This study attempts to investigate the relationships among Korean hotel employees’ perception of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), their intrinsic motivations, and their organizational commitment (OC). The mediating effect of intrinsic motivation on the relationship between employees’ perception of customer- and employee-related CSR and OC is explored, and the moderating role of job level on the relationship between CSR perceptions and intrinsic motivation is tested. The data were collected via online survey, and the Hayes’ Process macro was used as an analysis tool. We found that (1) both types of CSR perceptions are important in creating intrinsic motivation and OC, (2) intrinsic motivation enhances OC, and (3) job level moderates the link between employee CSR perceptions and intrinsic motivation positively. Interestingly, we found that when customer-related CSR or employee-related CSR is high, the level of intrinsic motivation will significantly differ between managerial and non-managerial employees. This study’s results will contribute to the current literature on CSR, and will aid human resources departments that are considering CSR practices as a means to enhancing employee intrinsic motivation and OC.

Although research on reverse knowledge transfer (RKT) from subsidiaries to headquarters is increasingly prominent, the debate concerning the primary determinants influencing RKT has not reached an academic consensus. Therefore, we have attempted to draw an overall picture for RKT by using both knowledge transfer capacity and relational capital as overarching theoretical lenses. In a sample of South Korea, we find that knowledge development capability, subsidiary willingness, and autonomy are critical factors affecting the reverse transfer of local market information within MNC networks. Furthermore, both the knowledge integration mechanism and trust are facilitators for improving relational capital between subsidiaries and MNCs. This factor facilitates RKT from the former to the latter. Copyright © 2017 ASAC. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

This research attempts to identify key factors affecting the acquisition of local market information in foreign majority-owned international joint ventures (IJVs). By using Spearman rank correlation coefficient and ordinary least squares regression, we reveal that most of the factors included in our model play a pivotal role in enhancing learning for foreign parents of IJVs. These results contribute to current knowledge by filling several research gaps and provide useful and practical implications for multinational enterprises.

This study attempts to identify the key factors inhibiting the bribery practices of multinational enterprise (MNE) subsidiaries directed at local managers in China. During the experiment, this study employs an institutional theory, identifies primary determinants on the phenomenon, and compares the main components between old versus young subsidiaries. Data were collected through a questionnaire survey and both regression and spearman rank order correlation analyses were used as statistical techniques. Through the analyses, we found that a cognitive pillar is a crucial element contributing to the inhibition of bribery practices, the enhancement of institutional quality, and the promotion of sustainable development in the emerging economy. We expect that the results will provide useful implications for MNE managers planning to invest in China and for policy makers enacting institutional environments.

Strategic orientation represents an important antecedent condition for new product development (NPD) performance, which can help firms create competitive advantage and promote sustainable growth. This study aims to explore the role of strategic orientation (i.e., technology orientation, customer orientation) in promoting firms’ digital capabilities and NPD performance in the context of digital transformation. Using a resource-based view and its extended dynamic capabilities as a theoretical foundation, we provide a comprehensive framework by developing a set of hypotheses. In addition, we examine the moderating effect of corporate social responsibility (CSR) on the relationship between strategic orientation and NPD performance. Using data from a sample of 174 Chinese manufacturing firms, we perform structural equation modelling to empirically test our arguments. Our findings show that technology orientation and customer orientation play a critical role in driving firms’ digital capabilities. Moreover, we find that the two dimensions of strategic orientation tend to exert different effects on NPD performance, with technology orientation playing a more significant role than customer orientation in contributing to NPD performance. Finally, our findings strongly suggest that a firm’s CSR engagement moderates the relationship between its customer orientation and NPD performance, such that the higher the firm’s engagement in CSR, the greater the contribution of customer orientation to the firm’s NPD performance. Our findings provide new insights into non-market mechanisms such as CSR through which firms can compensate for their strategically oriented practices in the NPD process.

Purpose Although extant research has provided vast knowledge on the determinants of new product development (NPD) success, prior work is generally bounded to the framework of developed economies. Thus, research dealing with NPD, specifically in the emerging-market context, is still in its infancy. The purpose of this paper is to advance our current understanding on the determinants of NPD performance of emerging-market multinationals (EMMs) by exploring how international knowledge exploration plays a part in the international NPD performance of these firms. Furthermore, it examines how such contribution is contingent on EMMs’ international networking effectiveness and environmental dynamism that draws on the “fit” concept. Design/methodology/approach To empirically test the theoretical model, the authors draw on a sample of 179 high-technology firms from China, which is the world’s largest emerging market. Findings Results strongly support the hypothesis that international knowledge exploration positively affects international NPD performance. The analyses of moderating effects indicate that EMMs that are more effective in networking with global network partners and experience a low level of environmental dynamism are likely to achieve better financial performance in NPD. Originality/value This study advances our understanding on how and under what conditions EMMs can overcome their knowledge-disadvantaged position and achieve NPD success in global markets by highlighting the important role of international knowledge exploration and possible contingencies. Thus, it contributes to the literature on EMM and innovation.

Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria are now considered significant, global non-financial evaluating factors of corporate value. However, no attention is given to what influences the integration of ESG information by individual investors in their investment decisions. This study first identifies different types of information investors use to make investment decisions. Risks identified in information integration in investment decision making is reviewed. Next, the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model is used to identify individual investors’ investment tendencies and the factors affecting integration of ESG information into investment decisions. Each of four categories for UTAUT innovation adoption factors (performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influences, and facilitating conditions) are discussed in relation to how they affect individual investors’ integration of ESG information. Standardization of ESG reporting and evaluation frameworks would reduce efforts to adopt ESG information and could build a strong foundation for facilitating ESG information integration. Corporates’ efforts to further communicate their ESG management through their investor relations and active governmental well as non-governmental organizations’ participation are recommended.

This article examines the determinants of technology acquisition and performance in a sample of South Korean international acquisitions (IAs). Derived from the concept of absorptive capacity, determinants are identified as compatibility between acquiring and acquired firms, specifically organizational cultural compatibility, goal similarity, and business relatedness. The findings support the study's hypothesis that goal similarity and business relatedness positively influence technology acquisition. However, contrary to expectations, there is no support for the view that organizational cultural compatibility is positively related to technology acquisition. We also do not find support for anticipated positive relationships between organizational cultural compatibility, goal similarity, business relatedness, and IA performance. As anticipated, we do find support for the positive influence of technology acquisition on IA performance. The article suggests practical implications for managers and potential future research avenues.