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The purpose of this paper is to examine international decision making, information processing, and related performance implications. The authors aim to explore the relationship between international decision making and problem-solving dissensions related to entry mode decisions. In addition, they aim to investigate the effects of dissension on entry mode performance, and the moderating effect of the foreign direct investment (FDI) vs non-FDI decision as it relates to dissension-mode performance. Despite their significance from an information processing perspective, these issues have not been sufficiently explored in international entry mode research.

This research presents data collected from 233 privately owned internationalized Chinese firms. The analysis in this investigation includes hierarchical ordinary least squares regression.

The findings suggest an inverse U-shaped relationship between dissension and entry mode performance, as opposed to a linear one, and a moderating effect of FDI vs non-FDI decisions on this curvilinear dissension-performance association. These findings support and refine the rationale of the information processing perspective.

These findings add realistic elements to the alleged “rational” international decision-making doctrine assumed in previous entry mode literature. The findings show the importance of the heterogeneity of information processing in entry mode strategic decision-making processes (SDMPs), and its effects on specific decision types. The authors believe that this is the first empirical study to use an information processing perspective to examine the effects of SDMPs on entry mode performance.

Bending and shear rigidities of woven fabrics depend on fibre, yarn and fabric-related parameters. However, there is lack of research efforts to understand how bending and shear rigidities change in woven fabrics having similar areal density. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the change in bending and shear rigidities in plain woven fabrics having similar areal density.

A total of 18 fabrics were woven (9 each for 100 per cent cotton and 100 per cent polyester) keeping the areal density same. Yarns of 20, 30 and 40 Ne were used in warp and weft wise directions and fabric sett was adjusted to attain the desired areal density.

When warp yarns become finer, keeping weft yarns same, bending rigidity remains unchanged but shear rigidity increases in warp wise direction. When weft yarns are made finer, keeping the warp yarns same, both the bending and shear rigidities of fabric increase in warp wise direction. Similar results for fabric bending and shear rigidities were obtained in transpose direction. There is a strong association between fabric shear rigidity and number of interlacement points per unit area of fabric even when fabric areal density is same.

Very limited research has been reported on the low-stress mechanical properties of woven fabrics having similar areal density. A novel attempt has been made in this research work to investigate the bending and shear rigidities of woven fabrics having similar areal density. Besides, it has been shown that it is possible to design a set of woven fabrics having similar bending rigidity but different shear rigidity.

The purpose of this paper is to propose an integrated theoretical framework to examine the determinants of the choice of ownership‐based entry mode strategy for small to medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) in international markets.

The statistical data sources were mail survey and secondary data collection. Logistic regression was used in the testing of the hypotheses.

All four theoretical views (including transaction cost theory, the views of Uppsala process model, organizational capability perspective, and bargaining power theory) have relevance for the choice of SMEs' ownership‐based entry mode strategy in international markets.

This study was limited to the manufacturing sector only. Given the limited scope, caution must be exercised in generalizing from this study's sample to firms in the service sector. Furthermore, this study is a cross‐sectional analysis and may not draw a complete picture of the course of SMEs' ownership‐based entry mode choice over time. Future research should use longitudinal analysis to explore the evolution of SMEs' international expansion over time.

This study proposes a decision path diagram that can give the SMEs some suggestions about how they should consider their choice of ownership‐based entry mode strategy in international markets. The executives of SMEs that invest in international markets can draw useful lessons from this study.

This study proposes a well‐rounded theoretical framework based on four theoretical views (including transaction cost theory, the views of Uppsala process model, organizational capability perspective, and bargaining power theory) to examine SMEs' choice of ownership‐based entry mode strategy in international markets. The limitations for past research that are inherent in focusing on a single theoretical view can be overcome.

The focus on women and gender‐related issues is clearly one of the most important concerns of development administration today. Against this background, examines the problem of ensuring that gender issues are fully incorporated into management education in Africa. The discussion elaborates on why and in what direction and strategies African universities, defined as the centre of the intellectual concerns raised, should take on the matter. Existing theories do not provide clear guidelines. Hence proposes some alternative possibilities based on the principle of representation and decentralized administration. It is noted that the challenge of sensitizing public management education in Africa to gender concerns is not solely an intellectual one. It has political elements too. In effect, therefore, it is important to reiterate the need to guarantee all relevant social groups′ meaningful participation in the development process.

This paper proposes identifying determinants of the choice of an organizational mode for providing after‐sales service in foreign markets. It aims to focus on the decision between contractual/equity cooperation and wholly‐owned foreign entities and the influence of firm‐specific variables on this decision.

An empirical study based on 80 German manufacturing companies was carried out. Hypotheses on the influence of certain firm‐specific variables on the organizational mode were developed and tested by binary logistic regression.

The paper finds that international experience of a company, whether a company already has manufacturing facilities in the specific foreign market, and strategic considerations such as the seeking of global integration advantages and the choice of service as competitive advantage, seems to exert a strong influence on the decision of the internalization of after‐sales service operations. The size of the company and the choice of price as competitive advantage, however, did not display a significant influence.

Since the research is based on a sample of 80 companies from a single country, testing for generalizability of the results to other countries and other industries would seem necessary. Also, the research focused on firm‐specific determinants while an extension into country‐specific and activity‐specific variables would be required to offer a more powerful explanation of the organizational mode decision.

Almost no empirical investigations exist on the provision of after‐sales service in foreign markets. This paper offers first evidence on determinants of the choice between cooperative and fully internalized modes of after‐sales service provision.

While much prior research has focused on Japanese multi‐national corporations’ (MNCs) marketing strategies, little is known about the factors that influence Japanese MNCs’ foreign market entry mode choice. In this study, a survey of Japanese MNCs is conducted in order to assess the factors that are the most influential in the foreign market entry decisions of Japanese MNCs. Using bargaining power theory, eight factors are identified in the study. The findings indicate that five of the eight factors (stake of the host country, need for local contribution, riskiness of the host country, resource commitment, and host government restrictions) are significant predictors of Japanese MNCs’ entry mode choice and that bargaining power theory is of value in predicting the entry mode choices of Japanese MNCs.

Employing the qualitative method, this paper sets out to investigate the role and function of flagship stores as a market entry mechanism employed by luxury fashion retailers.

The paper employs an interpretive research position, utilising qualitative techniques in the form of semi‐structured interviews with élite informants. In total, 12 luxury fashion retailers form the empirical focus of the work.

The paper identifies the defining characteristics of luxury retailers' flagship stores. It finds that luxury flagship stores represent a strategic approach to market entry that is employed to support, enhance and develop distribution activities within a foreign market. The interdependence of flagship stores and the wholesaling method of distribution is highlighted. The importance of the flagship store in reinforcing and enhancing the retailer's luxury status and enhancing and maintaining relationships not only with customers but also with distribution partners and the fashion media is found to be significant.

The paper provides practical information to luxury retailers on the role and importance of flagship stores as a method of entering international markets.

Flagship stores are a pivotal aspect of any luxury fashion retailer's internationalisation strategy. For the first time in the literature, the paper provides insights into their form and function and an understanding of why they are crucial to the international development of luxury retailers despite their prohibitively high cost.

The purpose of this paper is to examine whether political elements affect entry mode decisions of foreign small- to medium-sized manufacturing enterprises (SMMEs) into post-communist Russia.

The paper employs a qualitative research technique. The data were collected using confidential, semi-structured face-to-face interviews.

Smaller manufacturers are more sensitive to the political environment. More specifically, during face-to-face interview, corruption and ineffective law enforcement were found to be the factors of significant concern to SMMEs in Russia.

The research on sensitive topics has limitations largely due to possible political implications for firms operating in Russia.

This study on Russia is significant particularly for foreign small and medium enterprises, it will also raise concerns for firms entry modes into emerging markets of former USSR members.

The paper presents findings that are based on primary sources – interviews with foreign firms currently conducting business in Russia. The research findings will be a valuable source of information to contemporary firms conducting feasibility studies with a view to doing business in Russia. In addition, this study contributes to the limited body of research knowledge on the business environment in Russia and the emerging markets of former USSR members.

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the international market development process in small- and medium-sized exporting firms (SMEs) and to examine the influence of “unexpected market events” in relation to actual market activities.

The discussion is illustrated with a multiple case study. The data in the cases were collected by using secondary data, but also through face-to-face interviews with export executives in the firms. The cases for this research were selected on the basis of suggestions from the Swedish Export Council who applied their own interpretations of firms that have shown rapid export development.

SMEs are becoming more involved in international activities and exhibiting market behaviours not previously seen. The recognition that internationalization is affected by multiple influences has led to a growing interest in contingency approaches. The findings in the study are illustrated by a typology of international market behaviour.

The study is limited to a few exporting firms within the manufacturing industry so the results of the study can only be tentative.

The number of SME firms operating in international markets has grown. The findings in this paper emphasize the importance of the fact that management has the interest, experience and commitment necessary for international activities.

The interest in the study is focused on capturing the steps in the development process that diverts internationalization in a firm from the traditional path of exporting in SMEs. The multiple case studies illustrate the fact that unexpected market events can influence the firm’s marketing behaviour and the international marketing strategy.

The purpose of this paper is to explore international market development for mature products and practices used in a novel business context.

Taking a qualitative approach, the case study method was chosen to investigate how firms develop markets in relation to a new international business context. Critical international decisions are analysed using a managerial perspective.

The success of international ventures depends on managerial learning and effectiveness. In this paper, the authors argue that decisions about international market development can add significantly to the understanding of how business firms enter and develop markets in novel business contexts. Two case studies show different approaches for meeting challenges in distant markets. Four propositions are developed.

A theoretical contribution of this study is the importance of factors that explain international market development decisions in novel business contexts. The balance between incomplete knowledge and making resource commitments is of central concern to international managers. Some of this is tacit knowledge that a firm achieves and learns during the process of market development and other knowledge can only become available after an actual market entry. A second theoretical contribution of this study is the significance of contextual market knowledge in a novel business context.