Multinational Level Research Articles

An empirical investigation into the internationalisation patterns of UK firms

We conduct an unique longitudinal analysis on internationalisation patterns for a sample of 600 UK firms over a 23-year sample period from 1990 to 2012. We use three measures of multinationality – the classification system for firm-level multinationality of Aggarwal, Berrill, Hutson and Kearney , foreign sales as a percentage of total sales and the number of geographic segments in which material sales occur as disclosed in the firm’s consolidated accounts. Our results show that multinational levels have increased over time. We find little evidence that firms are regional in their sales, but equally few firms are categorised as global. We also find evidence to support de-internationalisation in some sample years. The industrial analysis shows that health care and basic materials are the most international industries, while Financials, Consumer Services and Utilities are the least multinational. Non-services firms are more multinational than services firms.

The relevance of learning and growth in organizations that adopt and do not adopt the BSC- characterization of the cultural profile

Organizational culture plays a key role, as it characterizes the way organizations behave, decide and guide their own success. Nowadays, due to highly competitive environments, performance is considered a leading concept in management. In the same vein, learning and growth are also important in order to fulfill the requirements related to the defined performance. Regarding the global competition that organizations increasingly face, there are a number of strategic measurement tools that support managers in their decisions.
 In this sense, the Balanced Scorecard (BSC) with its four perspectives, goes beyond the traditional management indicators as it monitors performance, promotes strategic alignment and fosters organizational communication. To put it another way, BSC is considered one of the most relevant strategic management tools to improve organizational performance. Despite the recognized relevance of this research area, this link of organizational culture with the BSC Learning and Growth perspective is yet unexplored.
 This study examines first the differences in organizational culture within organizations with and without the BSC. Second, the study focuses particularly on the learning and growth perspective in organizations with and without the BSC. Results indicate that organizations with the BSC are more receptive to Learning and Growth. A possible explanation for these results may be associated to the multinational level of the sampled organizations, which leverage Learning and Growth in higher proportions.

Key Performance Indicators in the Process of Performance Evaluation Selected Approaches

Performance management at individual level requires a systematic approach for evaluating the work and expectations, supporting such efforts of employees by providing evaluation and feedback in the form of the subsequent implementation of the appropriate corrections, while rewarding. One of the strategic assessment tools of performance management in organizations are key performance indicators (KPI) and the underlying assumption that the selected indicators can be measured or quantified. However, the fundamental problem of any performance measurement system is it´s correct assessment. Based on this interpretation, the aim of the article is to analyze the statistically significant association between the application of performance evaluation methods in terms of the degree of KPIs implementation in organizations. For the purposes of assessing the afore mentioned relationship we have specified a set of fourteen most used evaluation methods which were then subjected to testing by Chi-square test of independence, which has been applied. To simplify and reduce the original amount of data, while maintaining a substantial part of the information, the analysis applied the multivariate statistical method of factor analysis. The research sample consists of small, medium and large organizations operating at the local, but also multinational level. The examined relationship was verified. Based on this, it can be stated that we need KPIs to make a complex picture of what organizations really need and how to achieve the set objectives.

THE EFFECT OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS COMPOSITION ON CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR DOMESTIC AND MULTINATIONAL FIRMS

ABSTRACT As diversity on the board of directors have illustrated important results, our studies exemplify how such diversity can influence the decisions regarding corporate social responsibility (CSR). Literature regarding the importance of CSR has increased in recent years augmenting the importance in having a better understand of its importance and what affects it. Since CSR can serve as a factor in evaluating firms (Kakabadse, 2007), we examine how two aspects of diversity in the board of directors (ethnicity and gender) will impact strategic decision regarding corporate social responsibility practices. We argue that a more diversified board of directors will create a better alignment with stakeholders' interest. Our second objective is to examine if the association between board diversity and CSR will differ if the company operates at domestic or at multinational level. Previous studies have shown how some aspects of diversity may affect CSR; however, there is still a lack of understanding if the operationally level of a company may strengthen the effects of diversity on CSR. In summary, the contribution of this study is to have a better understanding of the influence of board diversity on CSR policies and whether there are different effects in regards of their operational scales. Keywords Corporate social responsibility (CSR), gender diversity proportion, ethnic proportion, board of directors, operational level, SPSS, and WarpPLS 5.0

A population-based comparison of European and North American sinonasal cancer survival

ObjectiveSinonasal cancers (SNC) are rare, thus limiting previous prognostic studies on a multinational level. The aim of this study is to utilize two population-based datasets to compare prognoses for SNC between the United States (US) and Europe. MethodsThe European Cancer Registry (EUROCARE) database and the United States National Cancer Institute’s Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database were searched to identify survival of patients diagnosed with SNC between 1990 and 2007. Relative survival (RS) data were stratified by age group, gender, geographic location, and diagnostic time period. Results12,541 SNC cases were identified in EUROCARE, while SEER identified 4,312. Males comprised the majority in Europe (62.3%) and the US (58.3%). Most patients were over 55 years in Europe (77.0%) and the US (69.5%). Age over 75 was a statistically significant poor prognostic indicator for 5-year RS in the US (48.2%; 95% CI=[43.9, 52.4]) and Europe (38.5%; [34.7, 42.7]). Female gender imparted a favorable 5-year RS in all regions except in Central Europe. By region, the US had the highest 5-year RS (58.8%; [56.4, 61.1]) and Eastern Europe had the lowest 5-year RS (37.1%; [34.0, 40.6]). The aggregate European 5-year RS was 48.1% [46.4, 49.8]. ConclusionSNC in Europe and the US most commonly affects males and individuals over the age of 55 years. Male gender and age over 75 are poor prognostic factors at 5 years. Five-year RS in the US is higher than the 5-year European aggregate RS.

HETEROGENEOUS BOARD OF DIRECTORS: DOES DIVERSITY AFFECTS FIRM PERFORMANCE AT DOMESTIC AND MULTINATIONAL LEVEL?

ABSTRACT This study extends the stream of literature of whether diversity has an effect on a firm’s financial performance. As the composition of the board of directors is becoming more heterogeneous, there is a need to understand how this diversity will affects the performance of the firm. In this study, we analyze whether two composition characteristics on the board of directors will influence firm performance and if there is a significant difference if they operate at the national or multinational level. Our results showed that boards with more females as well as being ethnically diverse has a positive association with firm performance. Additionally, it also showed that such effects are higher when they operate multi-nationally. This is a contribution to the literature as the results emphasize a need for a more diverse board of directors to align with current challenges including cultural differences, competition, and understanding customer preferences. Keywords Gender, ethnic diversity, board of directors, firm performance, multinational operations, software: WarpPLS 5.0

Some Sources of Misunderstandings in Intercultural Business Communication

It is always a big challenge for all types of companies anywhere in the world to survive in the globalised and accelerated world. Their primary objective is to stay competitive, keep or even enlarge their market share while keeping their costs at a minimum level. These corporations often cross borders and operate on a multinational level. In order to do that successfully they need flexible workforce: people who have a high level of intercultural competencies and can help their corporations to achieve their aim of profit maximising. It is widely accepted that culture and languages are among the most significant impacts on intercultural communication. In this paper first I am going to interpret intercultural communication and the role of culture and then look at different intercultural skills and the role of languages in intercultural communication. Some areas that might cause problems in intercultural business communication will also be described.

Sick leave and medication use in pregnancy: a European web-based study

Background and objectiveA comparison of sick leave in pregnancy between countries is difficult as most studies have been conducted in single countries in Scandinavia. The objective of this study was...

Nonmarket strategy research: systematic literature review and future directions

In current management research, a variety of different activities are summarized under the generic term “nonmarket strategy”. Simultaneously, “sub-categories” of nonmarket strategies such as political or social strategies are treated as isolated activities, making it difficult to realize cross-concept relations or commonalities. This article bundles, maps and critically evaluates the rising number of publications in the field of nonmarket strategy research. Based on an integrative framework, we work up insights that have been developed since Baron’s (Manag Rev 37:47–65, 1995) seminal publication. Doing so, our analysis extends previous studies by including internal and external antecedents that influence the development of nonmarket strategies, by analyzing the impact of nonmarket strategies on firm performance and the possibility of strategy integration, on a national as well as multinational level. Key empirical and conceptual papers are reviewed and major findings, relationships, patterns and contradictions are revealed. By consolidating and synthesizing dispersed knowledge, we identify implications for nonmarket strategy elaboration as well as several directions for future research.

Chronic physical conditions, multimorbidity and physical activity across 46 low- and middle-income countries

BackgroundThere are no nationally representative population-based studies investigating the relationship between physical activity, chronic conditions and multimorbidity (i.e., two or more chronic conditions) in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), and studies on a multi-national level are lacking. This is an important research gap, given the rapid increase in the prevalence of chronic diseases associated with lifestyle changes in these countries. This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the association between chronic conditions, multimorbidity and low physical activity (PA) among community-dwelling adults in 46 LMICs, and explore the mediators of these relationships.MethodsWorld Health Survey data included 228,024 adults aged ≥18 years from 46 LMICs. PA was assessed by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Nine chronic physical conditions (chronic back pain, angina, arthritis, asthma, diabetes, hearing problems, tuberculosis, visual impairment and edentulism) were assessed. Multivariable logistic regression and mediation analyses were used to assess the association between chronic conditions or multimorbidity and low PA.ResultsOverall, in the multivariable analysis, arthritis (OR = 1.12), asthma (1.19), diabetes (OR = 1.33), edentulism (OR = 1.46), hearing problems (OR = 1.90), tuberculosis (OR = 1.24), visual impairment (OR = 2.29), multimorbidity (OR = 1.31; 95% CI = 1.21–1.42) were significantly associated with low PA. More significant associations were observed in individuals aged ≥50 years. In older adults, depression mediated between 5.1% (visual impairment) to 23.5% (angina) of the association between a chronic condition and low PA. Mobility difficulties explained more than 25% of the association for seven of the eight chronic conditions. Pain was a strong mediator for angina (65.9%) and arthritis (64.9%), while sleep problems mediated up to 43.7% (angina) of the association.ConclusionsIn LMICs, those with chronic conditions and multimorbidity are significantly less physically active (especially older adults). Research on the efficacy and effectiveness of PA in the management of chronic diseases in LMICs is urgently needed. Targeted promotion of physical activity to populations in LMICs experiencing chronic conditions may ameliorate associated depression, mobility difficulties and pain that are themselves important barriers for initiating or adopting an active lifestyle.

Governing restoration: Strategies, adaptations and innovations for tomorrow’s forest landscapes

Governance structures are urgently needed to promote forest landscape restoration (FLR). In light of recent commitments to mitigate climate change and conserve biodiversity, international organizations are calling for vast areas of land to be restored over the next few decades. At the landscape level, for restoration to be adopted and sustained, it must be attractive to multiple stakeholders with diverse goals that unfold over different spatial and temporal scales. Thus, restoring forest landscapes inherently involves interactions between many levels and types of organizations, institutions, and stakeholders. As a global paradigm, FLR is a relatively new idea, and governance structures required to facilitate and sustain it over time are not obvious. But fortunately, examples of successfully governing FLR can be found in different contexts around the world, with lessons for restoration efforts elsewhere. In this paper, we summarize the differences and similarities between FLR and previous interventions (ecological restoration, forest conservation, and so on) and the specific governance challenges it presents. We then provide an overview of case reports illustrating innovative governance structures that have contributed to successful FLR, presented in this special issue in the journal World Development Perspectives. Cases at the local, national, and multinational levels include new governance institutions or arrangements that have supported landscape restoration in a given context, and the innovative use of existing governance structures to produce landscape-level forest restoration. Collectively, these cases demonstrate that successful governance approaches should be people-centered, adaptable to local contexts and needs, engage a range of stakeholders across different scales and sectors, and be flexible to incorporate local practices and ideas, and changes in these over time. Cases present a range of models and techniques for fostering these conditions, and acheiving forest restoration at the landscape scale.

Responding to ever-changing epidemiological dynamics of Ebola virus disease

With the incidence and mortality rates of Ebola virus disease (EVD) in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone now at zero and reports of the largest and most complex EVD outbreak...

Is the Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (EITI) sufficient to generate transparency in environmental impact and legacy risks? The Zambian minerals sector

Developing administrative and financial mechanisms to achieve transparency and compliance with legal frameworks related to mine operation and closure is a major challenge. Ensuring the appropriate level of disclosure, transparency, and accountability of all compliant and non-compliant parties, and accessibility of this information to external interested parties is a cornerstone of achieving a well-governed minerals sector. This research investigates mining company voluntary environmental disclosures in Zambia as an indicator of how the EITI (Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative) may or may not achieve transparency and accountability. Our research findings drew on three sources: literature review, qualitative primary data with EITI and government officials and content analysis to compare public environmental reporting via company websites of a total of 27 mining companies operating in Zambia. Our analysis found that non-EITI and EITI selected companies disclose similar provisions for environmental liabilities at country, subsidiary, or multinational level. While EITI compliance may improve the environmental financial disclosure by mining companies, the detail and specificity of the voluntarily disclosed information is insufficiently transparent to third parties investigating whether governments and companies are compliant with the law in terms of environmental and governance considerations. We propose solutions to achieve transparency in practice by linking aggregated international voluntary initiatives (akin to the EITI) with mandatory jurisdiction-level reforms in mining financial securities and mine closure legislation accounted at the tenement level that is publicly available. Such reforms enable both independent accounting of financial transactions and improved national capacity for minerals sector governance that attracts international investment and incentivises an innovative, environmentally sustainable, and an economically beneficial mining industry.

Multi-criteria decision making for PV deployment on a multinational level

Photovoltaic (PV) system decision making techniques have traditionally been based on a single economic criterion. However, to properly address global and regional targets for green energy economy, it is necessary to consider a myriad of criteria including environmental implications. A global range of existing or emerging financial support policies should be considered, presenting a complex mathematical problem across several stakeholders to decide where, what and when to invest. This paper presents a multi-criteria framework to evaluate the impact of different financial support policies on their attractiveness for domestic PV systems deployment on a multinational level. The paper also reviews historic cumulative PV installation under certain studied financial policies, and brings the framework output into this discussion related to evident effectiveness of these policies. The paper highlights the policies that have the potential to encourage rapid deployment of PV systems which in turn may facilitate sufficient investments to several stakeholders.

Pulmonary health effects of air pollution.

Air pollution continues to be a major public health concern affecting nine out of 10 individuals living in urban areas worldwide. Exposure to air pollution is the ninth leading risk factor for cardiopulmonary mortality. The aim of this review is to examine the current literature for the most recent updates on health effects of specific air pollutants and their impact on asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and respiratory infection. A total of 52 publications were reviewed to establish new insights as to how air pollution is associated with pulmonary morbidity and mortality. Considerable past evidence suggests that air pollution is an important factor that enhances pulmonary disease, while also causing greater harm in susceptible populations, such as children, the elderly, and those of low socio-economic status worldwide. Asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and respiratory infections all seem to be exacerbated because of exposure to a variety of environmental air pollutants with the greatest effects because of particulate matter, ozone, and nitrogen oxides. New publications reviewed reaffirm these findings. Continued vigilance will be essential to lessen the effects of air pollution on human health and pulmonary disease. Cooperation at a multinational level will be required on the part of governments, industry, energy-based enterprises, and the public working together to solve our air quality issues at the local, national, and global level.

Market Integration through WTO Law and Questions of Democracy: The Case of Ethiopia’s Accession to the WTO

Among the factors which could explain the failure and success stories of market integration through the WTO law, issues related to democracy ar the most important as they determine the legitimacy or otherwise of such integration process. This work examines questions of democratic legitimacy in WTO accession with a focus on Ethiopia’s accession process. Many are anticipating that Ethiopia will join the WTO in the near future due to the lowered accession standards under the revised accession guidelines issued in 2012. However, the government has not yet shown willingness to give up control over state-owned services. This work investigates the democratic legitimacy of this accession process. Thus, it answers this question: How far the elements of democratic legitimacy are observed in Ethiopia’s accession process to the WTO? Procedural and substantive elements of democracy are employed in analyzing legitimacy of governance at national and multinational level.

Europe, Where Is Your Strategy?

ABSTRACTA resurgent and aggressive Russia, refugee flows and terrorists, and rising antisemitism and xenophobia are all sitting on an economic house of cards with unity in Europe coming apart. Soberly stated, Europe is at the cliff's edge and the time for action is now. What action? A voracious 24-hour media cycle and rapidly developing crises seem to have leaders pinned in a caustic loop of act–react. Given that the top challenges of the day affect each of the European capitals differently, in terms of impact to national interests, it is little wonder that finding consensus, either at the European Union or North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), is difficult. Whether it is monetary policy wielded at the European Central Bank or redefining defense postures, measures taken at the multinational level seem wanting for long-term approaches. A common vision of Europe's future is essential and it needs to be articulated in the form of a strategy. A variety of ways are available to get there but the time is n...

An International Comparison Study of Pharmacy Students’ Achievement Goals and their Relationship to Assessment Type and Scores

To identify pharmacy students' preferred achievement goals in a multi-national undergraduate population, to investigate achievement goal preferences across comparable degree programs, and to identify relationships between achievement goals, academic performance, and assessment type. The Achievement Goal Questionnaire was administered to second year students in 4 universities in Australia, New Zealand, England, and Wales. Academic performance was measured using total scores, multiple-choice questions, and written answers (short essay). Four hundred eighty-six second year students participated. Students showed an overall preference for the mastery-approach goal orientation across all sites. The predicted relationships between goal orientation and multiple-choice questions, and written answers scores, were significant. This study is the first of its kind to examine pharmacy students' achievement goals at a multi-national level and to differentiate between assessment type and measures of achievement motivation. Students adopting a mastery-approach goal are more likely to gain high scores in assessments that measure understanding and depth of knowledge.

Organizational and financial aspects of the ATHENA mechanism implementation in the Ministry of Defence

Peacekeeping missions and operations have been increasingly becoming the main way to involve armed forces, at a multinational level in particular. In addition to the United Nations missions, in which the Serbian Armed Forces and other defense forces of the Republic of Serbia also take part, peacekeeping missions and operations under the auspices of the European Union have been ever increasingly gaining in importance. The participation of the Serbian Armed Forces and other defense forces in peacekeeping missions and operations requires adequate financial resources. This paper deals with a mechanism called ATHENA, established by the European Union in 2004 for the financing of peacekeeping military operations, as well as with the possibilities of the Serbian Armed Forces' participation in the program.

Regular gaming behavior and internet gaming disorder in European adolescents: results from a cross-national representative survey of prevalence, predictors, and psychopathological correlates.

Excessive use of online computer games which leads to functional impairment and distress has recently been included as Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) in Section III of the DSM-5. Although nosological classification of this phenomenon is still a matter of debate, it is argued that IGD might be described best as a non-substance-related addiction. Epidemiological surveys reveal that it affects up to 3% of adolescents and seems to be related to heightened psychosocial symptoms. However, there has been no study of prevalence of IGD on a multi-national level relying on a representative sample including standardized psychometric measures. The research project EU NET ADB was conducted to assess prevalence and psychopathological correlates of IGD in seven European countries based on a representative sample of 12,938 adolescents between 14 and 17 years. 1.6% of the adolescents meet full criteria for IGD, with further 5.1% being at risk for IGD by fulfilling up to four criteria. The prevalence rates are slightly varying across the participating countries. IGD is closely associated with psychopathological symptoms, especially concerning aggressive and rule-breaking behavior and social problems. This survey demonstrated that IGD is a frequently occurring phenomenon among European adolescents and is related to psychosocial problems. The need for youth-specific prevention and treatment programs becomes evident.