The research question addressed by the study asks, "Is international integration strategic and departmental structural fit a predictor of performance in U.S.-based, single-business multinational organizations?" The study is designed to extend existing research in international integration strategy, which is often called "global strategy," "globalization," or "internationalization" in the popular press and academic research literature.

Diplomová práce se zabývá analýzou mezinárodního úspěchu společnosti Starbucks. Příčiny tohoto bezprecedentního úspěchu jsou nejprve detekovány ve vnějších faktorech a v odvětví samotném. Následuje pozorování strategických kroků společnosti od založení až po mezinárodní expanzi a podrobná deskripce interních praktik společnosti. V analytické části je pak vymezen a aplikován model, který byl vyvinut na Bocconské univerzitě v Miláně. Jednotlivé předpoklady modelu jsou porovnávány s postupem společnosti Starbucks. Vyhodnocením shodností a odlišností reality a modelu se pak dochází k závěrům, které vysvětlují příčiny extrémně pozitivních výsledků společnosti Starbucks a její schopnosti přeměnit stagnující neatraktivní odvětví na lukrativní obor s vysokými maržemi.

Small and medium-sized enterprises are the foundation of Taiwan¡¦s Enterprises. With their flexible and efficiency manufacturing characteristics, SMEs are the most contributors for Taiwan¡¦s economic growth. In the past, most Taiwanese firms focus on OEM or ODM business. But in recent years, the growing wages caused manufacturing cost raise and Taiwanese firms faced the threat of severe global manufacturing competition. The situation has become increasingly difficult for many companies in Taiwan to stay in business. To build an own brand becomes an important strategy for Taiwan companies. This study explores the international branding strategy of Taiwanese enterprise. A qualitative case study approach was employed in this study to study six Taiwanese firms which attempt to build their brands in the international market. The result shows that (1) In order to quickly respond to environmental needs, the integration of internal resources (evaluate core capability) and the analyzation of external environment (market size) are required. (2) Entry mode: In order to lower the risk, Taiwanese firms prefer to cooperate with local companies instead of foreign direct investment, unless the market size is big enough. (3) Operational strategy: Unlike other global brand, Taiwan brand developed a unique business model. (4) International organization: Headquarter and branch must coordinate and build two-way communication to deliver a consistent brand value.

Thesis (Ph.D.) - University of St Andrews, January 2008.

Esta tese tem por objetivo analisar comparativamente a competitividade internacional dos setores moveleiro brasileiro e alemão entre 2001 e 2011 a partir das estratégias de internacionalização de suas empresas e do papel diplomático dos respectivos Estados no apoio a este processo. A opção pela Alemanha se deve à relativa semelhança entre a indústria de móveis de ambos os países no que tange as respectivas participações relativas no consumo e produção mundiais. Já em relação ao comércio internacional o país germânico apresenta dados em muito superiores aos do Brasil, além de ter registrado crescimento nas exportações no mesmo período em que as vendas brasileiras ao exterior apresentaram forte declínio. Diante desta constatação, questiona-se acerca dos fatores que permitiram à Alemanha ter um desempenho tão positivo, se comparado ao brasileiro, nos dez anos da pesquisa. Para investigar as estratégias empresariais e as ações diplomáticas adotadas pelo Brasil e Alemanha, foi conduzida pesquisa exploratória junto ao setor moveleiro de cada país e, à luz de conceitos teóricos revisitados e melhores práticas identificadas, foram propostas ações públicas e estratégias no âmbito privado visando ampliar as exportações brasileiras do setor. / This thesis aims to comparatively analyze the international competitiveness of Brazilian and German furniture industries between 2001 and 2011 from the internationalization strategies of their companies and the diplomatic role of the respective States in supporting this process. The choice for Germany is due to the relative similarity between the furniture industry of both countries regarding their relative shares in world consumption and production. In relation to international trade, however, Germany presents data much higher than those of Brazil, and has registered growth in exports in the same period in which Brazilian sales abroad showed a strong decline. Considering that, one wonders about the factors that allowed Germany to have such a positive performance, compared to Brazil, in the ten years of research. To investigate business strategies and diplomatic actions taken by Brazil and Germany, an exploratory research with the furniture sector in each country was conducted and, in light of theoretical concepts revisited and best practices identified, public actions and business were proposed to expand Brazilian exports of the sector.

Esta tese tem por objetivo analisar comparativamente a competitividade internacional dos setores moveleiro brasileiro e alemão entre 2001 e 2011 a partir das estratégias de internacionalização de suas empresas e do papel diplomático dos respectivos Estados no apoio a este processo. A opção pela Alemanha se deve à relativa semelhança entre a indústria de móveis de ambos os países no que tange as respectivas participações relativas no consumo e produção mundiais. Já em relação ao comércio internacional o país germânico apresenta dados em muito superiores aos do Brasil, além de ter registrado crescimento nas exportações no mesmo período em que as vendas brasileiras ao exterior apresentaram forte declínio. Diante desta constatação, questiona-se acerca dos fatores que permitiram à Alemanha ter um desempenho tão positivo, se comparado ao brasileiro, nos dez anos da pesquisa. Para investigar as estratégias empresariais e as ações diplomáticas adotadas pelo Brasil e Alemanha, foi conduzida pesquisa exploratória junto ao setor moveleiro de cada país e, à luz de conceitos teóricos revisitados e melhores práticas identificadas, foram propostas ações públicas e estratégias no âmbito privado visando ampliar as exportações brasileiras do setor. / This thesis aims to comparatively analyze the international competitiveness of Brazilian and German furniture industries between 2001 and 2011 from the internationalization strategies of their companies and the diplomatic role of the respective States in supporting this process. The choice for Germany is due to the relative similarity between the furniture industry of both countries regarding their relative shares in world consumption and production. In relation to international trade, however, Germany presents data much higher than those of Brazil, and has registered growth in exports in the same period in which Brazilian sales abroad showed a strong decline. Considering that, one wonders about the factors that allowed Germany to have such a positive performance, compared to Brazil, in the ten years of research. To investigate business strategies and diplomatic actions taken by Brazil and Germany, an exploratory research with the furniture sector in each country was conducted and, in light of theoretical concepts revisited and best practices identified, public actions and business were proposed to expand Brazilian exports of the sector.

Esta tese tem por objetivo analisar comparativamente a competitividade internacional dos setores moveleiro brasileiro e alemão entre 2001 e 2011 a partir das estratégias de internacionalização de suas empresas e do papel diplomático dos respectivos Estados no apoio a este processo. A opção pela Alemanha se deve à relativa semelhança entre a indústria de móveis de ambos os países no que tange as respectivas participações relativas no consumo e produção mundiais. Já em relação ao comércio internacional o país germânico apresenta dados em muito superiores aos do Brasil, além de ter registrado crescimento nas exportações no mesmo período em que as vendas brasileiras ao exterior apresentaram forte declínio. Diante desta constatação, questiona-se acerca dos fatores que permitiram à Alemanha ter um desempenho tão positivo, se comparado ao brasileiro, nos dez anos da pesquisa. Para investigar as estratégias empresariais e as ações diplomáticas adotadas pelo Brasil e Alemanha, foi conduzida pesquisa exploratória junto ao setor moveleiro de cada país e, à luz de conceitos teóricos revisitados e melhores práticas identificadas, foram propostas ações públicas e estratégias no âmbito privado visando ampliar as exportações brasileiras do setor. / This thesis aims to comparatively analyze the international competitiveness of Brazilian and German furniture industries between 2001 and 2011 from the internationalization strategies of their companies and the diplomatic role of the respective States in supporting this process. The choice for Germany is due to the relative similarity between the furniture industry of both countries regarding their relative shares in world consumption and production. In relation to international trade, however, Germany presents data much higher than those of Brazil, and has registered growth in exports in the same period in which Brazilian sales abroad showed a strong decline. Considering that, one wonders about the factors that allowed Germany to have such a positive performance, compared to Brazil, in the ten years of research. To investigate business strategies and diplomatic actions taken by Brazil and Germany, an exploratory research with the furniture sector in each country was conducted and, in light of theoretical concepts revisited and best practices identified, public actions and business were proposed to expand Brazilian exports of the sector.

This thesis provides the analysis of the glass production company BAKU GLASS LLC located in the Republic of Azerbaijan, and proposes a possible expansion strategy that will enhance its international presence abroad. More specifically, it has been demonstrated in the thesis that Georgian glass market has a certain potential taking into account its fast growing economic growth and other areas of the economy. For this purpose, a thorough analysis of the most important sectors that include environmental study of the glass industry in Georgia was carried out. As a result the joint venture with the local firm has been chosen as the most suitable mode of entry to this market. I consider my work to be very helpful in understanding all the necessary areas and fields in the glass industry as such. Moreover, I created and described international expansion proposal for Baku Glass based on the study of various literature related to the topic. To my mind the value added of my work is comprised from detailed analysis, knowledge and foremost the chance to see the company from inside, which is always the most important and valuable element.

During the last decades, the world has become increasingly globalized, leading to an increased interdependence between nations. This development has given rise to an increased vulnerability to turbulence created by external events and made it even harder to find the right strategic fit while managing the trade-offs between global integration and local responsiveness. The purpose of this thesis is, therefore, to understand how external events, namely Trade wars, Brexit and Pandemic affect an MNC's international strategy and how an MNC can adapt its strategy and structure to respond to the turbulent environment. Consequently, this thesis follows a case study-based design which helps to provide an in-depth company view and a strong foundation for the analysis of the strategic considerations made by the case company. The findings show that external events affect the company's capacity to produce, reduces trade opportunities, and prevents the continuous supply. Further, a direct response to the turbulent environment is to adapt the strategy and structure towards an adjusted Regional Strategy, with a focus on interdependence within geographical market clusters. This will create more opportunities to find the integral trade-off between global integration and local responsiveness and consequently respond to the arising regional complexities.

Mémoire numérisé par la Division de la gestion de documents et des archives de l'Université de Montréal.