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Article
Publication date: 1 September 2007

Wolfgang Stehle and Ronel Erwee

Researchers still debate the relevance of using cultural frameworks and socio‐economic differences between countries versus focussing on institutional differences when analysing…

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Abstract

Researchers still debate the relevance of using cultural frameworks and socio‐economic differences between countries versus focussing on institutional differences when analysing issues affecting the transfer of Human Resource policies between countries. This paper first compares four countries from Europe and Asia on a macroeconomic level as well as on cultural dimensions. It then investigates perceived cultural differences between managers on the transfer of human resource policies by contrasting the perceptions of German headquarters managers with those of their subsidiary managers in Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia. This exploratory study uses qualitative methodology to analyse twenty four in‐depth interviews with Human Resource directors and line managers in German electrical, mechanical and chemical companies. The study confirms the importance of perceived cultural differences between managers at headquarters and in the subsidiaries and highlights the presence of misperceptions based on overgeneralisations emanating from the German headquarters as well as local subsidiaries. Convergence is confirmed on a HR policy level with crossvergence taking place on a process level via regional platforms. The growing role of the subsidiary HR director as a cultural translator and regional team player is found to be a key element in the transfer process.

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Journal of Asia Business Studies, vol. 2 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1558-7894

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Article
Publication date: 1 February 1996

A.N.M. Waheeduzzaman and John K. Ryans

Competitiveness is one of the most misunderstood concepts of the 1990s. It has drawn substantial attention from the government and business communities during the last 25 years…

1926

Abstract

Competitiveness is one of the most misunderstood concepts of the 1990s. It has drawn substantial attention from the government and business communities during the last 25 years. Morrisson et al. (1988) noted that between 1983 and 1987, the term competitiveness appeared more than 5700 times in the titles of newspapers and magazine articles. The growth of importance and interest can also be observed from the increase in the bibliographical entries in ABI/Inform database. From 1981 to 1986, the topic “international competitiveness” increased by about 26 listings per year (a total of 159 in 6 years) and the rate increased to 45 listings per year from 1987 to 1993. Academic interest in the area has also increased and as a result, new developments contemplating conceptualization and understanding of competitiveness are taking place. However, to no one's surprise, writers from different disciplines offer a variation in perspective when describing the concept, understanding, and postulation of competitiveness.

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Competitiveness Review: An International Business Journal, vol. 6 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1059-5422

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Article
Publication date: 1 February 2002

A.N.M. Waheeduzzaman

The ultimate goal of competitiveness is the well being of the citizens of a country. From this perspective, this study investigates the contribution of international…

421

Abstract

The ultimate goal of competitiveness is the well being of the citizens of a country. From this perspective, this study investigates the contribution of international competitiveness on per capita income, human development, and inequality in 45 countries of the world. Correlation and regression analysis were conducted to determine the relationships. The results indicate that international competitiveness positively influences per capita income and human development. Competitiveness also influences the reduction of inequality in a country. Longitudinal studies with more country data needs to be conducted to further the relationships established through cross‐sectional research.

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Competitiveness Review: An International Business Journal, vol. 12 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1059-5422

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Article
Publication date: 1 March 2005

Wolfgang Winter and Manuela Thurm

The following contribution tries to answer the question of whether the management theory's interpretation of cybernetics has something to do with second‐order cybernetics, or in…

957

Abstract

Purpose

The following contribution tries to answer the question of whether the management theory's interpretation of cybernetics has something to do with second‐order cybernetics, or in other words: what the impact of von Foerster's ideas so far on the German speaking management theory is.

Design/methodology/approach

Different methodological programs in business administration and management theory will be summarized to become aware of the fundamental difference between Foerster's ideas and their interpretation through the systemic approach in management theory.

Findings

In the beginning of the 1970s and all through the 1980s systemic thinking became what some management thinkers wanted to be called a “new paradigm” that ever since has attracted numerous researchers and practitioners, especially in the German speaking regions. So it seemed only natural that, together with systems theory, cybernetics, too, was introduced to the management discipline. Can you seriously have cybernetics without second‐order cybernetics? Of course you can. The question here is: how far did German speaking systemic management thinking dare to go in incorporating cybernetics into the theory of management of social systems?

Originality/value

We will clearly see what Heinz von Foerster was pointing at when he talked about management being an autological concept where the manager has to take his being part of the system seriously. When making obvious different conceptual versions of cybernetics and demonstrating their corresponding attempts in transferring cybernetic thinking into the domain of social systems we might get an insight into new directions for researchers in management.

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Kybernetes, vol. 34 no. 3/4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0368-492X

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Article
Publication date: 15 May 2007

Wolfgang Bessler and Stefan Thies

The objective of this study is to investigate the long‐run performance of initial public offerings (IPOs) in Germany for the period from 1977 to 1995. The paper studies why some…

3802

Abstract

Purpose

The objective of this study is to investigate the long‐run performance of initial public offerings (IPOs) in Germany for the period from 1977 to 1995. The paper studies why some IPO firms have substantial positive and others have substantial negative long‐run buy‐and‐hold abnormal returns.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper approaches this problem by differentiating the abnormal return patterns by the following criteria: benchmark, year of going public, security design, money raised, market value and magnitude of underpricing.

Findings

The empirical findings suggest that the subsequent financing activity in the equity market is the most important factor for determining the future performance of an IPO. This variable separates the out‐performers from the under‐performers. Thus, only successful firms have the opportunity to raise additional funds in the equity market through a seasoned equity offering.

Research limitations/implications

Future research should concentrate on investigating whether the introduction of new stock market segments in Germany has changed the long‐run performance of IPOs.

Practical implications

The results suggest that firms with a superior performance have the opportunity to raise additional equity whereas the poor performers do not get a second chance to sell equity to the public. This means that firms have to earn at least their cost of capital in order to receive additional funding.

Originality/value

Compared to other research, this study explains the significant difference in long‐run performance between two groups of IPOs based on the future financing decision. This finding offers new insights to both academics and practitioners alike.

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Managerial Finance, vol. 33 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0307-4358

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Article
Publication date: 1 November 1995

Wolfgang Mayrhofer

Highlights current HRM practice and its potential futuredevelopments in Austria. Develops a framework for analysing AustrianHRM, focusing on the regulatory environment at plant…

2529

Abstract

Highlights current HRM practice and its potential future developments in Austria. Develops a framework for analysing Austrian HRM, focusing on the regulatory environment at plant and supra‐plant level, the impact of industry structure on HR practice, and finally on geo‐political and economic influences. Using empirical data from the study of the Cranfield Network on European HRM (CRANET‐E), analyses the characteristics of current practice in Austrian HRM. Identifies and assesses future developments, especially those triggered by Austria′s accession to the European Union and discusses their implications for Austrian HRM theory and practice.

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Employee Relations, vol. 17 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0142-5455

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