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While informal networking has been universally regarded as an important feature of expatriate effectiveness, respective network constructs (yongo, wasta, blat/svyazi, etc.) remain weakly understood when taking expatriates' ability to connect to local networks into account. Drawing on informal institution and social capital theory, we present informal networks as an important contextual factor in international human resource management (IHRM), relevant to the work of expatriates in particular. We define informal networks by pointing out their distinctive nature in contrast to social networks and developing central themes to guide future research in this area. This is achieved by integrating the informal network context into research themes relevant to the IHRM domain. In this article, seven research themes centering on focal research questions are developed, which, taken together, constitute a future research agenda and expand the typical domain of IHRM research in the informal network context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The similarities and differences between U.S. domestic and international franchising is analyzed, focusing on the amount of control U.S. franchisors have and the degree of autonomy given to franchisees. Findings on franchises of fast food restaurants like McDonald's, Domino's and Papa John's suggest that international franchisees exert greater autonomy than their US counterparts.

This study explores how sub-national institutions affect the diversification of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) into new businesses. Using a sample of 3240 SMEs in China, we found that the dominance of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and the development of market systems in a province were related to local SMEs' diversification. Specifically, in provinces dominated by SOEs, SMEs were less likely to diversify into new businesses. The development of market systems tended to reduce the odds of diversification for SMEs that primarily served local markets, and lower the likelihood of unrelated diversification. As a rare attempt to examine the impact of sub-national institutions on SMEs' diversification, this study contributes to the research on diversification, institutions, and SME management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Byline: Yongsun Paik, Anatoly Zuplev, Charles Vance Russia's market transformation has presented opportunities and challenges for business cooperation. Success in US-Russian business ventures requires understanding of cultural similarities and differences between partners. This study signifies a mixed signal in applications of Western style management to Russian business. On the one hand, significant differences remain between US and Russian managers in such functions as planning and organising. On the other hand, a convergence effect is noticeable in the behaviour-oriented managerial function of leadership. While the monolithic organisational structure is not easy to dismantle, behavioural aspects popular in US management are relatively easy to adopt for Russian managers.

Scandinavian countries continue to build strong reputations as the world's least corrupt countries. In this case study, in a search for an institutional framework that other countries and policy makers can learn from, we explore sources of high transparency and anticorruption norms in Scandinavia. The most important lesson from this study is that legislative, normative, and cultural institutional pillars must be aligned to achieve the highest level of transparency and anticorruption. We made three main observations. First, adequate and comprehensive legislation in addition to severe noncompliance consequences contribute to an ethical business environment in Scandinavian countries. Second, a willingness to embrace integrity norms and standards through active participation in international conventions and agreements on anticorruption movements contributing to high transparency and integrity management in the Scandinavian countries. Third, a national culture that emphasizes high governmental and civic trust makes bribery and corruption less sustainable. Residents' high level of trust in public officials and police in addition to high civil and media engagement in antibribery cases results in corruption being "starved of oxygen". The findings suggest high trust levels, enforced regulative legislation, small country size, and high human development help craft a framework that drives a transparent business environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]