Univ., Diss.--Zürich, 2000.

St. Gallen, Univ., Diss., 2008.

Resources are a key to innovative actions -not only, but also- in nonprofit organizations (NPOs). With the societal obligation of NPOs to create innovative and effective approaches in responding to a variety of concerns such as poverty, human rights, social services, environmental protection etc. this study examines the resource foundations that make NPOs innovative. NPOs are known to show a considerable degree of pioneer work and innovativeness in responding to societal concerns (Salamon et al., 2004). To have NPOs maintain their innovative behavior it is of the utmost interest to identify those requirements and needs that support their specific functions. Organizational slack is suggested to be a very influential factor in determining the innovative behavior of NPOs. Organizational slack are these resources in or available to the organization that are in excess of the minimum necessary to produce a given level of organizational output (Geiger & Cashen, 2002). Innovation is the outcome of a creative process involving different actors which results in a qualitatively new means-end combination that is new to the market or the firm (Gemünden & Salomo, 2004). The question whether or not organizational slack fosters innovation, has not been answered unambiguously so far, since researchers deliver convincing arguments for both standpoints. Against this backdrop, the study seeks to explain the relationship between organizational slack and innovation in nonprofit organizations. More precisely it is of interest to find out how these two concepts are related, positively, negatively, or inversely U-shaped. A sample of 250 randomly selected Austrian NPOs is the data basis for the investigation and was generated in cooperation with Statistik Austria. Through questionnaires the data for the study was collected. To test the proposed hypotheses the data is analyzed through inferential statistics.

Esta tese investigou como a prática da folga organizacional auxilia no alcance dos objetivos financeiros e não financeiros de uma empresa familiar privada. A folga organizacional foi definida na pesquisa como a disponibilidade de recursos a um nível mais elevado do que o estritamente necessário para a operação da organização (Cyert & March, 1963; Onsi, 1973 Danneels, 2008), decorrente das experiências passadas e expectativas futuras dos sujeitos que precisam tomar decisões em determinado contexto social (Nazarova, 2014). As particularidades da empresa familiar compreenderam a essência e a importância da riqueza socioemocional da família nesse tipo de organização; sumarizadas em termos da necessidade de exercer influência e controle na gestão da empresa, envolvimento direto nas decisões estratégicas e operacionais da organização e intenção de continuidade do negócio sob o controle da família (Chua et al., 1999; Gomez-Mejia Haynes, Núñez-Nickel, Jacobson & Moyano-Fuentes, 2007; Berrone, Cruz & Gomez-Mejia, 2012; Chrisman, Chua, Pearson, & Barnett, 2012). Desenvolveu-se uma pesquisa qualitativa, sob abordagem interpretativista, por meio da condução de um estudo de caso. A empresa selecionada possui 36 anos de história, está na segunda geração da família e contempla uma estrutura, porte e complexidade demandados para a investigação da folga organizacional. Os dados da pesquisa são provenientes de 35 entrevistas, documentos disponibilizados pela organização, bem como de notas de campo provenientes da observação de estruturas, procedimentos e comportamentos durante os seis meses de contato com o campo. Utilizou-se a técnica de análise do discurso para realizar a descrição e explicação do fenômeno investigado por meio do (i) entendimento do que permeia a organização, (ii) o recorte de fragmentos de diferentes sujeitos, momentos e situações que retratam o fenômeno investigado e (iii) a discussão dos achados com base nas inferências da pesquisa e literatura anterior. O estudo permitiu o entendimento de que a folga organizacional não representa necessariamente um comportamento disfuncional dos sujeitos, ou um problema em termos de desempenho na organização. Pelo contrário, a prática, dentro dos limites considerados aceitáveis pela família proprietária da empresa, é vista como uma alternativa em decisões com alto nível de insegurança ou incerteza, além de estratégica no sentido de preparar e estruturar a organização para o longo prazo. Dentre as contribuições da pesquisa, destacam-se as discussões sobre (i) a perspectiva positiva da folga organizacional, (ii) a autoridade da família na empresa que legitima a prática da folga e define suas delimitações, (iii) a inquietação na organização está na intensidade, na natureza dos recursos, no momento e na forma com que a folga é praticada, e não em sua existência ou não no modelo de gestão, (iv) o reconhecimento da importância de se tratar o tema da folga sob uma perspectiva holística do sistema de controle gerencial, e (v) o benefício de um olhar temporal mais alongado do modelo de gestão que valoriza, além dos aspectos financeiros, o envolvimento emocional e afetivo dos membros da família e dos funcionários em relação à organização. / This dissertation investigated how the organizational slack practice supports a private family business to achieve its financial and non-financial goals. Organizational slack is defined in this research as an availability of resources at a higher level than is strictly necessary to the organization\'s operations (Cyert & March, 1963, Onsi, 1973, Danneels, 2008). Organization slack stems from experiences and future expectations of individuals who need to make decisions in a given social context (Nazarova, 2014). The study took the essence and the socioemotional wealth lens to look at the particularities of the family business. Theses frameworks are summarized in terms of need to exert influence and control over management, the direct involvement in the strategic and operational decisions of the organization, and the intention of business continuity under family control (Chua et al., 1999, Gomez-Mejia, Haynes, Núñez-Nickel, Jacobson, & Moyano-Fuentes, 2007, Berrone, Cruz & Gomez-Mejia, 2012, Chrisman, Chua, Pearson, & Barnett, 2012). A qualitative research was developed through an interpretative approach and conduction of a case study. The selected company has 36 years of history, is in the second generation of the family and contemplates a structure, and complexity required for an investigation about organizational slack. The data were obtained from 35 interviews, internal documents of the organization and the observation of structures, procedures and behaviors during the six months that the researcher was involved in the field. The research used the discourse analysis technique to perform a description and explanation of the investigated phenomenon through (i) understanding what permeates the organization, (ii) take out fragments of different subjects, moments and situations that presents the phenomenon investigated and (iii) discussion of the research findings based on the inferences and previous literature. This study discusses that the organizational slack does not necessarily represents a dysfunctional behavior of organizational subjects, or a problem in terms of performance in the organization. Contrarily, the practice of slack within the limits that are acceptable by the business family owners is seen as an alternative in decisions that involves a high level of insecurity or uncertainty, as well as a meaningless strategy to prepare and structure the organization for the long term. The contributions of the research are highlighted in the discussions related to (i) the positive perspective of the organizational slack, (ii) the family authority in the company which legitimizes the practice of slack and defines its delimitations, (iii) the concern in the organization about the intensity, nature of the resources, moment and form with which the slack is practiced, and not in its existence or not in the management model, (iv) the recognition of the importance of dealing with the issue of slack under a holistic perspective of the management control system, and (v) the benefit of a more extended temporal view at the management model that values, in addition to financial aspects, the emotional and affective involvement of family members and employees with the organization.

Esta tese investigou como a prática da folga organizacional auxilia no alcance dos objetivos financeiros e não financeiros de uma empresa familiar privada. A folga organizacional foi definida na pesquisa como a disponibilidade de recursos a um nível mais elevado do que o estritamente necessário para a operação da organização (Cyert & March, 1963; Onsi, 1973 Danneels, 2008), decorrente das experiências passadas e expectativas futuras dos sujeitos que precisam tomar decisões em determinado contexto social (Nazarova, 2014). As particularidades da empresa familiar compreenderam a essência e a importância da riqueza socioemocional da família nesse tipo de organização; sumarizadas em termos da necessidade de exercer influência e controle na gestão da empresa, envolvimento direto nas decisões estratégicas e operacionais da organização e intenção de continuidade do negócio sob o controle da família (Chua et al., 1999; Gomez-Mejia Haynes, Núñez-Nickel, Jacobson & Moyano-Fuentes, 2007; Berrone, Cruz & Gomez-Mejia, 2012; Chrisman, Chua, Pearson, & Barnett, 2012). Desenvolveu-se uma pesquisa qualitativa, sob abordagem interpretativista, por meio da condução de um estudo de caso. A empresa selecionada possui 36 anos de história, está na segunda geração da família e contempla uma estrutura, porte e complexidade demandados para a investigação da folga organizacional. Os dados da pesquisa são provenientes de 35 entrevistas, documentos disponibilizados pela organização, bem como de notas de campo provenientes da observação de estruturas, procedimentos e comportamentos durante os seis meses de contato com o campo. Utilizou-se a técnica de análise do discurso para realizar a descrição e explicação do fenômeno investigado por meio do (i) entendimento do que permeia a organização, (ii) o recorte de fragmentos de diferentes sujeitos, momentos e situações que retratam o fenômeno investigado e (iii) a discussão dos achados com base nas inferências da pesquisa e literatura anterior. O estudo permitiu o entendimento de que a folga organizacional não representa necessariamente um comportamento disfuncional dos sujeitos, ou um problema em termos de desempenho na organização. Pelo contrário, a prática, dentro dos limites considerados aceitáveis pela família proprietária da empresa, é vista como uma alternativa em decisões com alto nível de insegurança ou incerteza, além de estratégica no sentido de preparar e estruturar a organização para o longo prazo. Dentre as contribuições da pesquisa, destacam-se as discussões sobre (i) a perspectiva positiva da folga organizacional, (ii) a autoridade da família na empresa que legitima a prática da folga e define suas delimitações, (iii) a inquietação na organização está na intensidade, na natureza dos recursos, no momento e na forma com que a folga é praticada, e não em sua existência ou não no modelo de gestão, (iv) o reconhecimento da importância de se tratar o tema da folga sob uma perspectiva holística do sistema de controle gerencial, e (v) o benefício de um olhar temporal mais alongado do modelo de gestão que valoriza, além dos aspectos financeiros, o envolvimento emocional e afetivo dos membros da família e dos funcionários em relação à organização. / This dissertation investigated how the organizational slack practice supports a private family business to achieve its financial and non-financial goals. Organizational slack is defined in this research as an availability of resources at a higher level than is strictly necessary to the organization\'s operations (Cyert & March, 1963, Onsi, 1973, Danneels, 2008). Organization slack stems from experiences and future expectations of individuals who need to make decisions in a given social context (Nazarova, 2014). The study took the essence and the socioemotional wealth lens to look at the particularities of the family business. Theses frameworks are summarized in terms of need to exert influence and control over management, the direct involvement in the strategic and operational decisions of the organization, and the intention of business continuity under family control (Chua et al., 1999, Gomez-Mejia, Haynes, Núñez-Nickel, Jacobson, & Moyano-Fuentes, 2007, Berrone, Cruz & Gomez-Mejia, 2012, Chrisman, Chua, Pearson, & Barnett, 2012). A qualitative research was developed through an interpretative approach and conduction of a case study. The selected company has 36 years of history, is in the second generation of the family and contemplates a structure, and complexity required for an investigation about organizational slack. The data were obtained from 35 interviews, internal documents of the organization and the observation of structures, procedures and behaviors during the six months that the researcher was involved in the field. The research used the discourse analysis technique to perform a description and explanation of the investigated phenomenon through (i) understanding what permeates the organization, (ii) take out fragments of different subjects, moments and situations that presents the phenomenon investigated and (iii) discussion of the research findings based on the inferences and previous literature. This study discusses that the organizational slack does not necessarily represents a dysfunctional behavior of organizational subjects, or a problem in terms of performance in the organization. Contrarily, the practice of slack within the limits that are acceptable by the business family owners is seen as an alternative in decisions that involves a high level of insecurity or uncertainty, as well as a meaningless strategy to prepare and structure the organization for the long term. The contributions of the research are highlighted in the discussions related to (i) the positive perspective of the organizational slack, (ii) the family authority in the company which legitimizes the practice of slack and defines its delimitations, (iii) the concern in the organization about the intensity, nature of the resources, moment and form with which the slack is practiced, and not in its existence or not in the management model, (iv) the recognition of the importance of dealing with the issue of slack under a holistic perspective of the management control system, and (v) the benefit of a more extended temporal view at the management model that values, in addition to financial aspects, the emotional and affective involvement of family members and employees with the organization.

Over the last few years there has been a downturn in business. As a response, many companies have initiated various downsizing activities – often on a short-term financial basis – in order to improve the competitive position of the company. Yet, at the same time, innovation is often cited as the key to long-term success by the very same companies. The central problem examined in this book is whether downsizing and innovation are compatible. The problem was studied during a two year exploratory case research in six cases – selected from a well-defined reference population consisting of 37 companies – facing the exact challenge of simultaneously downsizing and trying to sustain its high level of innovation. The simple answer found in the study is yes. Companies can simultaneously downsize and still maintain a high level of innovation, but it is difficult and challenging and it depends on the company’s ability to handle the knowledge creation process. So what is needed? Create an understanding in the company, at all levels, that balancing knowledge creation – the ability to share and transfer knowledge – is one of the most important tasks in order to remain innovative over time. This is done by building a commitment to knowledge creation. This commitment is achieved through making knowledge creation a visible and central element of the strategic intent, and organizing the company so that ideas can be generated and generalized. Examples of activities include: At an organizational level there is a need to create boundary spanning activities to facilitate knowledge creation between various part of the organization, but also to other organizations. At a top management level shared visions and values need to be created; exemplified in words and action. Important is that the top management not get involved into micro-management. Avoid cutting-down on initial activities – where visualization and brainstorming are in focus – in projects aiming for innovation, as these activities are the foundations the rest of the project. This book is useful for those who are faced with the challenge of finding a balance between short-term activities, often focusing on downsizing, and the more long-term activity of being innovative. / Diss. Stockholm : Handelshögskolan, 2004

A relação entre o Grau de Internacionalização (GI) e o desempenho das empresas multinacionais (EMNs) tem sido amplamente estudada na literatura de negócios internacionais. Entretanto, a maior parte dos estudos é realizada com empresas dos países desenvolvidos. De modo a contribuir com o desenvolvimento da teoria de internacionalização-desempenho, o presente estudo analisou essa relação no universo das EMNs de economias em desenvolvimento: Brasil, Rússia, Índia, China e África do Sul (BRICS). O principal objetivo do trabalho foi analisar se a estratégia de expansão internacional dessas EMNs está sendo traduzida em forma de eficiência e eficácia na gestão do negócio da empresa. O modelo hipotético do trabalho considera duas variáveis moderadoras da relação internacionalizaçãodesempenho: (1) Folga Organizacional (FO); e (2) Intensidade de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento (IP&D). A amostra do estudo corresponde a 219 EMNs dos países integrantes dos BRICS, sendo que as informações levantadas referem-se a um período de 9 anos (2002-2010), totalizando 834 pares de observações para cada variável presente no modelo. Os dados foram obtidos junto a duas fontes: (1) Compustat Data; e (2) Thomson One. Após análises de regressão múltipla, utilizando o método dos Mínimos Quadrados Ordinários (MQO), verificou-se uma relação não linear quadrática em forma de \"U\" entre o grau de internacionalização e o desempenho das EMNs dos países integrantes dos BRICS. Adicionalmente, os resultados mostram um positivo e significante efeito moderador da FO sobre a relação internacionalização-desempenho, entretanto, o mesmo não se verificou para a IP&D. Duas importantes implicações deste estudo para os gestores de negócios internacionais nas regiões dos BRICS é que: (1) os benefícios da expansão internacional não surgem de uma hora pra outra, mas exigem paciência para serem alcançados; (2) os gestores devem enxergar a FO como uma ferramenta estratégica de atuação no contexto internacional. Com base nos resultados encontrados, implicações e indicações para futuras pesquisas são fornecidas. / The relationship between the degree of internationalization and performance of multinational companies (MNCs) has been widely studied in the literature of international business. However, most studies are conducted with companies from developed countries. In order to contribute to the development of the theory of internationalization-performance, this study examined this relationship in the universe of MNCs in developing economies: Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS). The main objective of this study was to analyze the strategy of international expansion of these MNCs is being translated in the form of efficiency and effectiveness in managing the company\'s business. The hypothetical model of the work considers two moderating variables of internationalization-performance relationship: (1) Organizational Slack (OS); and (2) Research and Development Intensity (R&DI). Sample corresponds 219 MNCs from BRICS countries, and collected data refers to 2002-2010 period, totaling 834 pairs of observations for each variable in the model. Data were obtained from two sources: (1) Compustat Data; and (2) Thomson One. Multiple regression analysis, using Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) method, showed a U-Shaped curvilinear relationship between the degree of internationalization and performance in MNCs from BRICS countries. Additionally, results show a positive and significant moderating effect of FO on internationalization-performance relationship, however, the same was not true for R&DI. Two important implications of this study for managers of international business in the regions of the BRICS is that: (1) the benefits from international expansion require patience to achieve; and (2) managers must see FO as strategic tool for performance in an international context. Based on the findings, implications and directions for future research are provided.

A relação entre o Grau de Internacionalização (GI) e o desempenho das empresas multinacionais (EMNs) tem sido amplamente estudada na literatura de negócios internacionais. Entretanto, a maior parte dos estudos é realizada com empresas dos países desenvolvidos. De modo a contribuir com o desenvolvimento da teoria de internacionalização-desempenho, o presente estudo analisou essa relação no universo das EMNs de economias em desenvolvimento: Brasil, Rússia, Índia, China e África do Sul (BRICS). O principal objetivo do trabalho foi analisar se a estratégia de expansão internacional dessas EMNs está sendo traduzida em forma de eficiência e eficácia na gestão do negócio da empresa. O modelo hipotético do trabalho considera duas variáveis moderadoras da relação internacionalizaçãodesempenho: (1) Folga Organizacional (FO); e (2) Intensidade de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento (IP&D). A amostra do estudo corresponde a 219 EMNs dos países integrantes dos BRICS, sendo que as informações levantadas referem-se a um período de 9 anos (2002-2010), totalizando 834 pares de observações para cada variável presente no modelo. Os dados foram obtidos junto a duas fontes: (1) Compustat Data; e (2) Thomson One. Após análises de regressão múltipla, utilizando o método dos Mínimos Quadrados Ordinários (MQO), verificou-se uma relação não linear quadrática em forma de \"U\" entre o grau de internacionalização e o desempenho das EMNs dos países integrantes dos BRICS. Adicionalmente, os resultados mostram um positivo e significante efeito moderador da FO sobre a relação internacionalização-desempenho, entretanto, o mesmo não se verificou para a IP&D. Duas importantes implicações deste estudo para os gestores de negócios internacionais nas regiões dos BRICS é que: (1) os benefícios da expansão internacional não surgem de uma hora pra outra, mas exigem paciência para serem alcançados; (2) os gestores devem enxergar a FO como uma ferramenta estratégica de atuação no contexto internacional. Com base nos resultados encontrados, implicações e indicações para futuras pesquisas são fornecidas. / The relationship between the degree of internationalization and performance of multinational companies (MNCs) has been widely studied in the literature of international business. However, most studies are conducted with companies from developed countries. In order to contribute to the development of the theory of internationalization-performance, this study examined this relationship in the universe of MNCs in developing economies: Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS). The main objective of this study was to analyze the strategy of international expansion of these MNCs is being translated in the form of efficiency and effectiveness in managing the company\'s business. The hypothetical model of the work considers two moderating variables of internationalization-performance relationship: (1) Organizational Slack (OS); and (2) Research and Development Intensity (R&DI). Sample corresponds 219 MNCs from BRICS countries, and collected data refers to 2002-2010 period, totaling 834 pairs of observations for each variable in the model. Data were obtained from two sources: (1) Compustat Data; and (2) Thomson One. Multiple regression analysis, using Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) method, showed a U-Shaped curvilinear relationship between the degree of internationalization and performance in MNCs from BRICS countries. Additionally, results show a positive and significant moderating effect of FO on internationalization-performance relationship, however, the same was not true for R&DI. Two important implications of this study for managers of international business in the regions of the BRICS is that: (1) the benefits from international expansion require patience to achieve; and (2) managers must see FO as strategic tool for performance in an international context. Based on the findings, implications and directions for future research are provided.

本論文基於尋求解釋權變觀點長久以來存在的問題：『為何實證上配適對績效影響一直沒有一個一致性的定論(mixed empirical support)』，因為根據權變觀點的主張『組織效能決定於組織的特徵(例如：策略、組織結構)與組織所處的情境是否配適(fit)，當兩者配適時則組織會產生較佳的績效』，所以企業追求配適，績效將愈高。由於配適概念具有績效意涵，因此配適在許多理論建構過程中，扮演重要的角色，例如：國際企業領域著名的折衷理論(Eclectic theory)，所以當權變觀點的核心主張『配適有助於提升績效』在實證上不一定成立時，則會影響理論的建構與發展。 為了解配適概念在實證上遇到的問題，本論文透過三個研究進行分析。在第一個研究，本論文針對權變觀點的文獻進行系統性的整理，並採用統合分析(meta-analysis)探討配適與績效的關係。研究結果顯示，配適對績效的效果量(effect size)為正，說明權變觀點的核心主張依舊成立，組織追求配適確實可以產生正向的績效。而影響實證結果不一致的原因則來自於配適的定義與衡量方法、衡量配適的變數個數、以及是否採用時間落差(time lag)三項干擾因子，呼應Venkatraman(1989)的主張。 接下來，第二個研究本論文採用質性個案研究的方式，探討配適與績效的關係。研究過程中結合動態能力(Dynamic Capability)的概念，透過企業在不同成長階段的營運活動分析，觀察企業如何追求配適、如何調整與轉換既有的配適構型、以及追求配適對企業經營產生哪些影響。第一個研究發現與企業追求配適有關，企業追求配適的前提，必須先擁有有價值的核心優勢(例如：製造、產品開發)，並以該核心優勢為中心，透過不同價值活動的緊密配合與組合，建立初期的配適構型(configuration)。第二個研究發現與配適的調整與轉換有關，發現為：(1)當企業成功創造初期的配適構型後，企業內部開始產生餘裕資源；(2)隨著企業價值活動的強化，前期的暫時性核心優勢會逐漸轉變為長期性的核心優勢；(3)透過創業家精神與策略更新，企業開始運用餘裕資源構築多核心優勢的配適構型。第三個研究發現與配適對企業經營之影響有關，發現如下：(1)企業建構配適構型時，當價值活動間關係愈緊密、複雜時，愈容易形成阻隔機制，競爭優勢愈能持久；(2)透過阻隔機制(isolating mechanisms)效果的發揮，以及時間壓縮的不經濟(time compression diseconomies)效果，可增加模仿的困難度並拉開與競爭對手之間的距離，創造績效。 第三個研究則承接研究一與研究二的部分結論，透過實證重新驗證配適與績效的關係，同時對於文獻上餘裕資源效果的爭論提出解釋。研究結果發現：(1)當企業內部存在互補的企業專屬資源以及擁有豐富產業經驗的高階管理團隊，則運用餘裕資源創造配適的效率愈高；(2)藉由調整TMT管理團隊的組成方式可以有效避免管理者的代理問題，增加運用餘裕資源創造配適的效率；(3)當企業運用餘裕資源創造配適的效率愈高，則企業運用資產獲利的能力愈強，企業績效也愈高。 總結來說，本論文從實證上配適與績效關係不一致的現象出發，對於實證結果不一致的原因提出說明，並且透過質性個案研究的方式，了解企業追求配適的過程及配適的效果，最後，藉由實證的方式，重新驗證配適與績效的關係，並且為企業如何有效運用餘裕資源提供具體的建議。 / This thesis aims to interpret the long existing question in contingency theory: mixed empirical support, i.e., no consistency can be found in the empirical relationship between fit and performance. This is intriguing, since according to contingency theory, organizational effectiveness is dependent on the fit between an organization’s characteristics (such as strategy and structure) and its existing circumstances, and with such a fit, the organization will have a better performance. Consequently, firms that pursue fit will achieve better performances. Since the concept of fit includes implications on performance, fit plays an important role in the development of many theories, e.g., the well-known eclectic theory. Hence, when contingency theory’s core proposition of fit is conducive to performance becomes fallible, overall theory construction and development will be affected. To further understand the fit issue, three studies are conducted in this thesis. For the first study, contingency theory literature was systematically studied and meta-analyzed with a special focus on the relationship between fit and performance. The findings show that fit has a positive effect size on performance which supports the core proposition of contingency theory in which organizational pursuit of fit does lead to positive performance. The reason for mixed empirical supports originates from three interference indicators of fit measurement methodology, number of variables, and whether the use of time lag. This finding echoes Venkatraman’s (1989) viewpoint. Next, a second study was conducted using qualitative approach to further explore the relationship between fit and performance. By integrating the concept of dynamic capability into the study, the researcher, by analyzing business operation activities in different stages of firm growth, observed how businesses pursued fit, how existing fit configurations were adjusted or changed, and what effects were created through the pursuit of fit in a firm. Three major study findings were identified. Firstly, in terms of how businesses pursue fit, a pre-requisite is that businesses must possess valuable core competences (e.g., manufacturing, R&D) and, by closely combining and coordinating different value activities to these core competences, initial fit configurations are built. Secondly, in terms of adjusting and changing fit, the findings include: (1) with the business’ initial successful fit configuration, slack is produced within the business; (2) as the business strengthens its value activities, previous temporary core competences will gradually transform into long-term core competences; and (3) through entrepreneurship and strategic renewal, the business will utilize its slack create a fit configuration of multiple core competences. Lastly, effects of fit on business management includes: (1) in the process constructing a business’ fit mechanisms, as the relationship between value activities become closer and more complex, isolating mechanisms are more easily formed, leading to more sustainable competitive advantages; and (2) by capitalizing on isolating mechanisms and time compression diseconomies, imitation become more difficult and the distance between competitors are widened, thereby creating performance. The third study adopted the findings of the previous two studies to empirically re-examine the relationship between fit and performance, while also proposing an explanation to the slack resource debate found in past literature. The research findings include: (1) when a business possesses complementary proprietary resources and highly experienced top management team (TMT), it enjoys a higher success rate of using slack resources to create fit exists; (2) agency costs can be reduced and increase in the efficiency of slack resource utilization to create fit can be achieved by adjusting the configuration of the TMT; and (3) with a higher rate of fit achievement through slack resource utilization comes stronger abilities to generate profits from business assets as well as a higher performance rate. In conclusion, this thesis started off by providing an explanation to the empirical inconsistency between fit and performance. Moving along, the researcher then used the qualitative case study research method to explore the process of businesses’ pursuit of fit and the effects of fit. Lastly, with an empirical study, the relationship between fit and performance is re-examined and specific suggestions are provided on effective business utilization of slack resources.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-03-15T19:31:17Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Andre Fernandes Lima.pdf: 717720 bytes, checksum: e1002c943e6cd65b97220bcb149117a4 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009-02-04 / Fundo Mackenzie de Pesquisa / This dissertation aims to investigate the existence of a causal relationship between levels of organizational slack, the risk of the company and its performance. The point of departure is the conjecture that the magnitude of the organizational slack is a determinant factor of the risk as well as the performance of the company. The importance of this piece of research lies on the empirical fact that owners of a company are willing to take risks based on the prospect of returns. In order to test the causal relationship, it proceeds as follows. First, it collects data from 218 manufacturing companies in the period 2001-2007 and combines part of it through factor analysis so as to compose the three types of organizational slack: available, recoverable and potential ones. Second, the data is arranged in the form of a panel and is next assessed by the generalized method of moments (GMM). The results support the validity of the two proposed models: the first takes risk as the dependent variable, while the second takes future performance. The findings corroborate the hypothesis that the organizational slack has a nonlinear influence on risk and performance. In addition, they shed light on the increased robustness of the second model relative to the first one. This is regarded as the second contribution of the dissertation provided that most literature emphasizes the influence of the organizational slack over risk neglecting its role in performance. We go on to claim that the little attention paid to performance contributes to the available inconclusive empirical results within the literature. / O objetivo do trabalho é investigar a existência de uma relação causal entre os níveis organizacionais de folga, o risco da empresa e seu desempenho. O ponto de partida é a conjectura de que a magnitude da folga organizacional é fator determinante do risco representado pela empresa, bem como de seu desempenho. A importância desta pesquisa recai sobre o fato empírico de que os proprietários da empresa estão dispostos a se expor a riscos com base na perspectiva de retorno. Para testar esta relação causal são considerados dados de 218 empresas manufatureiras no período 2001-2007, sendo parte destes dados agrupados através de análise fatorial, de forma a compor os três tipos de folga organizacional considerados: disponível, recuperável e potencial. Em seguida, os dados são dispostos na forma de painel e, então, analisados através do método dos momentos generalizados (GMM), o que constitui uma contribuição original. Os resultados obtidos suportam a validade de dois modelos propostos, o primeiro em que o risco é variável dependente, e o segundo em que a variável dependente é o desempenho futuro, corroborando a hipótese de que a folga organizacional exerce influência não linear sobre o risco e o desempenho. Adicionalmente, verifica-se que o modelo de desempenho futuro é mais robusto, sendo esta a segunda contribuição da pesquisa. Isso decorre do fato de que grande parte da literatura enfatiza a influência da folga organizacional sobre o risco, negligenciando sua significância sobre o desempenho. Argumenta-se aqui que tais práticas implicaram em resultados empíricos não conclusivos na literatura.