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Based on the theory of resource dependence, a continuum of absorbing dependency exists between firms from least- to most-constraining. Extending this line of research, we propose that the boundary ...

Drawing on the theory of resource dependence, this study tries to put forward an examination on the absorbing mechanisms of resource dependency which could influence the link between inter-organiza...

Drawing upon the theory of disaggregation and modularity, this study examines how firms may use mechanisms other than internalization to affect their offshore outsourcing strategies in countries wi...

We set out in this study to analyze the impact of vertical integration on the innovative performance of a firm and to explore the interaction between vertical integration and different modes of external knowledge sourcing. Our empirical results reveal an initial increase in the effect of vertical integration on innovative performance up to a certain level of integration, although this is subsequently followed by a decline; that is, the relationship is characterized by an inverted U-shape. The results further reveal that external knowledge sourcing is positively related to the innovative performance of a firm, albeit with a negative interaction with the level of vertical integration. In other words, firms with higher levels of vertical integration may be faced with barriers to the acquisition of external knowledge. Our findings suggest that firms should be cautious in their pursuit of a strategy of vertical integration, given the non-monotonic impact on innovative performance, whilst an increase in the level of vertical integration is also likely to diminish the effectiveness of the external knowledge sourcing.

Theoretically and empirically, the linkage between outside directors and firm performance is not conclusive in previous studies. We suspect that the mixed results are due to the failure to meet the requirements of the independence of outside directors. As the Taiwanese government has a rigorous definition of outside director independence, we employ a data set from Taiwan to test the impact of independent outside director assignment on a firm's performance. Our findings suggest that after controlling for a firm's past performance, independent outside director appointments do have a significantly positive impact on a firm's performance, and outperforming firms may have better performance but not significantly when assigning outside directors due to their absorptive capacity.

We propose a theoretical framework for the study of globally offshoring innovations and firm innovativeness by examining both benefits and costs of geographic dispersion over 89 countries. Data on 541 global companies from 2005 to 2011 show a consistent horizontal S-curve relationship between dispersed innovations and firm innovativeness. Further, firms implementing a corporate-wide offshoring strategy could achieve greater innovativeness gains from an increase in the scope of geographical dispersion. Our framework and findings have implications for theory and contribute to research on the broader phenomenon of the internationalization and globalization of innovation by delving into the influence of dispersed innovations on firm innovativeness.

This study explores whether firms should collaborate with other powerful firms in the same market and, if so, when. This study bridges the gap on the existent mixed arguments about whether to colla...

This article identifies key features of the strategy concept as a basis for reviewing existing theories of strategy. It also provides an agenda for future research. the article argues that there is a decision hierarchy in a firm, and defines strategy as the highest-level decision in the hierarchy. Consequently, strategy has to exhibit what may be called three features of dominance: vertical dominance, horizontal dominance, and dynamic dominance. A vertically dominant strategy is one that determines, directly or indirectly, other decisions of a firm. A horizontally dominant strategy seeks to optimize the value of the firm according to some criteria. Dynamic dominance implies that strategy should affect the subsequent decisions of a firm over a relevant period of time. With few exceptions, existing theories of strategy are issue-oriented and focus largely on horizontal dominance. More research should, therefore, be directed towards vertical and dynamic dominance criteria. If a comprehensive theory of strategy which satisfies the three dominance features cannot be developed, it is suggested that development should be directed towards integrating behavioural and economic approaches.

This paper examines the policies adopted by host governments to regulate the entry of multinational enterprises (MNEs). The conflict between host governments and MNEs over the choice of entry strategies is demonstrated. The theoretical underpinnings of host governments’ regulations on MNEs’ entry are provided and the restrictive policies adopted by host governments are assessed. In general, prohibiting an MNE to sign a licensing agreement with its own partially owned subsidiary generates a higher level of national welfare. If the size of the host market is large enough to support several efficient plants, encouraging MNEs to license their technologies to several local firms will also increase national welfare.

Despite the fact that a great deal of empirical research confirms the existence of strategic groups, not enough attention has been paid to their theoretical development. This paper links the theories of spatial competition and cognitive taxonomy to the very existence of strategic groups in a competitive environment. It is shown that the concept of strategic groups is not an analytical convenience but a theoretical construct.

This paper constructs models to investigate the rationale for a multinational corporation to enter into a joint venture to serve a host market. In particular, the model examines the impact of profit sharing, cost reductions, risk reductions, and competition reductions on the profits of international joint ventures. The results may explain the ‘recent’ popularity of international joint ventures. The models show that (1) a joint venture is the dominant entry strategy when there is a formidable local competitor and the risks of operation are high, (2) a wholly owned subsidiary is preferred if a multinational corporation has a significant cost advantage, (3) a joint venture is preferred to a wholly owned subsidiary if significant cost reductions can be achieved through combining the strengths of a multinational corporation and a local firm, and (4) multiple licensing is preferred if the number of local firms is large.

Focusing on inter-firm networking, this paper analyzes how the structuring of external relations and internal resources affects firm performance. While previous studies from single fields have focu...

This paper examines the profit to a firm of different production-related strategies for entering a foreign market. The entry strategies examined are foreign direct investment, exclusive licensing, multiple licensing, joint venture, and a combination of joint venture and licensing. It is shown that even though the entering firm is able to charge the optimal licensing fee, foreign direct investment generates the highest profit and is thus the dominant entry strategy in many contexts. This paper also suggests counter-strategies for responding to government restrictions on firms' entry.

Employing the notion of balanced growth postulated by competence-based literature, the present study submits that a firm’s growth strategy can be understood as its ability to manage the interplay of building and leveraging existing competence within the business context. The synergistic effects resulting from the creation of a self-reinforcing cycle of competence building and leveraging initiatives then drive the achievement of superior performance. To examine the validity and usefulness of this conception, we conduct a systematic investigation on the strategy-performance link of contract electronics manufacturers based in Taiwan, who have emerged as the competitive global supply base in electronics and computer industries. Empirical results based on a panel of business-level operating data show that while building product-related competence is essential to the contract manufacturer’s achievement of higher profitability, leveraging competence between subcontracting services and own-brand business will significantly enhance both profitability and sale growth. The implications of formulating a sustainable growth strategy for contract manufacturers in the context of horizontally configured industries, and suggestions for future research endeavors on competence-based management are discussed.

This paper intends to complement the existing literature on the performance of venture capital (VC) investments by presenting a multiple principal-agent framework for examining partner selection strategies aimed at mitigating uncertainties and their effects on investment performance and boundary conditions. Using a dataset of VC investments from 1980 and 2008 in the U.S., we found evidence that the existence of industrial and geographic uncertainties negatively affects the performance of independent VC (IVC) investments. The empirical results show that the strategy of partner selection has no effect on IVC performance. However, from the homophily and resource perspectives, if various VC-specific uncertainties are considered as contextual factors, one would expect CVC firms to be selected as partners by IVC firms as a way to increase the probability of success.