Shaowei He, Zaheer Khan, Yong Kyu Lew and Grahame Fallon
The purpose of this paper is to examine how innovation-related firm-specific ownership advantage (FSA) plays a role in developing the competitive advantage of Chinese…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine how innovation-related firm-specific ownership advantage (FSA) plays a role in developing the competitive advantage of Chinese multinationals when they internationalize.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on a review of the existing literature concerning foreign direct investment by emerging economy multinational enterprises (EMNEs), the authors identify that numerous studies explain this phenomenon on the basis of their location-bound country-specific advantages. However, such views do not fully explain the key underlying factors behind the rapid rise and success of many EMNEs as these firms rapidly internationalize and develop global competitiveness in developed markets. The current research explores three leading innovative Chinese EMNEs from the engineering sector: BYD, Sany Heavy Industry and CSR China.
Findings
The authors find that EMNEs’ knowledge, and particularly their innovation-creating technological knowledge, has contributed greatly to their successful internationalization. The illustrative cases show that the three firms have now moved beyond the infant to the mature stage of EMNE development through developing their technological knowledge in order to realize FSA through internationalization. This study helps in contributing fresh reflections to the continuing debate concerning the causes of internationalization and global competitive development by EMNEs and the role of their FSAs in these processes.
Originality/value
This is one of the few studies which have demonstrated that some of the EMNEs do possess firms’ specific advantage which helps explain their innovative capabilities, competitive advantages and subsequent internationalization patterns.
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Grahame Fallon and Reva Berman Brown
There have recently been considerable changes in the UK Chamber of Commerce system, leading to the creation of a network of Approved Chambers and of Chambers of Commerce, Training…
Abstract
There have recently been considerable changes in the UK Chamber of Commerce system, leading to the creation of a network of Approved Chambers and of Chambers of Commerce, Training and Enterprise (CCTEs). However, debate continues in academic and practitioner circles concerning whether UK Chambers of Commerce should move further towards the dominant Chamber model of mainland Europe, based on public law status. This paper assesses the case for and against such a move, in order to contribute to the understanding of the likely impact of recent changes and possible future reforms to the UK Chamber system. Various aspects of UK, French and German Chambers are discussed, compared and contrasted in order to consider whether a move to public law status on the part of UK Chambers would be in the UK’s best interests.
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Grahame Fallon, Reva Berman Brown and Jon Allen
The paper explores the potential problems which UK business support organizations may encounter when introducing the Business Excellence Model (BEM). Many of these problems result…
Abstract
The paper explores the potential problems which UK business support organizations may encounter when introducing the Business Excellence Model (BEM). Many of these problems result from the negative attitudes engendered by experience of past programs of change. A business support organization which was about to introduce the BEM was the site used to collect empirical data by means of participant‐observation and interview methods on the issue of implementing quality standards procedures. Conclusions are drawn as to the difficulties which business support organization managers are likely to encounter when introducing the BEM.
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Alan Jones, Grahame Fallon and Roman Golov
Explores the obstacles facing trans‐national corporations (TNC) considering FDI in Russia. Dunning (1994) suggests that countries’ abilities to attract and exploit the potential…
Abstract
Explores the obstacles facing trans‐national corporations (TNC) considering FDI in Russia. Dunning (1994) suggests that countries’ abilities to attract and exploit the potential economic benefits of inbound FDI vary according to their national political, economic and legal cultures, traditions and infrastructures, together with the economic objectives and policies pursued by host governments. This paper seeks to make use of Dunning’s model, in exploring the obstacles to FDI in modern Russia, and their implications for TNCs. The papers’ findings suggest that Russia’s relative lack of success in attracting FDI and exploiting its potential benefits during the 1990s can be attributed to her national infrastructural factors and government policies, as Dunning’s model suggests. Russia’s ability to attract a larger share of FDI in future seems likely to be constrained by national ambivalence towards the benefits of FDI, together with the political and economic realities of her current situation.
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Grahame Fallon, Stuart Graham and Roger Willetts
Pricing and positioning strategies are of increasing strategic importance and are crucial to the long‐term competitiveness of small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs). Following…
Abstract
Pricing and positioning strategies are of increasing strategic importance and are crucial to the long‐term competitiveness of small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs). Following the introduction of the Single European Currency (referred to as the “Euro” throughout this paper), the paper suggests that there will be a major squeeze on price differentials between European Union (EU) member states, creating a danger that existing price‐based positioning strategies will be undermined. This “European pricing and positioning time bomb” will affect UK SMEs (as well as larger businesses) over their short‐term planning horizon, even if UK entry into the Euro is delayed indefinitely. Strategic responses to the Euro will be most effective if they are planned and implemented at the earliest possible time. This paper explores and analyses the findings from a small sample survey of export‐active, consumer goods manufacturing, Northampton SMEs, carried out in late 1997. The aim is to establish their existing pricing and positioning strategies for EU Europe, their preparedness at that time for the introduction of the Euro and the main forms which their pricing and positioning strategies for the Euro were then taking. The findings suggest that most of the SMEs surveyed were in the early stages of planning for the Euro, but that many had not yet fully grasped its strategic marketing significance. Three categories of current marketing postures are identified: price standardisation, price but not product differentiation, and price differentiation supported by product differentiation between EU markets. The paper concludes by evaluating the effectiveness of responses based on these three alternative categories to the new marketing environment in EU Europe that the Euro will create. A set of strategic recommendations is also made for SMEs’ pricing and positioning strategies in the Euro context.
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There have recently been considerable changes in the British Chamber of Commerce system, leading to the creation of a network of Approved Chambers and Chambers of Commerce…
Abstract
There have recently been considerable changes in the British Chamber of Commerce system, leading to the creation of a network of Approved Chambers and Chambers of Commerce, Training and Enterprise (CCTEs). However, the question of whether British Chambers of Commerce should move further towards the dominant Chamber model of mainland Europe, based on public law status, continues to be debated in academic and practitioner circles. This paper assesses the case for and against such a move, in order to contribute to the understanding of the likely impact of recent changes and possible future reforms to the British Chamber system. Various aspects of British, French and German Chambers are discussed, compared and contrasted in order to consider whether a move to public law status on the part of British Chambers would be in Britain’s best interests.
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This paper explores and analyses the findings from a survey of UK participants in a trade mission to Moscow, with reference to relevant academic literature. The focus is on their…
Abstract
This paper explores and analyses the findings from a survey of UK participants in a trade mission to Moscow, with reference to relevant academic literature. The focus is on their experience of doing business in transition economy (TE) country‐markets (including Russia itself); their perceptions of Russian market opportunities and risks; their main sources of information and advice; and their strategies for Russian market entry and development. The findings suggest businesses with experience of TEs and Russia may be best placed to succeed in the Russian market, provided that they draw fully on the resultant lessons. Newcomers to the Russian market can maximise their chances of success by seeking out good information and advice, forging good contacts with Russian businesses, and by adopting a well‐structured, but flexible approach to their marketing strategies. Official support agencies can help UK businesses to succeed in Russia by maximising the quantity and quality of the support, information and advice that they provide.
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Barry Fallon and Lesley Brookes
Access to a strategic planning software package provided astate‐based small business training provider with an opportunity todevelop an innovative training/assistance program in…
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Access to a strategic planning software package provided a state‐based small business training provider with an opportunity to develop an innovative training/assistance program in financial management for small business. The program aimed to have accountants use the software to provide small business managers with financial management information specific to their firms, in a cost‐effective manner. It was hoped that in so doing, accountants would build the provision of such information into the services normally provided to small business, and the small business managers would recognize the value of such information and begin to use it in the management of their firms. Reports on an evaluation of the program which indicated that the program innovation was an effective means of encouraging and enabling both accountants and small business managers to undertake and utilize financial analysis in the management of small firms.
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A.Z. Keller and A. Kazazi
Examines Just‐in‐Time (JIT) from its evolution as a Japaneseconcept through to a review of its philosophy and implementation. Citesseveral techniques of implementation. Includes a…
Abstract
Examines Just‐in‐Time (JIT) from its evolution as a Japanese concept through to a review of its philosophy and implementation. Cites several techniques of implementation. Includes a review of the early work of various researchers and practitioners. Concludes that JIT is a very effective manufacturing philosophy which is universal in nature encompassing all aspects of manufacturing. Suggests a few deficiencies in current literature.