PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to summarize previous research findings of the relationship between reputation and sustainability at the firm level.Design/methodology/approachThis research uses a systematic literature review of 306 retrieved articles that matched the search criteria. After applying filters and narrowing the sample to a total of 156 articles of a 19-year period (2000–2019) that were finally content analyzed for this study in order to identify sources, authors, theories, methodologies, and opportunities for future research.FindingsFindings demonstrate that in most of the cases, sustainability appears to be an antecedent of corporate reputation and a tool to enhance stakeholders' acceptance and perceptions on companies' activities.Practical implicationsThe study shows the potential of sustainability reporting as a tool to enhance corporate reputation; moreover, it also discussed the likely effect of sustainability over brand equity. This research confirms the importance of having strategic management of both corporate sustainability and reputation management. Including both reputational management and sustainability in the corporate strategy can be a potential source to create value, protect against difficulties and liabilities, and maximize business survival.Social implicationsFor business, establishing clear positions in relation to environmental and social issues, building collaborative global networks and authentic local relations, giving signals that reaffirm business purposes with all stakeholders, and adhering to the sustainable development agenda enhance positive corporate reputation.Originality/valueIn addition to answering the stated research question and in fact filling a gap in the literature, this study led us to identify 25 research questions classified in seven different areas (measurement and scales; causes and effects; longitudinal studies; geographical contexts; theory building; digital as a novel environment; and new actors and institutions).
The Uppsala Model -typically viewed as an internationalization process model, an internationalization stages model, or a sequential internationalization model -has served as a theoretical underpinning in the international business literature since Johanson and Vahlne's (J Int Bus Stud 8(1): [23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32] 1977) article incorporated thoughts by researchers at Uppsala University in one allencompassing model. Major updates to the model were published in 2009 and 2017 by the original authors. Our work examines what has now become the time-tested and Decade Award-winning 2009 version of the Uppsala Model relative to the original model in 1977.We also provide an outlook for international business research within the scope of the 2017 version of the model. This evaluation and dive across times into the nuances of the Uppsala Model capture aspects of the model's theoretical and empirical power, as well as its limitations within today's international business ecosystem. (The international business ecosystem is defined as the organisms of the business world -including stakeholders, organizations, and countries -involved in exchanges, production, business functions, and cross-border trade through both marketplace competition and cooperation.) In the process, we push the theoretical boundaries of the model and provide a unique connection to marketing thought.
Countries, companies, and customers are becoming increasingly concerned with sustainability. However, it is unclear how much increased cost, if any, companies are willing to tolerate for sustainability efforts at the rate of potentially lower profits. Plus, what are the customers' sensitivities to the prices of products/services that are developed within the realm of sustainability initiatives (e.g., how much more can the products/services cost and still be viable)? Additionally, with 193 countries of the United Nations ratifying the Sustainable Development Goals, we know that countries are focused on sustainability, but can companies achieve positive sustainability effects on performance above what countries are doing? Consequently, what are the macro-micro dynamics in play for sustainability efforts? In a 10-country study involving 4,051 companies, we examine these macro-micro (country-company) dynamics, company costs, customer costs, and price sensitivities on the effects of sustainability on companies' performance. The results indicate that positive effects on companies' performance can be achieved (1) from the companies' sustainability efforts in all 10 countries studied, (2) even if the costs and/or prices increased by 27 to 72 percent (depending on the dynamic and scenario), and (3) by companies implementing sustainability efforts that are 5 to 30 percent above the efforts of the country. Increased sustainability effects can also be gained from lowering customer and company costs, but no such effects were found when lowering product prices.
Purpose -The purpose of this paper is to present a cross-country study comparing Colombia and Vietnam, two of the major coffee exporting countries in the world, in terms of their infrastructures, the roles of external shocks, technology adoption at different stages of production, added value, positioning in both domestic and global markets, internationalisation patterns, marketing and branding innovations, regulatory frameworks, and policy environments. This study also explores other aspects linked to production, and marketing strategies that open niche markets such as speciality coffees, and socially-, labour-and environmentally-responsible trade. Furthermore, it identifies opportunities of cooperation and competition between these two countries. Design/methodology/approach -Using value chain analysis as primary research method, this paper identifies links and dynamics in the value chains that have been developed in the coffee industry in both countries to improve competitiveness, increase sustainability, and respond to market demands. Findings -Using value chain analysis, it was found that Colombia and Vietnam produce different types of coffee, and that both have implemented diverse strategies in order to be more competitive in domestic and foreign markets via product differentiation. These differences make explicit room for cooperation between these two countries in an international environment where fierce competition persists. Originality/value -Cooperation between producing countries is an under-researched subject. These findings will be useful both for policy makers in coffee-producing countries and agribusiness researchers.
Purpose – This paper aims to provide an examination of the ongoing internationalisation processes undertaken by 30 major multinational Colombian-owned firms. It also presents a theoretical overview and a conceptual framework for the understanding of internationalisation patterns from emerging countries’ multinational enterprises. Design/methodology/approach – This study is built based both on the results collected from comparative case studies based in the literature and empirical observations of Colombia’s patterns. This study observed the evolution in terms of commitment and investment decisions that 30 major Colombian companies have undergone specially within the past decade. Findings – Although, it was found that direct exports is the widespread entry mode of Colombian companies to foreign markets, most of the observed firms preferred the consolidation in host markets through Mergers & Acquisitions instead of using Greenfield investments or joint ventures. These observations might suggest similarities with the process of internationalisation of Asian tigers multinationals, which means that they are consolidating their internationalisation process based on their learning, linkages and leverages capabilities. Furthermore, Colombian companies are following the internationalisation pattern of other multilatinas. These companies have first explorer natural markets for them; in other words, they have first attempt to be established in markets that share psychic features, and similar institutional environments, as psychic and physical proximity reduces risk and facilitates foreseen return of investments, and therefore long-term capital accumulation. Research limitations/implications – This study has some limitations that suggest further research. First, although the observed firms share one main characteristic: being Colombian-owned multinationals, they belong to diverse fields, so this might pose difficultly for the creation of a framework that explains other multinationals drivers to internationalise. A second limitation is that this analysis does not deepen into the internationalisation patterns of multilatinas from countries other than Colombia; this leaves room for further research questions that might deal with the issue of analysing advantages and disadvantages in the internationalisation process of developing country multinational corporations (DCMCs). A third limitation is that this study does not have a longitudinal approach, so this paper does not intent to provide definitive information about cause-and-effect relationship regarding the drivers for DCMCs to internationalize, instead, this study is intended to provide an analysis of the outward foreign direct investment decisions of Colombian multinational firms. Practical implications – There is limited research based on primary data on accessing the internationalisation process of Colombian multinational companies. This paper offers a research framework and results which could be replicated in other Developing Country Multinational Corporation (DCMNC), and could also be studied longitudinally. This study includes relevant information on the drivers for international expansion, market selection, perceived obstacles, entry modes and consolidation in host markets via acquisitions that could possibly support managerial decisions. Originality/value – There is limited research based on primary data on accessing the process of internationalisation of Colombian multinational companies. This paper offers research framework and results which could be replicated in other DCMNC, and also could be longitudinally studied. This study includes relevant information on the drivers for international expansion, market selection, perceived obstacles, entry modes and consolidation in host markets via acquisitions that could eventually support managerial decisions.
PurposeThis paper aims to summarize previous research findings on the mutual relation between digital transformation and sustainability at a firm-level. Up to date, there is a gap in the literature linking both concepts and a generalized call for more studies.Design/methodology/approachThis research uses a systematic literature review of 89 published studies. After detailed content analysis filters, the authors used 75. The authors present the results following the “Six W” guidelines for systematic literature reviews.FindingsFindings reveal that it is possible to suggest a research framework that considers digital transformation as a driver and a predecessor of sustainability. To survive the digital revolution, companies need to enhance their digital capabilities and balance their economic, environmental and social impacts.Research limitations/implicationsThe precision of the equation used to search manuscripts might have excluded some critical studies that analyze both topics with different connotations beyond merely “Digital transformation” and “Sustainability.” Moreover, the heterogeneity of the findings makes it difficult to classify the findings in a specific context.Originality/valueThe present paper serves as a base to understand the implications of digital transformation on sustainable development for businesses and societies.
PurposeThis paper aims to provide insights into the internationalization strategic responses to the COVID-19 pandemic by higher education institutions (HEIs) in Latin America.Design/methodology/approachThis study is based on information from eight leading Latin American private universities. The data were obtained from official sources such as institutional communications and university administrators.FindingsThe authors identify two main issues that HEIs should consider while responding to the pandemic. First, greater attention and resource allocation to the universities' main local stakeholders can affect traditional internationalization activities. Second, a focus on revitalizing foreign partnerships and strengthening “virtual internationalization” can help maintain and eventually increase international presence.Research limitations/implicationsWhile this study analyses how these Latin American HEIs responded during the initial stages of the COVID-19 outbreak, it is important to conduct follow-up studies to shed light on how HEIs are adapting to the COVID-19 crisis as it continues to unfold.Originality/valueThis study is based on unique information gathered from leading private, not-for-profit HEIs in Latin America, which, contrary to state-owned HEIs or other private institutions in developed economies, have exhibited different means and conditions to respond to the coronavirus outbreak. Finally, the authors contribute to the literature on the internationalization of HEIs by discussing the role of a significant disruptive event on the internationalization of higher education and, particularly, business schools.
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