This thesis investigates the influence of firms’ internal and external environmental factors upon their adoption of HRIS behaviour (i.e., the variation between adopters and non-adopters) and the level of implementation of HRIS applications and its effectiveness. An integrated conceptual framework was developed for the factors that determine the organisation’s adoption and the level of practice of HRIS applications. This framework integrates ideas and elements from the Diffusion of innovation Theory (DOI) and technology organization environment (TOE) model, the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) and the IT studies in the area of HRM. Data were collected through structured-directed interviews with 236 respondents. The survey units were the shareholding companies in Jordan, and the key single respondents approach was employed. The findings of the study support that internal and external environmental factors are related not only to adoption of HRIS behaviour (i.e., the difference between adopters and non-adopters), but also to the level of implementing of HRIS applications. In comparison to each environmental dimension acting alone, the integration approach of the two internal and external dimensions gives better explanation not only of the prediction of the level of implementing of HRIS applications, but also of the prediction of adoption behaviour. Therefore, a better understanding of adoption of HRIS behaviour and the level of implementing of HRIS applications requires that firms’ environmental factors be viewed as whole (i.e., the interaction of the internal and external dimension) rather than being isolated fragments (i.e., only a single dimension). The current research contributes to the existing body of knowledge by enhancing current understanding of the organisational adoption of HRIS, which is an under-researched area in Jordan as a developing country. By employing analytical tools based on Rogers’s Innovation Diffusion Theory , UTAUT, TOE , and the findings of empirical studies of IT adoption, evidence confirms that the adoption of HRIS in the business organisations depends largely on interaction of internal and external environmental factors and the findings support the need for an integrated view of the adoption phenomenon. In that respect, this study also attempts to make an important theoretical contribution towards articulating differences in the determinants of adoption and the level of implementations of HRIS applications and its effectiveness.

This study strives to investigate why some small and medium enterprises (SMEs) from Northeast Italy internationalize at inception and some internationalize gradually. The main literature regarding both, Born Globals and Stage-Models, were reviewed. In face of a high degree of fragmentation in the Born Global literature the study was developed through an abductive logic of reasoning. This basically means that we started by clustering already accepted internal and external factors, working then, towards a unified explanation. A qualitative study was developed with four SMEs. The main results show that no factor can singularly drive a company to internationalize at inception. Instead, the interaction of internal and external factors determines how SMEs internationalize. The findings provide empirical insights on the internationalization behavior of SMEs and redress the apparent theoretical gap in this field.

AbstractTitleEntry mode decision for Swedish business-to-business firms internationalizing to India. AuthorsJesper Mårtensson, Joep van den BrinkSubjectMaster Thesis in International Marketing KeywordsInternationalization, Entry Mode, BRIC-markets, Internal & External Factors, Effectuation & Causation. Question(s)How do internal and external factors influence the entry mode decision for Swedish business-to-businessfirms internationalizing to India?How can the entry mode decision process be characterized for Swedish business-to-businessfirms when internationalizing to India?How does the entry mode, used by Swedish business-to-business firms in India, follows the Transaction Cost Approach to entry modes and the Resource Based Approach to entry modes?PurposeThe purpose of this study is to get a deeper understanding of how internal and external factors influence the entry mode decision forSwedish business-to-business firms that internationalize to India. Furthermore, the study aims at bringing in a process-based view of the entry mode decision literature.The study also aims to investigate entry modes used in India to see how it followsthe recommendations of the transaction cost and the Resource Based explanation to entry mode choice. MethodQualitative multiple case study consisting of three cases. The data was collected through personal interviews. The cases have been analyzed using a within-case analysis and a cross-case analysis.ConclusionThe findings of our study show that firms evaluate just a few internal and external factors when internationalizing to India. As can be derived from our study, the product has an importantinfluence on the entry mode decision for the investigated firms. The more standardized a product is, the easier it is to penetrate the Indian market using low-control entry modes. The higher the complexity of the product, the more knowledge is required from the firm and thus, the higher the likelihood for a firm to internationalize to the Indian market using high-control entry modes. It is also shown that firms tend to rely on earlier experiences when internationalizing to India, whereas this could limit the firms for choosing the right entry mode. Furthermore, the specific market barriers for the Indian market have an influence on the entry mode decision as well. It is also found that firms that have a causational approach to foreign entry mode will not allow for a rapid switch in the level of foreign involvement before they have reliable information as a base for the decision. The firms with an effectual approach made their entry mode decision based on selecting an entry mode with low resource commitment, seeing their achieved turnovers in India as a bonus. / Master in International Marketing

Att skapa en god balans mellan arbete och fritid kan vara problematiskt då dygnets timmar inte alltid räcker till. Syftet med studien var därför att undersöka hur arbetande kvinnor med hemmavarande barn upplevde balansen, vilka strategier de använde sig av och vilka yttre faktorer som underlättade för dessa strategier. Genom en kvalitativ datainsamling och en intervjuguide som grund utfördes 8 semistrukturerade intervjuer med kvinnor i åldern 31-41 år. Det insamlade materialet transkriberades och en tematisk analys genomfördes. Totalt identifierades sex teman, varav tre beskrev strategier och tre beskrev yttre faktorer. Resultatet visade att kvinnors strategier för att balansera vardagen handlade om planering och förberedelse, tidssparande och bortprioriteringar. De yttre underlättande faktorer som fanns var ekonomiska förutsättningar, socialt nätverk samt arbetsgivarens betydelse och arbetets flexibilitet. Oavsett hur balansen upplevdes använde sig kvinnorna av liknande strategier och därför sågs de yttre faktorerna vara betydelsefulla för att uppnå balans mellan arbete och fritid.

Motivation: In the Sub-Saharan Africa countries there are several factors contributing to the collapse of firms. Most firms have failed due to poor corporate governance practices. The recent collapse of some firms in the financial and non-financial sectors in the Sub-region shows that there are challenges hindering effective corporate governance of firms in the Subregion. Consequently, this study uses empirical evidence to identify views about the important components of good corporate governance practice for listed firms: institutional characteristics; the board of directors; and the effects of external factors. Research question: The pertinent research question that this study addresses is the identification of the components that are essential for good corporate governance of firms in the Sub-region. This study tries to prioritise the components. Methodology: Data were collected by questionnaire administered to stakeholders of corporate governance of listed firms in Ghana, Nigeria and South Africa. Regression is used to estimate the relationship between institutional characteristic, responsibilities of the board of directors and external factors on corporate governance system. Main findings: 1. Enforcement, disclosure, transparency and regulatory frameworks may be necessary to improve corporate governance practice in all the countries in the Sub-region (SSAA). 2. There is evidence that commitment of board members to disclosure and communication may provide effective corporate governance practice. 3. Board duality (separation of role between chairman and CEO) is likely to hinder corporate governance practices. 4. We found that in all the countries in the Sub-region accounting system plays a major role to promote sound corporate governance practice. However, the political environment, societal and cultural factor, corruption, and economic factors such as macro-economic policies may hinder corporate governance practices.Policy recommendations: This study recommends that corporate governance stakeholders should adopt a whistle blowing method and also that institutional bodies should be more prudent in monitoring of rules and laws with stringent penalties. In addition, there should be adequate information and disclosure on the rights and obligation of the shareholder of firms in the sub-region region. There is need to increase the number and role of independent directors, increase the use of advisory vote by shareholders on executive compensation and facilitation of shareholders activism. Furthermore, there is a need to have autonomous regulatory bodies and supervisory agencies free from any political/ government interference in the implementation of the Code and Guideline of corporate governance. The regulatory bodies and the supervisory agencies should be manned or be under the leadership of people of goodwill, good character and trust. The Code or Guideline of corporate governance of Sub-Saharan Africa Anglophone countries should take cognisance of and be aligned with socio-cultural environment of the countries in the Sub-region.

In recent years, e-commerce has grown and spread to different markets. One of these markets is the toy market. This growth has created a need of expanding the loyalty research to the context of e-commerce. The purpose of this thesis is to contribute to the understanding of the concept loyalty by identifying what loyalty building factors in Swedish online toyshops matters to the customer and how the customers utilize the factors. The collection method was semi-structured group interviews in order to explore the respondents’ experiences with online toyshops in Sweden. The findings suggest that eight factors influences loyalty in online toyshops. The factors were divided into internal- and external factors. The internal factors consist of convenience and children’s involvement. The external factors are product brand image, website attributes, delivery, service quality and security concerns. These external factors were found to affect company brand image. Depending on the customers’ preferences the factors are playing different roles in the customers’ life. The limitations of the study are few participants, risk of being biased because of the theory and many interpretations of the empirical material. The practical implication is that the companies can use the findings to understand their customers and that a theoretical development has been made. The original value of the study is that this kind of research has not been made in the context of online toyshops before, in the best of our knowledge.

Abstract Purpose - The purpose of this research aims to explore the consumers’ behaviors in multicultural context, for low product involvement. Design/Methodology/Approach - Researchers of this study had chosen a qualitative research which is in accordance with the purpose. Eight interviews were led with respondents from seven different nationalities having lived in multicultural environment. The goal was to analyze which behaviors come up when consumers are guided by six particular external and internal factors in their consumption (namely culture, reference groups, situational factors, personal needs and motives, attitudes and consumer orientation towards multiculturalism). Findings - Firstly, findings showed that consumers are guided in their behavior by the six mentioned factors in multicultural context for low product involvement. Secondly, six consumers’ behaviors, guided by external and internal factors, have been found during this research. Research limitations/Implications - As this research is qualitative, not all the aspects of the topic were explored. Another exploratory research could be led to detect other behaviors or other factors guiding consumers’ behaviors in multicultural context. There is also a need for a quantitative research in order to confirmed findings. Thus thanks to this study, marketers have now a broader view on consumers’ behaviors in multicultural context, especially for low product involvement. Originality/Value - This study is one of the first research conducted about consumers’ behaviors in multicultural context. Researchers deepened the existing literature by exploring and bringing possible consumers’ behavior’ in multicultural context for low product involvement. Existing literature was not as specific as this one concerning factors guiding consumers’ behaviors in multicultural context, as well as concerning low product involvement.

O propósito desta tese é analisar e sistematizar os principais elementos determinantes internos e externos às empresas para o acúmulo de capacidade tecnológica em empresas do setor de bens de capital no Brasil. Para alcançar os objetivos propostos realizou-se um estudo descritivo-exploratório, de abordagem qualitativa, junto a 44 empresas do setor de bens de capital mecânico, localizadas na região sudeste do Brasil. A escolha desse tema justifica-se pela necessidade de um maior esforço analítico sobre o processo de acumulação de capacidade tecnológica em empresas do setor de bens de capital no Brasil. O desdobramento em elementos internos e externos possibilitou a avaliação dos esforços internos realizados pelas empresas e as limitações postas pelos condicionantes externos que atuam no processo de acúmulo de capacidade tecnológica. Os resultados mostram que em todas as dimensões analisadas as características apresentadas condicionam as empresas a uma baixa competitividade, seja por preço ou por diferenciação tecnológica. Do ponto de vista dos elementos internos é crucial que as empresas se engajem em processos contínuos de aprendizagem para a construção e acúmulo de sua capacidade tecnológica. Do ponto de vista dos elementos externos, estes exercem forte influência nos processos de acumulo de capacidade tecnológica por criarem condições desfavoráveis para investimentos, em particular, aqueles realizados com atividades com longo prazo de retorno, como as de P&D e inovação. / The purpose of this thesis is to analyze and systematize the major internal and external determinants to companies for technological capability accumulation in capital goods sector companies in Brazil. To achieve the proposed objectives there was a descriptive exploratory study with a qualitative approach, along with 44 companies of the mechanical capital goods sector, located in southeastern Brazil. The choice of this theme is justified by the need for greater analytical effort on the technological capability accumulation process in capital goods sector companies in Brazil. The breakdown in internal and external elements enabled the evaluation of internal efforts of companies and the limitations posed by external constraints operating in the technological capability accumulation process. The results show that in all dimensions analyzed the characteristics presented drive companies to low competitiveness, either by price or technological differentiation. From the point of view of internal elements is crucial that companies engage in continuous learning processes for the construction and accumulation of technological capacity. From the point of view of the external elements, they exert strong influence on the accumulation processes of technological capacity for creating favorable conditions for investments, in particular those made with activities with long-term return, such as R&D and innovation.

In recent years climate change has increasingly been considered as a threat to international peace and security. This thesis examines how the framing and agenda setting of climate change as a threat has changed in Sweden after the Cold war. By using an explanatory model and focusing on external factors, such as international events and Swedish international identity, the thesis seeks to develop a greater understanding of how external factors effect national framing and agenda setting of climate change. The thesis concludes that military threats does not prevent climate change for being considered a security threat, and that a greater European identity may cause less focus on military insecurity and more focus on alternative threats.

O propósito desta tese é analisar e sistematizar os principais elementos determinantes internos e externos às empresas para o acúmulo de capacidade tecnológica em empresas do setor de bens de capital no Brasil. Para alcançar os objetivos propostos realizou-se um estudo descritivo-exploratório, de abordagem qualitativa, junto a 44 empresas do setor de bens de capital mecânico, localizadas na região sudeste do Brasil. A escolha desse tema justifica-se pela necessidade de um maior esforço analítico sobre o processo de acumulação de capacidade tecnológica em empresas do setor de bens de capital no Brasil. O desdobramento em elementos internos e externos possibilitou a avaliação dos esforços internos realizados pelas empresas e as limitações postas pelos condicionantes externos que atuam no processo de acúmulo de capacidade tecnológica. Os resultados mostram que em todas as dimensões analisadas as características apresentadas condicionam as empresas a uma baixa competitividade, seja por preço ou por diferenciação tecnológica. Do ponto de vista dos elementos internos é crucial que as empresas se engajem em processos contínuos de aprendizagem para a construção e acúmulo de sua capacidade tecnológica. Do ponto de vista dos elementos externos, estes exercem forte influência nos processos de acumulo de capacidade tecnológica por criarem condições desfavoráveis para investimentos, em particular, aqueles realizados com atividades com longo prazo de retorno, como as de P&D e inovação. / The purpose of this thesis is to analyze and systematize the major internal and external determinants to companies for technological capability accumulation in capital goods sector companies in Brazil. To achieve the proposed objectives there was a descriptive exploratory study with a qualitative approach, along with 44 companies of the mechanical capital goods sector, located in southeastern Brazil. The choice of this theme is justified by the need for greater analytical effort on the technological capability accumulation process in capital goods sector companies in Brazil. The breakdown in internal and external elements enabled the evaluation of internal efforts of companies and the limitations posed by external constraints operating in the technological capability accumulation process. The results show that in all dimensions analyzed the characteristics presented drive companies to low competitiveness, either by price or technological differentiation. From the point of view of internal elements is crucial that companies engage in continuous learning processes for the construction and accumulation of technological capacity. From the point of view of the external elements, they exert strong influence on the accumulation processes of technological capacity for creating favorable conditions for investments, in particular those made with activities with long-term return, such as R&D and innovation.