Recai Coşkun, Liridon Kryeziu and Besnik A. Krasniqi
Kosovo has experienced a radical shift from a centrally planned economy to a market economy and built institutions from scratch. During the institutional building process, due to…
Abstract
Purpose
Kosovo has experienced a radical shift from a centrally planned economy to a market economy and built institutions from scratch. During the institutional building process, due to inconsistencies in institutional reforms, firms faced several challenges in competing in the domestic market and engaging in exporting activities. The purpose of the study is threefold. First, to examine how institutional settings influence family firms’ success; second, how and which types of strategic behaviours family firms pursue in response to institutional deficiencies and third, whether and how internationalisation helps the firms overcome the difficulties resulting from deficiencies of the institutions.
Design/methodology/approach
This study employs a qualitative document analysis technique using secondary and primary data to examine the impact of institutional settings on firm internationalisation and related firm reactions.
Findings
Findings suggest that fiscal policy, weak protection of property rights and contractual enforcement negatively influenced family firms because of unfair competition, unpredictable business environment and additional costs due to deficient institutions. The authors found that internationalisation provided benefits for the firms in handling the problems posed by the institutions. The firms focused on three main strategies to respond to weak institutions: improving product quality, diversifying and differentiating products and setting competitive prices.
Originality/value
This study contributes to the literature and explains how and which economic institutions influence firm internationalisation and how engagement in international business activities provides an advantage in responding to deficient institutions in the home country.
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Attempts to discuss a rarely debated issue in the literature of international business i.e. Turkey’s attractiveness as a manufacturing location, and examines the determinants of…
Abstract
Attempts to discuss a rarely debated issue in the literature of international business i.e. Turkey’s attractiveness as a manufacturing location, and examines the determinants of foreign direct investment in Turkey. After briefly concluding the main location‐specific factors of Turkey, the findings of three different surveys are demonstrated. The surveys’ results suggest that overemphasis made by the Turkish officials on location‐specific factors such as “low cost labour and cheaper inputs” and “geographical location” is a sign of mis‐policy design since the major determinants of foreign direct investment seem to be factors such as “the promising Turkish economy” and “growing local market”.
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Recai Coşkun and Oğuzhan Öztürk
This study aims to critically evaluate resource dependence theory’s (RDT) assumptions and explanations about dependence and the dependent firm’s strategic options. The authors…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to critically evaluate resource dependence theory’s (RDT) assumptions and explanations about dependence and the dependent firm’s strategic options. The authors argue that RDT’s perception of dependence is problematic because it evaluates dependence as a purely negative situation in which all firms, by definition, seek to develop strategies to change the power structure of such relationships. On the contrary, the authors argue that there are situations in which dependent firms are in agreement with dependence and, therefore, develop strategies that do not aim to change the balance of power in the relationship, but rather to strengthen their position within the relationship.
Design/methodology/approach
The research is designed as a theoretical discussion. The authors critically evaluate and discuss current understanding and assumptions about RDT’s dependence explanations. Drawing on insights from the strategic management literature, the authors offer a new perspective on the problematic areas in the dependence explanations of the RDT.
Findings
Drawing on insights from the strategic management literature, the authors argue that dependent firms enjoy certain advantages due to the dependence relationship to gain sustainable competitive advantages over their rivals and potential competitors. These advantages include factors such as increasing growth potential, developing capabilities and competencies, building relationships of trust with powerful firms and leveraging their reputations and references that contribute to the sustainable strategic advantages of dependent firms. The authors believe that this study has the potential to spur new research that further challenges the assumptions of the RDT and empirically tests its propositions.
Originality/value
The authors propose a research framework on dependence as a strategic option that has the possibility of expanding RDT’s current dependence explanation.
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Liridon Kryeziu, Recai Coşkun and Besnik Krasniqi
The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of family firms’ types of social networks on internationalisation. By investigating the mechanisms and the process and…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of family firms’ types of social networks on internationalisation. By investigating the mechanisms and the process and complexity regarding the operation, function and impact of social networks, this paper aims to gain insights and understand the dynamism concerning the content, and process as well as build rich and detailed construct analysis.
Design/methodology/approach
This study used a qualitative case study as a research strategy to examine the impact of social networks on family firm internationalisation. A qualitative research strategy was used as the impact of networking relations and structure is challenging to be measured statistically.
Findings
The findings suggest that family firm internationalisation was gradual and characterised by an incremental learning process. This process facilitated the networking relations and structures that helped firms improve their quality, product diversification and set competitive prices.
Research limitations/implications
This study’s first limitation is that it focused mainly on low technology manufacturing firms. This paper recommends examining how high technology firms maximise social networks. Secondly, this paper examined family firms; therefore, this paper recommends comparing and contrasting networking relations and family and nonfamily firms' social structure. Thirdly, being limited only to social networks, this study did not focus on the impact of ownership; this paper suggests future studies to examine family ownership and involvement in firm internationalisation.
Originality/value
Understanding how firms’ social network types influence family firms’ internationalisation in a transition economy is critical to ensuring family businesses’ expansion. This study explains how family firms use social networks to internationalise, extending the current understanding of family business literature in transition economies. It also provides implications for policymakers and family firms managers for improving the growth prospects of family businesses.
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Recai Coskun and Remzi Altunisk
Having noted the importance of small‐ to medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) in Turkey, studies a number of current management issues such as globalisation, European Union (EU…
Abstract
Having noted the importance of small‐ to medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) in Turkey, studies a number of current management issues such as globalisation, European Union (EU) membership, Internet and telecommunication technologies, protectionism, foreign capital inflow, and increasing consumer awareness that are likely to play a crucial role in the SMEs’ future. After conducting in‐depth interviews with 31 SME owners/managers, found that there is a positive attitude towards these issues even though the respondents lack a clear and comprehensive understanding of the pros and cons. Hence, in light of the findings of this study, there is an obvious need for gaining insights about the business environment for Turkish SMEs and designing and employing a strategic perspective if they are to capitalise on emerging opportunities and avoid threats in the new business environment.
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Sefer Yilmaz, Huseyin Ozgen and Recai Akyel
The main purpose of this study is to develop an understanding of how managerial methods can be used during the change process to direct employees' attitudes positively towards…
Abstract
Purpose
The main purpose of this study is to develop an understanding of how managerial methods can be used during the change process to direct employees' attitudes positively towards change. This study also aims to provide considerable implications for the homeland security managers suitable for the applications on the area of homeland security. Paying requisite attention to the attitudes of employees towards change and careful selection of change management methods is considered critical for determining the ultimate success.
Design/methodology/approach
The data used in this study were obtained by the questionnaire survey method, analyzed by using a statistics software program, and main findings of the study were evaluated. The last section of this study has a discussion and a conclusion which includes specific evaluations and recommendations regarding the homeland security organizations and their practices in Turkey. Due to the large data set available, only the main findings are presented in this paper.
Findings
Findings suggest that the methods used, such as informing the employees about what is going on regarding change, consulting them and maintaining participation of the employees to the change process, have a positive impact on the attitudes of security managers towards change. This means that if an organization complies with the advice of the change literature asserting that the employees should be informed of, consulted and participate in the change from the outset of the process, the employees would probably commit themselves to change rather than resisting it.
Originality/value
The topic of this study is believed to be of vital importance in the area of homeland security organizations of Turkey and other countries in the context of change management for the sake of success in change initiatives. It is hoped that this study will make contributions to the existent literature in that it combines two disciplines, namely, change management and homeland security management, in just one case study. This combination would add considerable insights into the success and/or failure of the change initiatives launched in the organizations of homeland security generally and in Turkey specifically.