Two literatures exist concerning cross-border merger activity's impact on domestic wages: one focusing on positive spillover-effects; the other focusing on negative bargaining-effects. Motivated by scarce theoretical scholarship spanning these literatures, we nest both mechanisms in a single conceptual framework. Considering the separate phenomena of inward and outward cross-border merger activity, our theoretical model generates three formal propositions: cross-border mergers can lead to wage increases via positive spillover-effects; and negative bargaining-effects are relatively more dominant when union market power is high, and when merging firms exhibit relatedness. Employing US firm-level panel data on wages combined with industry-level data on unionization and merger activity (covering 1989-2001), we find support for our propositions as inward and outward cross-border merger activity generate positive spillovers to wages, but are more likely to generate firm-level wage decreases when unionization rates are high and when cross-border merger activity is characterized as horizontal. Accordingly, future research on how cross-border mergers affect domestic wages should be mindful that both spillover and bargaining effects are at play, and that the degree of union market-power and the relatedness of cross-border merger activity are critical in determining which effect dominates. (authors' abstract)

Background: Historically, industrial revolutions enabled societal shifts in conjunction with technological advancements. The currently ongoing industrial revolution is the fourth, namely Industry 4.0. Industry 4.0 related technologies require a high level of integration to improve processes and yield more efficient flows of information, physical and financial assets. This integration happens within and between GPNs, which comprise of globally fragmented points of economic activities, including manufacturing activities. New technologies advance these GPNs, causing a qualitative shift, meaning where and how production and consumption activities are changing. The idea of Industry 4.0 is still within its infancy, where the study of Industry 4.0 drivers and barriers for MNEs remains unexplored. Industry 4.0 is in the process of transforming how industries operate with access to new advanced technologies. These technologies can affect GPNs and potentially influence related business decisions regarding offshoring and reshoring decisions in their globalisation strategies. In relation to Industry 4.0 drivers and barriers, this was already investigated for SMEs, leading to the purpose of this study. Purpose: This study investigates the influence of Industry 4.0 on the motivation of MNEs regarding offshoring and reshoring strategies within a global supply chain context. Method: This is a qualitative study, that explores this field through the experiences of industry experts of MNEs. Hence, the study takes a relativistic and social constructionist stance in terms of ontology and epistemology, to inquire into this topic through gathering and comparing in depth experiences. Furthermore, gathered data was analysed through a thematic analysis approach. Conclusion: The result of the study shows that Industry 4.0 is emerging as a comprehensive concept that goes beyond just the technologies, drivers, and barriers. Based on our findings, this is referred to as a value network, replacing the contemporary view on GPNs. Hence, this value network is emerging as its own globalisation strategy that directly influences the motivations for MNEs to offshore and reshore.

Background: Since the Go Global policy in 1999, Chinese firms have been growing and expanding exponentially in the global market. The internationalisation of Chinese firms has attracted not only business partners, policy makers but also researchers with their unconventional process and method. The problem occurs when Chinese brands are facing challenges in brand awareness and equity in foreign markets despite their strong presence domestically. One industry stands out as the most relevant example – the apparel industry – since China has been the largest exporter and importer of clothes worldwide yet Chinese brands are hardly recognised internationally. Among all, ANTA, one of the largest multinational companies (MNCs) operating in the sportswear industry, raises high interest for a case study with their rapid international expansion and their new global strategy. Purpose: This paper aims to examine the process of internationalisation and brand internationalisation of Chinese MNCs through the case of ANTA. This paper also wishes to contribute to the lack of study in the stream of literature regarding Chinese market cultivation post-entry to a new oversea markets and brand internationalisation. Method: A qualitative research was conducted through an exploratory approach. In-depth interviews were utilised for primary data collection in which 6 employees from different positions under ANTA agreed to become participants. A thematic analysis was then carried out. Secondary data about ANTA and their activities and strategies was also collected in order to use in combination with the empirical findings from the interviews. Lastly, an analysis of all the data based on the relevant literature was conducted. Conclusion: ANTA’s internationalisation process was found to be in line with past studies where acquisition is the preferable method. Several reasons were discussed for this choice of entry mode including the macro and firm factors. Following this, the choice of multi-brand strategy was fitting as it enables firms to leverage the acquired assets such as brand names, product lines, markets, capabilities and technology to diminish problems like low product range, lack R&D and technology and ownership disadvantages. However, potential challenges may also occur such as low brand equity and short-term orientated strategy that cannot be solved through rapid expansion and capital utilisation.

Yes / Corporate Social Innovation (CSI) has emerged as a research priority for multinational enterprises (MNEs) due to the increasing popularity of sustainable development solutions addressing wicked problems in the 21st century. Although most studies on CSI have focused on data from developed economies, emphasising the younger generation's forward-looking, sustainable, and environmentally friendly attitudes, there exists a gap in our understanding of the attitude of the older generation towards CSI practices of MNEs operating in emerging economies. The UN's SDG 3 advocates for the well-being of all at all ages. Despite this, healthcare outcomes in global-south countries fall below standard. Therefore, we conducted an in-depth critical analysis of textual data concerning CSI practices of 115 healthcare MNEs operating in 13 emerging economies. We quantified the number of CSI practices in their annual reports and operationalised the dependent variable using an entropy index to calculate the density and percentage score of CSI. Drawing on Upper Echelons, our analysis revealed that older CEOs are likelier to promote, initiate, and implement CSI in greater depth and breadth. These findings present a compelling case supporting the argument that CEOs and board members tend to contribute more to society as they age. We offer empirical evidence supporting the strengthening roles of senior board members and female board chairs. Our findings complement existing CSI studies from developed countries and illustrate how CEO and board characteristics influence the depth and breadth of CSI in emerging economies.

Småland is a region within Sweden that has many successful businesses that have internationalized to other markets with adequate results. IKEA, Husqvarna, Norden Machinery, and many more are prime examples of firms that have made successful entries to other markets. Therefore, this study aims to find the fundamental reasons why Småland businesses are so successful in their internationalization process, and how the culture of the region Småland may affect the process as a whole. Firms of different sizes have been given the opportunity to share their insights and opinions about their internationalization process, and how Småland functions as a suitable business environment. Furthermore, this study strives to give a dynamic and unique perspective of Småland’s business culture functions in the business world. The study has a qualitative method with a thematic and abductive approach which allows the authors to draw their own conclusions based on the appendix and ask open-ended questions as well as follow-up questions. Different theoretical frameworks such as the Uppsala Model, institutional theory, market selection process, and three pillars of Hofstede’s value dimensions have been used in order to conduct an adequate analysis of the research question. Moreover, the gathered data from the participants in the study has been used to link it to the different theories used, as well as emphasize our own opinion on the relevant matter. Småland’s business culture plays a vital role within organizations and their internationalization endeavors.

This thesis discusses internationalisation strategies of companies in a globalising service industry, the telecommunications industry. Differences in the internationalisation processes between manufacturing and service companies, and companies in network industries in particular, are analysed. The telecommunication industry’s special characteristics are discussed. Special challenges faced by companies in small and open economies (SMOPECs) in their internationalisation are also covered. Broad research questions, and a conceptual framework and specific research propositions are presented. The methodology, a multi-case study, and research procedure are introduced, and the research findings are reported, analysed and discussed. During the last decade there has been continuous debate on how well the traditional internationalisation (process) theories are able to explain the internationalisation of service companies. In addition, several researchers have argued that the facts that service sectors are heterogeneous and have different characteristics causes remarkable variations in the internationalisation processes of different service sectors. The conceptual framework developed in this study to analyse the internationalisation strategies of the case companies, national telecommunication companies (telcos) from SMOPECs, is based on the earlier research in the areas of international business and strategic management. The framework consists of two main parts, internationalisation strategies and factors influencing these strategies. The four internationalisation strategies included in the framework are product strategy, operation strategy, market strategy and organisation strategy. The factors influencing internationalisation strategies have been divided into five main groups: global factors, industry specific factors, home country specific factors, company specific factors and host country specific factors. This cross-border multi-case study includes four case companies: Singapore Telecommunications Limited (SingTel) from Singapore, Sonera Oyj (Sonera) from Finland, Telia AB (publ) (Telia) from Sweden, and Telstra Corporation Limited (Telstra) from Australia. The key findings of the study demonstrate that although in some areas the case study companies followed processes suggested by traditional internationalisation (process) theories there were also significant deviations. These deviations are most obvious when analysing market strategies. The findings present several factors behind these deviations. The findings mostly support earlier research on service industries, although there are distinctive characteristics which apply only to the telecommunications industry, or more generally, to network industries. The findings also demonstrate that the special challenges that companies from SMOPECs face in their internationalisation, influence their internationalisation strategies. Interestingly, in addition to these special challenges, the findings suggest that there are areas where these types of companies may have a competitive advantage in relation to their internationalisation. The conceptual framework developed in this study helps to understand the internationalisation process in the telco industry. The framework integrates findings from both international business and strategic management research, recognising the benefits of more generalisable internationalisation models originating from economic and marketing theories, but taking into account environmental circumstances and the influence of managerial actions, emphasised more in strategic management theories. That is, more contingency approach is taken than in some traditional internationalisation models. The conceptual framework and the findings contribute to the existing research on the internationalisation of services particularly, and to international business and strategic management research more generally. / Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, Business School, 2009

In recent years, an increase in geopolitical tensions has prompted discussion within International Business research regarding de-globalization and signs of decoupling between previously interconnected markets. This thesis aims to investigate if high-revenue Swedish multinational enterprises’ communications and strategies are affected by exogenous geopolitical developments in the global economy. By conducting a qualitative content analysis of contents of letters to shareholders between the years 2014 to 2022, we made use of five coded markers and aggregated observations to discern significant events and trends in communication within a sample of 28 multinational enterprises. The findings indicate a shift in market focus among Swedish multinational enterprises, from global to Western markets, as well as increased emphasis on resilience. The study contributes to knowledge of how geopolitical developments affect communication of strategy by Swedish multinational enterprises. / Under de senaste åren har en ökning av geopolitiska spänningar föranlett diskussioner inom internationellt företagande om deglobalisering och tecken på frikoppling mellan tidigare sammanlänkade marknader. Denna uppsats syftar till att undersöka om svenska multinationella företags kommunikation och strategier påverkas av exogena geopolitiska utvecklingar i den globala ekonomin. Genom en kvalitativ analys av innehållet i avsnittet “VD:n har ordet” inom årsredovisningar mellan åren 2014 till 2022 användes fem markörer och aggregerade observationer för att urskilja viktiga händelser och trender inom kommunikation inom ett urval av 28 multinationella företag. Resultatet visar på en förändring i marknadsfokus bland svenska multinationella företag från globala till västerländska marknader, samt ökad betoning på resiliens. Studien bidrar till kunskap om hur geopolitisk utveckling påverkar kommunikation av strategi från svenska multinationella företag.

Yes / The largest influx of refugees since German unification has generated new challenges and opportunities in Germany’s society, culture, politics and economy. Theory advocates the advantages for international business of institutional change, migrations and integration. However, a negative public perception can conceal and inhibit resources and opportunities for German multinational enterprises. How did the attitude of Germany towards refugees change in 2015 and 2016? How did formal and informal German institutions react on the EU refugee crisis? How has this affected decision makers in German MNEs in terms of foreign market entry choices? How do German MNEs evaluate the long-term consequences of this crisis? This paper investigates in which ways the influx of refugees and migrants who arrived in Germany has affected the international business strategy of German MNEs. It is divided into two parts. Part One analyses the impact of this crisis on German culture, society, government, politics and economics and examines how it has been perceived and displayed. Part Two will further investigate how German MNEs are influenced by the migration context in Germany and Europe and how this affects their foreign market entry strategies in emerging economies.

Yes / The largest influx of refugees since German unification has generated new challenges and opportunities in Germany’s society, culture, politics and economy. Theory advocates the advantages for international business of institutional change, migrations and integration. However, a negative public perception can conceal and inhibit resources and opportunities for German multinational enterprises. How did the attitude of Germany towards refugees change in 2015 and 2016? How did formal and informal German institutions react on the EU refugee crisis? How has this affected decision makers in German MNEs in terms of foreign market entry choices? How do German MNEs evaluate the long-term consequences of this crisis? This paper investigates in which ways the influx of refugees and migrants who arrived in Germany has affected the international business strategy of German MNEs. It is divided into two parts. Part One analyses the impact of this crisis on German culture, society, government, politics and economics and examines how it has been perceived and displayed. Part Two will further investigate how German MNEs are influenced by the migration context in Germany and Europe and how this affects their foreign market entry strategies in emerging economies.