍适用的模式,一切都要在实践中摸索。零售企业在跨国经营活动中要注意选择恰当的进入时机,确定本土化的经营模式,制定清晰的跨国经营战略,了解进入地区与母国在地理和文化上的差异,正确选择业态和营销渠道,重视东道国消费者的消费习惯和偏好,认识企业公共关系对跨国经营的作用,依靠服务提升竞争力,注意跨文化管理。文章指出,在赢利模式上,跨国零售企业应通过商品进销差价和降低供应链管理成本赢得利润;而在经营模式上,则强调系统性和集权性,以先进的信息系统和高效的物流配送系统为强有力的支撑,这是21世纪零售业的发展方向和跨国零售企业的核心竞争力。     

Sinosteel：Extraordinary Moves in Industry Chess

Among the Fortune 500 firms,more and more images from China emerge out.On the 2008 list,Sinosteel Corporation,a landmark group of China industries quietly squeezes into the candidate line.As the largest steel service ＆ trade enterprise,its sales reached at RMB 111.24 billion,with a year-on-year increase of 83.03 percent,and the profit grew by 180.03 percent.On the Sinosteel 2008 Work Meeting,the president Huang Tianwen uttered,＂In the coming year,we will work for US$20 billion sales,and look forward to getting a position in Fortune 500 firms for ourselves.＂     

Walk Through Unusual Five Years—— An Exhibitor＇s Canton Fair Course

When the 103rd Canton Fair is approaching, an old friend of Canton Fair, Li Ying from Jiangsu prov-ince recollected his past five years＇ experiences to the grand trade meeting. Each year is special, with some unforgettable memories colored by the year.     

跨国公司转移定价问题研究

跨国公司转移定价是为了优化资金配置、规避税负、规避东道国的各种管制、规避国际金融风险以及争夺、控制市场。我国之所以很少采取用此策略,其原因主要是存在对转移定价认识不充分,未形成有效的国际经营管理体制,缺乏快捷信息系统及有效的指导。我国应"因地制宜"地运用转移定价,重视定价的准备工作,转移定价既要考虑避税的综合收益,又应为东道国政府接受;要总结跨国公司经营教训,不断创新和熟练地运用转移定价策略,努力实现利润最大化和不断增强国际竞争力。