Large Corporations Research Articles

The worth of corporate social responsibility in SME growth to large corporate size

This study investigated the relationship between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). It examined the extent to which SMEs can engage in CSR to achieve larger sizes. A purposive study selected three large corporates that started as SMEs and grew to become large corporates through CSR. Interviews with managers leading CSR in these corporates revealed that CSR can be a key driver of growth, leading to larger sizes. The study concludes that CSR can be effectively used by SMEs to enhance their growth, potentially even to multinational enterprise levels. Recommendations include training employees in CSR knowledge, integrating CSR into business operations, prioritizing CSR initiatives, exposing management to CSR, and incorporating CSR into the mission for strategic status.

Exploring the effects of coworking in two European cities: Financialisation flows and consumption patterns in Athens and Berlin

With the continuous deregulation of state functions in processes of neoliberal urban production, coworking spaces have emerged as autonomous actors in processes of urban development, as they appear to conglomerate flows of freelancers, startuppers, remote workers, digital nomads and financial capital from private investors and large corporations. As such, these actors could play an important role in the organisation of urban activities that could have multiple impacts on the urban economy. Tracing the effects of coworking spaces in metropolitan cities, this qualitative analysis is focused on coworking spaces in Athens and Berlin, two cities characterised by different development trajectories, socioeconomic and cultural contexts and positions within the European and global urban hierarchy. The results reveal that coworking spaces demonstrate high levels of adaptability to the specific characteristics of the urban contexts in which they are located and play a dual role by (1) shaping and channelling the consumption patterns of coworkers while also (2) operating as mediators and facilitators of multilevel private investment and financialisation processes.

Ethical issues of medical schools and their academic departments accepting gifts from pharma

The ethical implications of medical schools or any of their academic departments accepting large corporate donations, mainly from pharmaceutical companies, have been long debated. Although such contributions are common in other graduate institutions, medical schools must be convinced about potential conflicts of interest and public opinion. We re-explore the benefits these kinds of gifts would afford for improved educational and research resources against the ethical dilemmas this kind of donation would present and concerns about public perception and actual conflict of interest. Using the principles of beneficence, nonmaleficence, autonomy, and distributive justice, we discuss the physicians’ obligations and conceivable patient backlash that may ensue. Ultimately, we recognize the necessity for financial resources to support academic missions but contend that health care facilities and medical education must be equipped while ensuring a complete lack of bias in sponsorship.

Sustainability marketing when introducing a new product to the market

Methods. The study of the problems of marketing development was based on the conceptual foundations of the theory of sustainability marketing. As methodological approaches, SNW-analysis was used – for the purpose of researching the factors of the marketing environment, BCG matrix – for the analysis of product potential. Specific tools of scientific research were used: statistical methods – to demonstrate the dynamics of financial and economic indicators of the enterprise's activity; comparison – when comparing the prices of commodity products. Results. There are analyzed the marketing activities of a large company, a leader in the mineral water market, a part of a large corporation IDS Group Ukraine, a well-known trademark «Morshynska». The analysis of the internal environment of the enterprise, in particular, the SNWanalysis for TM «Morshynska» is carried out. It is determined that the growth of awareness of ecology and sustainable development can stimulate demand for environmentally friendly products, including mineral water. It is determined that sustainability marketing is the formation of heterogeneous demand on the basis of sustainability and care for the environment, long-term prospects for the development of society. The focus of the enterprise's marketing strategy on eco-standards of products, as well as the expansion of the manufacturer's range, is very reasonable. Novelty. Based on the results of the analysis, it is determined that the enterprise PJSC MZMV «OSCAR» should use a diversification strategy to open a new direction of its products – «green marketing». Practical value. The conducted analysis allows to improve the management of marketing activities of manufacturing enterprises in the plane of sustainable development.

Performance coaching and training transfer in micro, small and medium enterprises of India: examining the mediating role of employee agility

PurposeThe study investigates the role of performance coaching (PC) and employee agility (EA) in training transfer (TT). Research reveals that initially 40% of trainees struggle to apply what they've learned, increasing to 70% after a year, resulting in just a 50% overall training success rate. Following Holton et al.'s learning transfer system (LTS) framework, much research explores the factors affecting TT in various contexts, emphasizing organizational contexts, individual factors and training design, mainly in large corporations. This research, however, delves into the influence of PC (as an organizational context) and EA (as an individual characteristic) on TT in medium- and small-scale Indian enterprises. Building on the resource-based view (RBV) theory, the study also examines how EA mediates the relationship between PC and TT.Design/methodology/approachFollowing LTS framework and building on the RBV theory, the survey research has been designed. Using a validated instrument, data from 411 respondents of Indian micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM) by SPSS-AMOS.FindingsThe result proved that PC and EA exert a significant and positive influence on TT. Further, the result proved that EA mediates the relationship between PC and TT.Originality/valueThe research is unique and original, as little research are available on the exploration of the interplay between PC and EA within the framework of MSMEs.

Financing green industrial transitions: A Swedish case study

Achieving global climate targets requires massive reductions in greenhouse gas emissions from energy-intensive industrial sectors. We investigate whether financing is an important obstacle for radical emission reduction in industry. We study Sweden as a case of a country that is comparatively advanced in its planning for transitions to low-carbon industrial production. We find that the size of capital investments or the availability of financing for these investments is not perceived as a significant obstacle. There are a number of factors explaining this, such as the fact that the companies involved in this study are well-established, large corporates, and hence well placed to finance their transition plans through conventional corporate finance channels, that conditions for market demand are good in the EU, and that many of the firms are in early stages of developing new technologies, when capital need is smaller compared to later stages. We also find that many financial actors express a strong appetite for sustainable investments. Finally, we observe that despite financing not being perceived as an obstacle, there is still a large and important role to play for public actors for reducing the risk of investments and accelerating the pace of change going forward.

Innovation in Corporate Lending: A Case Study of Shriram Finance Corporation Private Limited

This case study explores the innovative practices in corporate lending adopted by Shriram Finance Corporation Private Limited, a leading financial services provider in India. The study examines the company’s approach to addressing the unique financial needs of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and large corporate clients. Through a detailed analysis of Shriram Finance’s product offerings, risk management strategies, and use of technology, the research highlights how the company has differentiated itself in a competitive market. Key innovations include customized loan products, advanced credit assessment models, and the integration of digital platforms to streamline lending processes. The findings underscore the impact of these innovations on improving financial accessibility, reducing operational costs, and enhancing customer satisfaction. This case study contributes to a deeper understanding of the evolving landscape of corporate lending and provides insights into effective strategies for financial institutions aiming to foster innovation and growth in this sector.

Investing in US Timberland Companies

Are common stocks issued by timberland companies a good investment? Portfolios of large US timberland corporations are compared to simultaneous investments in a diversified US common stock index. Over a 20-year sample period it turns out that the US timberland corporations, on average, perform about as well as the highly diversified US stock market index. It is surprising that the timberland companies do not outperform the stock market indexes because, in order to encourage tree planting, the US Congress has almost completely exempted timberland companies from paying federal income taxes. Furthermore, it is scientifically impossible to assess the value of the large amounts of photosynthesis that the timberland companies produce. As a result of these two ambiguities, it is difficult to state decisively that the timberland companies are better investments than a diversified portfolio of common stocks. However, valuing timberland companies is more practical than endeavoring to value the trees directly.

MANAGING FINANCIAL RISKS BY ENSURING THE FINANCIAL STABILITY OF COMPANIES

This article discusses the scientific and practical aspects of increasing the financial stability of joint-stock companies. The scientific works of domestic and foreign economists on ensuring the financial stability of the company were studied. The financial results and trends in the financial performance of large foreign corporations are analyzed. Based on the study of international practical experience, scientific recommendations have been formulated to ensure financial sustainability in joint-stock companies in our country.

Demystifying Dividend Yield: Unveiling the Impact of Financial Metrics in Malaysia's Top 100 Ranked Companies

This research examines the complex link that exists between dividend yield and return on assets (ROA), audit quality, business size and liquidity among Malaysia's top 100 ranked companies in 2022. A statistically significant positive correlation has been shown between ROA and dividend yield, suggesting that increased profitability is generally associated with larger dividend yields. This research lends credence to the signaling theory, which holds that companies use their dividend policy to communicate to investors their financial stability and confidence. In a similar vein, there is a notable positive correlation between AQ and dividend yield, which emphasizes the importance of strong audit procedures in boosting investor trust and raising dividend payments. Additionally, the research reveals a noteworthy affirmative association between firm size and dividend yield, underscoring the influence of market capitalization on the determination of dividend policy. Consistent with signaling theory, larger corporations use dividends as a strategic way to communicate their commitment to shareholders because they are seen as more financially reliable. Furthermore, a strong positive correlation has been shown between liquidity and dividend yield, highlighting the crucial role liquidity plays in determining dividend payout policies and providing investors with a sense of financial safety. This study, which makes use of signaling theory, sheds light on how businesses strategically employ dividend policy to convey important information to the market, boosting investor confidence and improving market repute. The practical ramifications of these findings include enlightening investing strategies and giving investors insight into the factors influencing decisions about dividend policy. Theoretical contributions include deepening our understanding of the intricate relationship between dividend policy and financial indicators in the context of signaling theory and providing insightful information for further study.

The Wrong Winners: Anti-Corporate Animus and Attitudes Towards Trade

Abstract Globalization creates winners and losers, and recent research emphasizes that large corporations are among the biggest beneficiaries of trade while smaller firms may be harmed. How do these redistributive effects impact trade attitudes? Because a growing share of Americans hold highly unfavourable views of big corporations, we argue that the belief that large firms win from trade will provoke hostility towards trade and globalization. To test this theory, we show experimentally that informing people that large corporations benefit from trade makes them markedly more hostile towards trade compared to a treatment emphasizing that firms in exporting industries benefit. Using subgroup and mediation analysis, we find that anti-corporate sentiment drives this effect, particularly concern about corporations’ power in society. Our findings illustrate how distributive consequences and attitudes towards the winners and losers from policy change interact to shape public opinion on economic policy.

The bright side of bank lobbying: Evidence from the corporate loan market

Bank lobbying has a bitter taste in most forums, ringing the bell of preferential treatment of big banks from governments and regulators. Using corporate loan facilities and hand-matched information on bank lobbying from 1999 to 2017, we show that lobbying banks increase their borrowers' overall performance. This positive effect is stronger for opaque and credit-constrained borrowers, when the lobbying lender possesses valuable information on the borrower, and for borrowers with strong corporate governance. Our findings are consistent with the theory positing that lobbying can provide access to valuable lender-borrower information, resulting in improved efficiency in large firms' corporate financing.

The Puzzle of UK (Under‐) Investment: Is Investment Short‐Termism Just a Supply‐Side Problem in Capital Markets?

AbstractInvestors and financial market intermediaries have been blamed for under‐investment, low growth and low rates of innovation in the UK, with their behaviour being attributed to short‐termism. Various reasons for short‐termism have been identified, including undervaluing long‐term earnings, increased financial obstacles associated with longer investment horizons, and the adoption of financial control systems to meet investors’ demands for quarterly earnings reports. As a result, firms may opt for suboptimal short‐term investment projects while neglecting potentially valuable long‐term initiatives. Most research has focused on large corporates, which constitute a small fraction of the economy and involve multiple stakeholders. There is a significant knowledge gap regarding small owner‐managed firms that rely primarily on internal financing and bank debt for investment. Our study fills this gap by analysing a comprehensive UK finance and investment decision‐making survey of 1501 firms across all classes. The survey reveals that investment appraisal relies on a ‘payback’ period. We find that 58.8% of firms choose a payback period of 3 years or less, with shorter payback periods more prominent among the smallest firms. This suggests that financial frictions impact the investment behaviour of the smallest firms, while shareholder‐driven short‐termism influences the largest firms but only in relation to research and development projects.

Human resource management systems – The social and environmental performance of some of Morocco’s largest corporations

This study, which is founded on the configurational approach’s principles, aims to determine how well-coordinated human resources management systems that are tailored to the company’s business plan perform in terms of society and the environment. In this study, a collection of standard human resource practices serves as the framework for the human resource management system. Through „social commitment” and the „existence of an environmental strategy” social and environmental performance is assessed. To find the simultaneous relationships between HRM systems, business strategies, and the two measures of performance, we carried out a confirmatory quantitative survey on a sample of 107 major Moroccan enterprises. The primary findings demonstrated that the internal consistency of HRM systems and their external consistency with corporate strategy can serve as significant levers for enhancing social and environmental performance.

Public-Private Powerplays in Generative AI Era: Balancing Big Tech Regulation Amidst Global AI Race

Public-Private Powerplays in Generative AI Era: Balancing Big Tech Regulation Amidst Global AI Race

Upset, yet loyal: employee voice amidst unionization at Starbucks

Research methodology The case data are from a mix of secondary sources, which included company documents, webpages and blogposts, autobiographies co-written by Schultz, newspaper stories, news media and other publicly available videos, magazine articles, photographs of signed unionization statements, and webinar interview. Case overview/synopsis In late autumn 2021, the global retail coffee and foodservice company Starbucks dealt with employees at a few USA stores who initiated unionization efforts in an attempt to change their workplace. Their actions triggered a wave of similar attempts at Starbucks stores across the USA over the next few years. Employees amplified their voices on social media, stating both their love for the company and their disenfranchisement. They claimed to have little input about policies and workplace decisions that affected them and that leadership had not heard or adequately responded to concerns with staffing, safety, equipment, and abusive customers. Walkouts were staged and employees at numerous stores pursued unionization. In 2023, Laxman Narasimhan replaced Howard Schultz as CEO. His tenure started with the challenge of reengaging employees who claimed their collective voice was unheard by leadership Readers will consider what employee voice means in the context of baristas working for a large corporation, and how their emotions, commitment to and respect for the organization, and their desire to be heard, related to efforts to unionize and maintain employment. Complexity academic level This case can be used as a unit review to cover several organizational behavior topics or can be used with specific concepts for graduate or undergraduate students. The placement within the semester plan depends on which unit/concepts the instructor will pair with it, such as emotions in the workplace, a module on loyalty, voice and exit, or the introduction of employee voice and engagement. It can also be used in conjunction with cross-level concepts such as trust and leadership. For courses focused on talent management, employee relations, or human resource development, the case could be used to introduce multiple concepts or as a concluding assessment. It would best pair with topics such as employee satisfaction, exit, voice and loyalty, inclusive decision-making or emotions in the workplace. For a course in labor relations, the case could introduce the idea that employees’ experiences, emotions, and perceptions may be related to efforts to unionize.

Understanding how and why students use academic file-sharing and homework-help websites: implications for academic integrity

ABSTRACT In the past decade, extra-institutional file-sharing and homework-help websites have gone from being small-scale operations to large corporate businesses. File-sharing and homework-help websites threaten academic integrity when students use assessment work sourced from these sites as if it were their own. However, little is known about how students use these websites, what motivates students’ use, and whether students are aware of the risks of using these sites. In an international survey of 1000 students, nearly half had heard of, or used, file-sharing and homework-help websites, and 377 completed a longer follow-up survey. We also undertook qualitative analysis of social media posts related to file-sharing and homework-help websites. Students indicate that they used the websites to obtain material to study for and/or complete assessments, and they exchanged assessment and study materials for altruistic reasons as well as for personal benefit. Students were mostly aware of academic integrity risks in using the websites but were typically unaware of their own institutions’ position or policies regarding the use of these sites. It is recommended that higher education institutions develop policies and educate students regarding unaffiliated file-sharing and homework-help websites to promote academic integrity.

Digital transformation maturity assessment framework for large infrastructure asset owners

This research project developed a framework for assessing digital transformation (DT) maturity in large government-owned corporations (GOCs), focusing on integrating building information modelling (BIM), digital engineering (DE) practices, value of information, data integration aspects, and critical information management competencies, relating to asset management, asset delivery, and asset performance. Recognising DT’s strategic importance in asset lifecycle management, researchers created a practical DT maturity assessment tool applied to an Australian GOC. The framework and Excel assessment tool outline DT maturity across seven categories and 56 indicators, using the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) to rank indicators based on expert input. The tool enables straightforward data input and DT maturity evaluation, helping organisations understand their current DT status and set improvement targets. Workshops with DT professionals validated the tool’s effectiveness through a case study, offering insights into DT maturity levels and a roadmap for technological integration and data-driven decision-making. The research highlights DT’s role in enhancing efficiency, innovation, and safety, emphasising the need for strategic alignment with organisational objectives.

When royalties impede technology transfer

AbstractWe use data on over 800 early-stage technology transaction negotiations to model the impact of different types of risk on whether the transaction was executed and then test for contractual factors that may ameliorate these risks. Our data highlight the importance of project risk in determining which negotiations result in a signed contract. We find that transactions aiming to sell early-stage technology to large corporates are less likely to be executed when the buyer is large, and the contract contains royalties, holding constant five different types of risk involved in the transaction. Other risk-reducing contract modes do not appear to increase the probability of an executed contract. Our results support the view that technology sellers’ reliance on royalties may reflect organisational preferences or capabilities which may not be economically or managerially optimal. We also find that ‘people risk’ matters more than ‘technological’, ‘market’, ‘appropriation’ and ‘freedom-to-operate’ risks.

IMPACT OF GST ON INDIAN BUSINESSES

The Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime in India, implemented in July 2017, represents a transformative overhaul of the country's indirect tax system. This research paper extensively analyzes the multifaceted impact of GST on Indian businesses across various sectors. By harmonizing numerous central and state levies into a unified tax structure, GST aims to simplify compliance, boost economic growth, and cultivate a common national market. The study delves into the intricate aspects of GST, encompassing its objectives, statutory framework, and implementation challenges. It evaluates the profound implications for diverse business entities, ranging from large corporations to micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). Key areas of focus include supply chain optimization, pricing strategies, working capital management, and transitional complexities. Furthermore, the paper scrutinizes sector-specific ramifications, shedding light on industries experiencing seismic shifts due to GST, such as manufacturing, services, e-commerce, and real estate. It also examines the role of technology in facilitating GST compliance and the digital transformation catalyzed by this tax reform. Through empirical analysis and case studies, the research paper assesses the extent to which GST has achieved its intended objectives, identifying areas of success and ongoing challenges. It provides valuable insights for policymakers, industry stakeholders, and academics, contributing to the discourse on optimizing the GST framework for enhanced economic competitiveness and ease of doing business in India. Keywords: GST, Indian Businesses, Tax Reform, Supply Chain, Compliance, Digital Transformation, Sectoral Impact, Economic Growth, Policy Implications.