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The commitment required of a university or business school to gain international accreditation is significant, both in dollar terms and staff time. This thesis seeks to explain the motivations for business schools to seek accreditation with three major accrediting bodies, AACSB International, EFMD and AMBA, using a multiple-case study methodology underpinned by the frameworks of institutional isomorphism, bandwagon pressures and information asymmetry. Interviews were carried out with 17 business school deans; five deans of accredited schools in Europe, five deans of accredited schools in the United States of America and seven business school deans in New Zealand. All the New Zealand schools were either accredited, formally in the process of seeking accreditation or about to enter the application stage. The results provide supporting evidence for the notion that business schools are seeking accreditation in order to achieve legitimacy benefits rather than performance benefits, and that intangible benefits are seen as having more importance than the costs involved with achieving accreditation. It was also found that where the focus is at an international level, accreditation is found to be underpinned by information asymmetries whereby schools are seeking to gain legitimacy by providing signals to the market regarding their quality. At a regional or national level information regarding quality is more well known and, instead, isomorphic and bandwagon pressures become evident as the pathway towards legitimacy. This study will be of value to business school deans in understanding the forces they are being subjected to when considering the value of seeking international accreditation. The results provide an understanding of why, in the absence of a formal business case, a school may consider such a move, or may have entered the process without the hard data that identifies the costs and estimates the benefits in a measurable way. In this regard it will also be of value to all staff of business schools, and of the wider organisation, to understand the phenomenon that is accreditation.

The purpose of this study is to critically examine family leave policies across universities in the United States to determine whether and to what degree they rely on traditional notions of motherhood and family. Conversations surrounding the lack of equitable and adequate family leave should be continued by researchers, advocates, and policymakers, but the inclusivity of current family leave policies warrants critical attention. The reliance on reproduction to define motherhood excludes individuals who cannot or choose not to give birth. This reliance also attaches mothering behaviors and norms to feminine bodies which works to reify gender inequalities. This project utilizes a mixed methods approach. Using a qualitative content analysis of family leave policies from different universities, I examine if and how they rely on aspects of physical birth, heteronormativity, and gendered language. I compare family leave policies across states that are (and are not) considered LGBTQ+ friendly. Secondly, I used a binary logistic regression analysis to test institutional isomorphism, specifically examining to what extent coercive and mimetic pressures affect family leave policy inclusiveness. I found that most policies are gender neutral and do not rely heavily on reproduction, but the implications of those that are highly gendered and rely on reproduction are enlightening. I found that only 8% of policies included LGBTQ+ specific protections. The regression model revealed that isomorphism is not the greatest predictor of policy inclusiveness, and that universities in less progressive states are more likely to have inclusive policies / Master of Science / The purpose of this research is to examine to what degree university family leave policies rely on traditional gender norms, biological reproduction, and heteronormativity, thus determining how inclusive family leave policies are of adoptive and LGBTQ+ families. Notions of traditional gender norms, biological reproduction, and heteronormativity can potentially exclude adoptive and LGBTQ+ families, as well as gender-nonconforming individuals. I compared universities in both progressive and conservative states to determine if state politics have any effect on family leave policy inclusiveness. I used a content analysis to examine these policies, where I individually coded each policy for gendered language, notions of biological reproduction, and LGBTQ+ protections. I also ran a statistical analysis to determine what variables have an effect on overall policy leave inclusiveness. I found that most policies are gender neutral and do not rely heavily on reproduction, but the implications of those that are highly gendered and rely on reproduction are enlightening. I found that only 8% of policies included LGBTQ+ specific protections. The statistical analysis revealed that state politics (i.e., informal pressures) are not the best indicator of policy inclusiveness, as universities in less progressive states are more likely to have inclusive policies.

Submitted by JOSIANE SANTOS DE OLIVEIRA (josianeso) on 2018-08-13T12:09:49Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Fernando Marcelo Gossler Wawginiak_.pdf: 918794 bytes, checksum: ec9ff495a604b812ceeaf39fcb850311 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-13T12:09:49Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Fernando Marcelo Gossler Wawginiak_.pdf: 918794 bytes, checksum: ec9ff495a604b812ceeaf39fcb850311 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2018-04-06 / Nenhuma / Almejando crescimento e maiores retornos financeiros, muitas empresas estrangeiras acabaram internacionalizando suas atividades para além de suas fronteiras. No Brasil, este movimento teve maior destaque após a abertura do mercado brasileiro ao capital estrangeiro na década de 1990, período no qual empresas de diversas nacionalidades iniciaram ou incrementaram sua participação no mercado nacional. A entrada destas empresas no Brasil trouxe consigo um forte aumento da competitividade entre essas organizações, que atuando em um ambiente de rápidas mudanças econômicas e avanços tecnológicos, necessita atender aos anseios de consumidores cada vez mais exigentes. Partindo deste cenário, o desenvolvimento de novos produtos torna-se um ponto crítico quando relacionado ao sucesso de uma empresa. Dentro do contexto do desenvolvimento de novos produtos em subsidiárias de empresas multinacionais, em especial no caso brasileiro, existe uma prática de estratégica importância, comum entre as subsidiárias de montadoras instaladas em nosso país, este processo é denominado tropicalização. Esta prática pode ser entendida como o processo de adaptação de um projeto de produto oriundo de outros mercados para o contexto local. O objetivo desta dissertação é investigar os antecedentes da tropicalização de produtos em empresas multinacionais montadoras de máquinas agrícolas, bem como explorar as práticas e os desafios que influenciam neste fenômeno. Esta pesquisa apresenta aos gestores de projetos de novos produtos em início de carreira, os principais desafios aos quais estarão sendo submetidos para que possam conduzir o desenvolvimento de seus projetos em sintonia com pontos estratégicos da alta direção, bem como com as pressões do ambiente externo à organização. A pesquisa está dividida em três etapas: Na primeira etapa, apresenta-se uma revisão da literatura, onde conceitos e definições relacionadas aos constructos da pesquisa são expostos; a etapa seguinte é composta por um estudo de caso em duas empresas multinacionais montadoras de máquinas agrícolas; a etapa derradeira apresenta os resultados da pesquisa, evidenciando que o nível de centralização dos projetos de engenharia exerce influência nos projetos de tropicalização a partir de fatores como a escolha do design control, o acúmulo de competências da subsidiária e o nível de complexidade do projeto. Da mesma forma, a pesquisa aponta que as pressões isomórficas normativas, coercitivas, miméticas e competitivas também exercem influência no processo de tropicalização através de fatores como a otimização do processo produtivo, medidas regulatórias exercidas pelo governo, pelas necessidades dos produtores rurais, entre outras. / Striving for growth and greater financial returns, many foreign companies have decided to internationalize their activities beyond their borders. In Brazil, this action had more prominence after the opening of the Brazilian market to foreign capital in the 1990’s, a period which companies of different nationalities started or increased their participation in the national market. The entry of these companies in Brazil brought with them a strong increase in competitiveness among these organizations, which work in an environment of rapid economic changes and technological advances, needs to meet the increasingly demanding consumers. Starting from this scenario, the development of new products becomes a critical point when related to the success of a company. Within the context of the development of new products in subsidiaries of multinational companies, especially in the Brazilian case, there is a practice of strategic importance, common among the subsidiaries of automakers installed in our country, this process is called “tropicalization”. This practice can be understood as the process of adapting a product project from other markets to the local context. The objective of this project is to investigate the antecedents of the tropicalization of products in multinational companies assembling agricultural machines, as well as to explore the practices and the challenges that influence in this phenomenon. The research presents the project, to managers of new products of multinational companies at the beginning of their career, the main challenges to which they will be submitted so that they can conduct their activities in tune with the strategies of the top management, as well as the pressures of the external environment to the organization. The research is divided into three stages: in the first stage, a literature review is presented, where concepts and definitions related to the research constructs are exposed; the next stage is composed of a case study of two multinational companies assembling agricultural machinery; the final stage presents the results of the research, evidencing that the level of centralization of engineering projects exerts influence in tropicalization projects based on factors such as the choice of design control, the accumulation of competences of the subsidiary and the level of complexity of the project. Similarly, the research points out that the normative, coercive, mimetic and competitive isomorphic pressures also exert an influence on the tropicalization process through factors such as optimization of the productive process, regulatory measures carried out by the government, the needs of rural producers, among others.

Human trafficking exists domestically and internationally, and each year thousands of men, women, and children are trafficked into lives of involuntary servitude. Law enforcement efforts to investigate human trafficking across the United States are similar in nature; yet, prior research had not investigated the possible causes of these similarities. Utilizing institutional theory, this research investigated whether institutional isomorphic pressures have any impact on the formalization of human trafficking investigations. Data were collected from 26 municipal police organizations in a mid-Atlantic state on departmental human trafficking policies and practices via Farrell's understanding law enforcement responses to human trafficking survey instrument. Logistic regression analysis was used to predict the probability of human trafficking investigations occurring when institutional coercive, mimetic, and normative isomorphic pressures are introduced. The results indicated no significant relationship between institutional isomorphic pressures and the formalization of human trafficking investigations for the 26 municipal police departments in a mid-Atlantic state. Nonetheless, this study provides an understanding of municipal police department responses to human trafficking and investigatory practices. Accordingly, the social change implications of the study may encourage municipal policing institutions to develop and implement responses based upon human capital and interagency collaboration.

The purpose of this case study was to understand governance of higher education in the developing country of Belize by examining how governance affects financial and curricular decision-making in higher education in Belize. The study also examined the role of the market in higher education and its effects on curricular and financial decision-making in higher education. Data were collected from higher education administrators and Ministry of Education officials through semi-structured interviews, and from review of institutional and public documents related to higher education. A major finding of this study is that although the Ministry of Education through the Tertiary and Post Secondary Services Unit is responsible for the supervision and development of the higher education system, there is a lack of expertise in this "Unit". The lack of expertise means that there is no one who can advise the Ministry of Education in respect to the direction or development of higher education. The study also revealed that there is a lack of an adequate funding formula to support the University of Belize and the junior colleges. While the junior colleges receive only salary grants, UB receives a yearly subvention for capital and recurring expenditures. The lack of a funding formula to include capital projects stifles the infrastructural development of the institution and affects the quality of education offered. The study also revealed that there is a lack of a national development plan to assist institutions in identifying academic programs that meet national development needs. As a result, academic programs are often identified based on market needs, perceived community needs, and social and religious needs depending on the religious affiliation of the institution. Another finding of the study is the role of the market in higher education in Belize. The market plays or should play a role in guiding higher education in Belize, but there is a need for policies and measures to be instituted to lessen the effects of the market. Also, while competition among institutions is necessary because of the small size of the higher education system, collaboration is even more crucial.

Abstract: In our globalized world companies that want to internationalize and go to a new market should consider different factors, if they want to be successful. Institutional adaptation is a vital part of success or failure of the globalization process. The market entry process of western Multinational Companies (MNCs) into China, shows different adapting processes, compared to when entering western country markets. Establishing an MNC in China is more time consuming, as a lot of social and non-business actors, and activities will be involved in the process. Purpose - The purpose of this study is to explore the process of adaptation of western MNCs to eastern institutional environment, with a focus on China. How does western MNCs operating in China adapt to the eastern institutional environment of China?   Method - This is a qualitative single case study with three interviews as primary sources of data. Findings – Government mandates are key factors to any organization whether local or otherwise. Merging with a local company helps to adapt better to the new environment. General cultural norms have a higher impact into the adaptation process. Conclusion - The research conducted shows how having knowledge of the different aspects of the environment and knowing how to adapt to these differences is crucial for the success of a firm. Husqvarna Group adapts to the host environment by means of their code of conduct, adaptation of a foreign organizational structure and accepting stricter mandates put forth by the government along with stricter channels of communication.

abstract: Research on government innovation has focused on identifying factors that contribute to higher levels of innovation adoption. Even though various factors have been tested as contributors to high levels of innovation adoption, the independent variables have been predominantly contextual and community characteristics. Previous empirical studies shed little light on chief executive officers' (CEOs) attitudes, values, and behavior. Result has also varied with the type of innovation examined. This research examined the effect of CEOs' attitudes and behaviors, and institutional motivations on the adoption of sustainability practices in their municipalities. First, this study explored the relationship between the adoption level of sustainability practices in local government and CEOs' entrepreneurial attitudes (i.e. risk taking, proactiveness, and innovativeness) and discovery skills (i.e. associating, questioning, experimenting, observing, and networking) that have not been examined in prior research on local government innovation. Second, the study explored the impact of organizational intention to change and isomorphic pressures (i.e., coercive, mimetic, and normative pressures) and the availability and limit of organizational resources on the early adoption of innovations in local governments. Third, the study examines how CEOs' entrepreneurial attitudes and discovery skills, and institutional motivations account for high and low sustaining levels of innovation over time by tracking how much their governments have adopted innovations from the past to the present. Lastly, this study explores their path effects CEOs' entrepreneurial attitudes, discovery skills, and isomorphic pressures on sustainability innovation adoption. This is an empirical study that draws on a survey research of 134 CEOs who have influence over innovation adoption in their local governments. For collecting data, the study identified 264 municipalities over 10,000 in population that have responded to four surveys on innovative practices conducted by the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) in past eight years: the Reinventing local government survey (2003), E-government survey (2004), Strategic practice (2006), and the Sustainability survey (2010). This study combined the information about the adoption of innovations from four surveys with CEOs' responses in the current survey. Socio-economic data and information about variations in form of government were also included in the data set. This study sheds light on the discovery skills and institutional isomorphic pressures that influence the adoption of different types of innovations in local governments. This research contributes to a better understanding of the role of administrative leadership and organizational isomorphism in the dynamic of innovation adoption, which could lead to improvements in change management of organizations. / Dissertation/Thesis / Ph.D. Public Administration 2013

The purpose of this dissertation is to examine the external factors that influence an organizations' business intelligence (BI) data collection strategy when mediated by BI attributes. In this dissertation, data warehousing strategies are used as the basis on which to frame the exploration of BI data collection strategies. The attributes include BI insightfulness, BI consistency, and the organizational transformation attribute of BI. The research population consisted of IT professionals and top level managers involved in developing and managing BI. Data was collected from a range of industries and organizations within the United States. An online survey was used to collect the data to empirically test the proposed relationships. Data was analyzed using partial least square path modeling (PLS). The results of this study suggest that there exists a positive relationship between institutional isomorphism and BI consistency. The results also indicate that there exists a positive relationship between BI consistency and BI comprehensive data collection strategy, and the organizational transformation attribute of BI and BI comprehensive data collection strategy. These findings provide a theoretical lens to better understand the motivators and the success factors related to collecting the huge amounts of data required for BI. This study also provides managers with a mental model on which to base decisions about the data required to accomplish their goals for BI.

In this comparative case study between Handelsbanken and Nordea, the homogeneous industry of banking is investigated together with the phenomena of management consulting. The two banks are scrutinized under the same laws and regulations, offering the same products and services and tend to recruit similar people. Hence, they are under the same isomorphic pressures. At the same time, it has been acknowledged in the media that the two big banks clearly have different opinions towards management consulting, which additionally is a business area that has increased dramatically over the past years. With this in mind it is interesting to examine why the two actors take such different stands towards the usage of management consultants? In order to answer the research question, theories within management consulting, isomorphism, organizational identity and culture are presented. Semi-structured interviews are used as a primary method and the result of our study is twofold. First, the banks have different ideas about what a management consultant contributes with. Second, the result emphasizes the importance of organizational culture to a greater extent than expected. Hence the cultural palette and the existing understanding of management consulting in these two banks are crucial in order to understand the differences within a homogeneous industry.