Thesis (Ed. D.)--Arizona State University, 1989. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves [132]-144).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Harvard University, 1998. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 330-351).

Thesis (doctoral)--Göteborgs universitet, 1996. / Thesis abstract laid in. Includes bibliographical references (p. 256-258).

Thesis--University of Wisconsin--Madison. / Typescript. Vita. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 403-414).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 2003. / eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (p. 179-194).

Thesis (M. Sc.)--University of Hong Kong, 2005.

The current research of slack-performance relationship pays attention mainly to a set of overlapping slack natures, such as being sticky or liquid, without sufficient consideration of variables related to the internal structure of a given organization. I posit that this weakness may prevent us from further understanding how different slack resources (the slacks) influence firm performance. Moreover, the research on slack-performance relationship has pay insufficient attention to firm's performance in terms of corporate social responsibilities or CSR. Combining the transaction cost theory of the firm with a perspective of international strategy (Taylor, Beechler, & Napier, 1996), I propose a new model explaining how organizational-structure-related variables may interact with the slacks and influence firms' corporate social responsibility. In the study, I propose that with the international strategy, the positive relationship between liquid slack of a given MNE and its corporate social performance will become stronger. Meanwhile, with the international strategy, the negative relationship between the sticky slack of a given MNE and its corporate social performance will become weaker. After analyzing data from publicly listed US firms (2000-2012), I obtain evidence supporting the importance of organizational integration structure for understanding slack-performance relationship. The results show that the international strategy has negative effects to moderate the relationship between the slacks and corporate social responsibilities. Keywords: Sticky slack, Liquid slack, Corporate social performance, Corporate social irresponsible, International strategy

Sovereign Wealth Funds (SWFs) have enjoyed a great deal of public debate among scholars and policy makers alike in recent times. This increased attention can be associated with the swelling size and number of SWFs. In the last decade, there has been a sharp increase in the number of SWFs and they have become notable players in the world financial markets due to the soaring commodity prices and global imbalances. Currently, SWFs have more assets under management (in USD) than hedge funds. Buoyed on by the recent discoveries of natural resources in Africa and relatively high commodity prices, Africa has joined the international trend of SWF establishment and is home to nine SWFs, three of which were established between 2011 and 2012 alone. There is limited evidence and theory around the impact of SWFs on the economy of the host nation, mainly due to lack of transparency associated with SWFs. Supporters of SWFs claim that they have a positive effect on their host nation’s economies. Employing selected macroeconomic variables, this study looks at the impact of the introduction of a SWF on the host nation’s economy. Evidence shows a positive impact. / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / pagibs2014 / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / MBA / Unrestricted

A firm’s capital structure decision is guided by factors both internal and external to the organisation. This paper tests the extent to which international macroeconomic factors, particularly a considerable market shift, affect firms’ capital structures by using the global financial crisis of 2008 as a reference point. The study investigates the degree to which firms’ capital structures are changed in a variety of countries and industries within emerging markets, hypothesising that firms’ capital structures have changed post-financial crisis. The research is conducted by means of a quasi-experimental event-based time-series study, with the financial crisis of 2008 considered the fulcrum. Data from five years before, and five years after the event provided the basis for statistical analysis. The study found that leverage in emerging market firms is counter-cyclical and that country specific and industry specific factors influenced the degree of effect that the financial crisis of 2008 had on capital structures of firms over the studied period. / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / lmgibs2014 / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / MBA / Unrestricted

Currently an overwhelming number of businesses have adopted diversification strategies and are exhibiting great success and have a prominent footprint on the global market. On the contrary, there is divergent scholarly thinking on the diversification-performance link and a wide-spread condemnation for the adoption of diversification strategies. As a result, managers of successful diversified companies are running far ahead their scholarly counterparts. Priori constructs, developed through an extensive and wide ranging literature review, focused the theory building power of the inductive case study research methodology employed. Through the lens of the emerging dynamic capabilities theory, four of the most highly successful diversified conglomerates over an extended period, were selected through the extreme case variant method, and were investigated in a longitudinal study from 1997 to 2013, to realise some of the key insights to their success. The outcomes of the research provided a rich explanation of how all five elements of dynamic capabilities are implemented in response to the increasingly dynamic environment within an entrepreneurial approach to sustain competitive advantage. The understanding of dynamic capabilities was extended through the emergence of two new themes, people and supportive structures. The findings gleaned are encapsulated within a simple framework that business practitioners can implement. In addition, the findings bring together a vast body of knowledge and provide a meaningful contribution in response to the lack empirical findings in business practice. / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / pagibs2014 / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / MBA / Unrestricted