WITH the popularity of high‐frequency heating growing by leaps and bounds, it is desirable to stop for a moment now and then to take stock of the state of the art. This can best…
Abstract
WITH the popularity of high‐frequency heating growing by leaps and bounds, it is desirable to stop for a moment now and then to take stock of the state of the art. This can best be done by breaking down the broad view and reviewing only a narrow phase at a time. This paper is concerned only with dielectric heating (heating of materials by a varying electric field), and reviews the major limitations that prevent universal application.
The aim of this chapter is to argue that charisma is a collective representation, and that charismatic authority is a social status that derives more from the “recognition” of the…
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this chapter is to argue that charisma is a collective representation, and that charismatic authority is a social status that derives more from the “recognition” of the followers than from the “magnetism” of the leaders. I contend further that a close reading of Max Weber shows that he, too, saw charisma in this light.
Approach
I develop my argument by a close reading of many of the most relevant texts on the subject. This includes not only the renowned texts on this subject by Max Weber, but also many books and articles that interpret or criticize Weber’s views.
Findings
I pay exceptionally close attention to key arguments and texts, several of which have been overlooked in the past.
Implications
Writers for whom charisma is personal magnetism tend to assume that charismatic rule is natural and that the full realization of democratic norms is unlikely. Authority, in this view, emanates from rulers unbound by popular constraint. I argue that, in fact, authority draws both its mandate and its energy from the public, and that rulers depend on the loyalty of their subjects, which is never assured. So charismatic claimants are dependent on popular choice, not vice versa.
Originality
I advocate a “culturalist” interpretation of Weber, which runs counter to the dominant “personalist” account. Conventional interpreters, under the sway of theology or mass psychology, misread Weber as a romantic, for whom charisma is primal and undemocratic rule is destiny. This essay offers a counter-reading.
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Anna Fredriksson, Carl Wänström and Lars Medbo
The materials planning (MP) environment sets the prerequisites for the MP process. Before and during production transfer and start-up (PTS) supply chain uncertainty of the MP…
Abstract
Purpose
The materials planning (MP) environment sets the prerequisites for the MP process. Before and during production transfer and start-up (PTS) supply chain uncertainty of the MP environment increases, as the company goes from a known to an unknown situation. The purpose of this paper is to describe the impact of the MP environment on the MP process before and during PTS.
Design/methodology/approach
A conceptual framework describing the MP environment before and during PTS is developed and applied to one case of outsourcing from Sweden to China. The framework is based on a literature review and further evaluated by both researchers and managers.
Findings
A conceptual framework describing the dynamic MP environment before and during PTS has been developed compared to previously static MP environments descriptions. In addition, this framework proved to be useful in analysing the importance of various characteristics of the MP environment before and during PTS.
Practical implications
The study highlights the importance of a proactive approach to materials availability when transferring production. The conceptual framework developed here can be used as a checklist to identify the characteristics of the MP environment that are most important to ensuring materials availability.
Originality/value
The paper highlights the PTS when outsourcing, a substantial time frame with a large impact on success. This is an important contribution, given the focus of previous outsourcing research on strategic issues. Further, the paper demonstrates the differences between static and dynamic MP environments.
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Geir Gripsrud, Carl Arthur Solberg and Arne M. Ulvnes
This paper investigates the role of the foreign local middleman in the information flows between the market and the exporter. Whereas a number of studies have examined the…
Abstract
This paper investigates the role of the foreign local middleman in the information flows between the market and the exporter. Whereas a number of studies have examined the information behaviour of exporters (Benito, Carl, & Lawrence, 1993; McAuley, 1993; Hart, Webb, & Jones, 1994; Diamantopoulos og Souchon, 1996, 1997, 1998), limited attention has been given to the role of the local foreign partner1 in this context. Once established in a market with a foreign intermediary as a partner, there are at least two reasons why information is needed by the exporter. First, the scope as well as the extent of information needed will depend upon the functional “division of labour” between the exporter and the middleman. The less responsibility left to the partner the more information is needed by the exporter to make appropriate decisions. Second, the exporter may want information to control the performance of the partner. Fear of opportunistic behaviour is the driving force in the latter case.
Anna Fredriksson and Carl Wänström
The purpose of this paper is to explore how the manufacturing and supply chain flexibility impact on the ability to transfer production between the units, i.e. production network…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore how the manufacturing and supply chain flexibility impact on the ability to transfer production between the units, i.e. production network coordination. To take advantage of available opportunities for different actors and locations, companies need to effectively transfer production.
Design/methodology/approach
The case studied was a transfer of production between The Netherlands and Sweden. The case was selected based on the opportunity it provided to perform a longitudinal study of an ongoing production transfer.
Findings
Different flexibility dimensions have different importance depending on the receiver or sender. A production transfer can be divided into four parts: knowledge, physical, administrative and supply chain transfer. The manufacturing flexibility have a high impact on the physical and knowledge transfer, the new product development dimension also have a major impact on the administrative transfer in combination with the supply chain flexibility dimension IT. The supply chain transfer was impacted by the supply chain flexibility dimensions except IT.
Practical implications
The paper presents a first step towards a tool for analysing the strength and weaknesses within units in relation to receiving/sending production. Furthermore, that the production transfer should be viewed as four parts with interdependencies help to identify the order of the transfer process.
Originality/value
This paper widens the flexibility concept to a network level. Furthermore, it describes the link between the strategic decision of coordination in the network and the operational ability of the network to accomplish this change.
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Geir Gripsrud, Auke Hunneman and Carl Arthur Solberg
To analyze the internationalization pattern of newly established firms in view of Johanson and Vahlne’s (1977, 2009) contributions.
Abstract
Purpose
To analyze the internationalization pattern of newly established firms in view of Johanson and Vahlne’s (1977, 2009) contributions.
Methodology/approach
We analyze all 2,390 Norwegian new ventures established in 2003 that export in the period 2003–2011.
Findings
We find three different groups of exporters in this cohort: the True Born Globals that start exporting the same year as they are established, and that export further away and to more countries than the other groups. We surmise that these firms fit the revised version of the Uppsala school of internationalization (Johanson & Vahlne, 2009) and are less hindered by “liability of outsidership.” The second group, Born Regionals, export already the second year after foundation, but to countries closer to Norway but to more than one country. Late-comers – starting three years after foundation or later – follow a more traditional path to international markets more in accordance with the original contribution by Johanson and Vahlne (1977).
Research limitations
Our analyses are based on secondary data provided by Statistics Norway. Whereas this gives us data on the total population, we lack information on more specific factors that may explain this pattern more precisely.
Originality/value
This is to our knowledge the first contribution that tests elements of the Uppsala school (pace of international expansion and psychic distance) in a country’s total population of newly founded firms.
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Carl Arthur Solberg and François Durrieu
This paper studies the moderating effect of industry structure on strategy-performance relationships in international markets.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper studies the moderating effect of industry structure on strategy-performance relationships in international markets.
Methodology
We have carried out a survey among a sample of German, Norwegian and Singaporean small and medium sized firms, and test – using structural equation modelling (EQS) – four hypotheses founded in industrial organisation,
Findings
We find that industry structure indeed matters. The general picture is that cautious internationalisation strategies are more effective in fragmented industries than in concentrated industries. Also, with somewhat more nuance, global marketing strategies – such as standardisation and integration – seem by and large to be more effective in concentrated industries than in fragmented industries.
Limitations
The operationalisation of industry structure in an international context is challenging and we have deviated from the traditional Herfindahl–Hirschman Index. This may be a limitation but we also consider it a strength, given the weaknesses of this index in an international setting. The study is cross-sectional and should ideally follow each firm over time, again a challenging endeavour.
Originality
Despite a considerable amount of studies on strategy – performance relationships in international markets, there is no general agreement on the topic. We argue that a contingency approach needs to be taken, and that industry structure is one important factor not yet analysed.
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Kevin Celuch, Anna Walz, Carl Saxby and Craig Ehlen
There is strong consensus that the Internet has the potential to positively impact firms, and SMEs in particular; however, not all firms have realized benefits from adoption. The…
Abstract
There is strong consensus that the Internet has the potential to positively impact firms, and SMEs in particular; however, not all firms have realized benefits from adoption. The present study extends research in the area by addressing the need to examine the “chain” of variables explaining Internet adoption. We do this by exploring SME owner/manager Internet-related usefulness and ease-of-use cognitions and intention to use the Internet for supplier information management. We also explore the influence of behavioral norms and two broader strategic perspectives, market and learning orientation, on the Internet-related cognitions. Findings have implications for researchers and practitioners by identifying factors that contribute to effectively leveraging the Internet in an important area for SMEs.
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Carl Arthur Solberg and François Durrieu
The purpose of this paper is to seek answers to the question of the impact of different classes of strategy (generic and international) on firm performance in international…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to seek answers to the question of the impact of different classes of strategy (generic and international) on firm performance in international markets.
Design/methodology/approach
Survey of 213 British SME exporters, using EQS.
Findings
The paper concludes that Porter's generic strategies have both a direct and an indirect impact through international marketing strategies on firm performance, and that the combined impact of the two levels yields better returns than either of them individually. Furthermore, it questions the wisdom of a stepwise approach to international markets and highlights the importance of a challenger strategy.
Research limitations/implications
This research is limited to British SMEs and needs to be supplemented by research from other countries. Also, it explores the effect of only a limited number of confirmed international marketing strategies, excluding for instance the standardisation construct – a key construct in international marketing.
Practical implications
Managers may derive guidance in their planning by applying the model and the findings in their own deliberations.
Originality/value
Little agreement has been reached as to the impact of different international marketing strategies, let alone the classification of strategies themselves. This paper analyses firm strategy in two levels – generic strategies and five groups of international marketing strategies.