Diante do processo recente da internacionalização das empresas brasileiras, que ainda suscita estudos para melhor compreender a dinâmica e o estabelecimento dos entrantes tardios verde-amarelos em todos os continentes e, visto que os estudos sobre subsidiárias de multinacionais brasileiras ainda são incipientes, o objetivo geral desta pesquisa foi analisar a influência da transferência de conhecimento e de fatores culturais na iniciativa das subsidiárias de multinacionais brasileiras. A partir das reflexões acerca dos estudos sobre matrizes e subsidiárias de multinacionais, sobretudo aqueles relacionados à cultura, transferência de conhecimento e iniciativa, as três hipóteses deste estudo emergiram e; baseado no modelo de iniciativa da subsidiária de Birkinshaw (1999), o modelo desta pesquisa foi explicitado considerando o contexto corporativo e o local da subsidiária, configurados por dimensões predominantemente comportamentais. Em termos metodológicos, empregou-se a estratégia sequencial explanatória, caracterizada pela coleta e análise de dados quantitativos seguido pela coleta e análise de dados qualitativos. Na primeira etapa, utilizou-se de técnicas estatísticas para analisar uma amostra de 66 subsidiárias de multinacionais brasileiras; enquanto na segunda etapa, explorou-se os resultados obtidos por meio de uma abordagem qualitativa aplicada na Weg, multinacional brasileira, envolvendo a matriz e as respectivas subsidiárias. Como principais resultados, constatou-se que a transferência de conhecimento nas multinacionais brasileiras parte na maioria dos casos, da matriz para subsidiária, principalmente com as unidades oriundas de processos de aquisição, evidenciando o compartilhamento do conhecimento tácito por meio do processo de socialização. Ambas as etapas da pesquisa permitiram identificar que algumas características culturais brasileiras estão presentes nas subsidiárias, principalmente as relacionadas à questão do poder, centralização e hierarquia, que podem dificultar o processo de transferência de conhecimento. Em relação ao modelo de pesquisa proposto, foi possível validá-lo na etapa quantitativa, visto que este explicou 28,9% da variabilidade da iniciativa da subsidiária de multinacional brasileira, considerado um resultado satisfatório nos estudos de ciências sociais. Duas, das três hipóteses verificadas, foram confirmadas: a iniciativa da subsidiária é diretamente influenciada pela transferência de conhecimento e esta, por sua vez, influenciado pela cultura. Entretanto, a influência da cultura na iniciativa da subsidiária não foi confirmada pela amostra do estudo, mas indícios da sua importância foram percebidos. O estudo sobre a Weg, na segunda fase da pesquisa, permitiu ilustrar o modelo proposto. Por fim, inspirado em uma proposta semelhante de Birkinshaw (1995), considerando-se a transferência de conhecimento, a cultura e a iniciativa das unidades, definiu-se três conglomerados de subsidiárias: Iniciativa de reconfiguração, Iniciativa no mercado local e Iniciativa incipiente. Como contribuições, destacam-se o enriquecimento da literatura acadêmica em construção sobre as multinacionais brasileiras, principalmente o olhar da iniciativa das subsidiárias; a definição de um modelo teórico com variáveis predominantemente comportamentais e que pode ser validado; e reflexões sobre a atuação das multinacionais brasileiras no contexto internacional. Para estudos futuros, acredita-se que outras variáveis sejam incorporadas ao modelo de pesquisa e que este seja aplicado novamente às subsidiárias de multinacionais brasileiras, permitindo uma análise longitudinal, bem como em realidades de outros países. Também, visando aprofundar a interpretação dos dados resultantes da etapa quantitativa, a realização de pesquisas em outras multinacionais brasileiras utilizando a abordagem qualitativa como na segunda fase deste estudo será relevante. / The internationalization of Brazilian companies is a recent process and raises the need for studies to better understand the dynamic and establishment of Brazilian late-movers in other continents. Moreover, the studies on Brazilian multinational subsidiaries are still scarce. As a result, the general goal of this research was to analyze the influence of knowledge transfer and cultural factors in initiatives of Brazilian multinational subsidiaries. The three hypothesis of this study emerged from the studies about headquarters and subsidiaries of multinationals, mainly those related to culture, knowledge transfer, and initiative. Based on Birkinshaws (1999) model of subsidiary initiative, this researchs model was depicted and it considered both the corporate context and the location of the subsidiary. These issues were especially set by behavioral dimensions. Regarding methodological issues, the explanatory sequential strategy was employed. This strategy includes collecting and analyzing quantitative data and, then, collecting and analyzing qualitative data. At the first phase of the research, statistical techniques were used to analyze a sample of 66 Brazilian multinational subsidiaries. At the second phase, results were obtained and analyzed through a more qualitative approach at Weg, a Brazilian multinational, including headquarters and subsidiaries. As main findings, it has been noticed that knowledge transfer in Brazilian multinationals, mostly, occurs from headquarter to the subsidiary and it is especially true when these subsidiaries are resulted from an acquisition. It was noticed that tacit knowledge sharing occurs through the socialization process. Results depicted from both phases of the research unveiled that some Brazilian cultural features are present in the subsidiaries, especially those related to power, centralization, and hierarchy. These issues can hamper the knowledge transfer process. It was possible to validate the proposed model since it explained 28.9% of the Brazilian multinational subsidiary initiative variability. This number is considered satisfactory for studies in Social Sciences. Two out of the three tested hypothesis were confirmed: the initiative of the subsidiary is directly influenced by knowledge transfer, which is, then, influenced by culture. However, although the influence of culture in the initiative of the subsidiary was not confirmed with this studys sample, there is evidence it is important. The study at Weg, at the second phase of this research, was useful to put the proposed model into practice. Inspired by a proposal similar to Birkinshaws (1995) model and considering knowledge transfer, culture, and initiatives of units, three subsidiary clusters were defined: (1) reconfiguration initiative, (2) local market initiative, and (3) incipient initiative. Contributions of this study include: (1) enriching the under-construction academic literature by studying Brazilian multinationals and focused on the initiative of subsidiaries, (2) defining a theoretical model with predominantly behavioral variables, (3) validating the model, and (4) discussing the operation of Brazilian multinationals within the international context. Future studies should include other variables into the research model, which may be reapplied at Brazilian multinational subsidiaries. It will enable researchers to both promote a longitudinal analysis and to understand the reality of other countries. Moreover, aiming at deepening the interpretation of data from the quantitative phase, it is relevant to conduct research at other Brazilian multinationals and the approach should be qualitative, likewise the second phase of this study.

À medida que o conhecimento e a inovação tornam-se mais importantes para o sucesso competitivo das organizações, surge a necessidade de avaliar as iniciativas que promovem a criação de novos conhecimentos e a geração de inovações tecnológicas, tais como as parcerias tecnológicas firmadas entre empresas e universidades. Visando ao aprofundamento deste tema, buscou-se identificar o estágio de desenvolvimento da cooperação empresauniversidade nas multinacionais brasileiras. Para tanto, foi realizada uma pesquisa qualitativa descritiva e foram efetuados múltiplos estudos de caso. As multinacionais brasileiras estudadas em profundidade foram: Embraco, Alfa, Beta, Tigre e WEG. Dados primários foram coletados junto às empresas estudadas por meio de entrevistas semi-estruturadas e questionários. Foram também obtidos dados complementares sobre as empresas estudadas em fontes secundárias. O arcabouço teórico que suportou a pesquisa abordou sete temas centrais, sendo eles a inovação e a capacitação tecnológica, a gestão da P&D, a cooperação empresauniversidade, a cooperação tecnológica internacional, a internacionalização de empresas, a internacionalização de P&D e as multinacionais brasileiras. Os resultados da pesquisa indicaram que o estágio de desenvolvimento da cooperação empresa-universidade é predominantemente intermediário nas multinacionais brasileiras estudadas. Foi também possível verificar que não existe um consenso ou padrão rígido para a utilização de determinados arranjos e mecanismos para a cooperação tecnológica nas multinacionais brasileiras, a escolha dos mesmos dependerá da posição e dos objetivos de cada participante frente ao processo cooperativo e deverá contemplar a maleabilidade e adequações necessárias ao tipo de relação a ser desenvolvida. Por fim, o trabalho ressalta que a cooperação empresauniversidade é um grande propulsor da competitividade tecnológica e, cada vez mais, deverá ser foco de atenção das empresas, das universidades e do governo. / As knowledge and innovation become more important to the competitive success of the organizations, the need to evaluate the initiatives that promote the creation of new knowledge and the generation of technological innovations, such as technology partnerships signed between companies and universities arises. In order to deepen this issue, we have tried to identify the development stage of company-university cooperation in Brazilian multinationals. For this, a qualitative and descriptive research was conducted and several case studies were done. Brazilian multinationals studied in depth were: Embraco, Alfa, Beta, Tigre and WEG. Primary data were gathered from the companies using semi-structured interviews and questionnaires. Additional data about the studied companies were also obtained from secondary sources. The theoretical framework that supported the search addressed seven key issues: innovation and technological training, management of R&D, business-university cooperation, international technological cooperation, internationalization of enterprises, internationalization of R&D and Brazilian multinationals. The results indicate that the development stage of business-university cooperation is predominantly intermediary in the studied Brazilian multinational. It was also possible to see that there is a consensus or rigid standard for the use of certain arrangements and mechanisms for technology cooperation in Brazilian multinational, and their choices will depend on each participant\'s position and goals face the cooperative process and should consider flexibility and adjustments necessary and the kind of relationship to be developed. Finally, the work emphasizes that business-university cooperation is a major propellant for technological competitiveness and, increasingly, to be the companies of, universities and the government\'s attention focus.

Dans le contexte d’une globalisation croissante, la mondialisation des économies et des organisations a un fort impact sur les pratiques de gestion des ressources humaines. En effet, de plus en plus d’entreprises multinationales emploient des acteurs en provenance de divers pays et donc de cultures différentes. La gestion de la diversité est ainsi devenue indispensable pour ces entreprises qui s’implantent à l’étranger.Cette recherche vise à mettre en évidence la complexité de la gestion de la diversité culturelle et de la multitude de facteurs qui influencent le comportement des cadres/agents dans les filiales des firmes multinationales françaises implantées en Tunisie.Pour cela, nous étudions les apports de la littérature portant sur l'entreprise multinationale et le transfert des pratiques managériales ainsi que l’influence de la variable culturelle sur les pratiques managériales au sein des filiales en tenant compte des réactions des acteurs internes. Nous proposerons alors un cadre théorique innovant en articulant l’approche néo-institutionnaliste et l’approche culturaliste.Notre méthodologie de recherche repose la combinaison de l’analyse qualitative et quantitative. L’échantillon de l’enquête est constitué de 83 cadres locaux et expatriés travaillant dans 14 filiales françaises implantées dans différentes régions en Tunisie.L’étude quantitative est basée sur des questionnaires adressés aux différents acteurs ; elle est complétée par 22 entretiens semi-directifs auprès des cadres locaux et expatriés.Cette thèse a mis en évidence que la coopération entre acteurs issus de cultures différentes nécessite une prise en considération de la variable culturelle pour gérer les filiales. Elle a également mis en exergue les traits culturels au sein des filiales françaises implantés en Tunisie ainsi que les valeurs culturelles dominantes spécifiques aux cadres TunisiensMots clés: l’entreprise multinationale - les pratiques managériales- la variable culturelle- les valeurs culturelles dominantes- La gestion de la diversité. / In the context of a growing globalization, the globalization of economies and organizations has a strong impact on the human resources management practices.Indeed, more and more multinational companies recruit actors from various countries and therefore different cultures. Management of the diversity has become essential for these companies locating abroad.This research aims to highlight the complexity of managing cultural diversity and the multitude of factors which influence the behavior of managers/agents in subsidiaries of the multinationals French firms implanted in Tunisia.For this purpose, we study the literature of contributions on the multinational company and the transfer of managerial practices as well as the influence of cultural variable on the managerial practices within subsidiaries by taking into account feedback from internal stakeholders. We then propose an innovative theoretical framework articulating the neo-institutional approach and the culturalism approach.Our research methodology based the overall combination of qualitative and quantitative analysis. The survey sample consists of 83 local and expatriate executives working in 14 French subsidiaries implanted in different regions in Tunisia.The quantitative study is based on questionnaires sent to various actors; it is supplemented by 22 interviews semi-structured with both local and expats executives.This thesis has highlighted that the cooperation between actors from different cultures requires a consideration of cultural variable to manage subsidiaries. It also highlighted the cultural features within the French subsidiaries implanted in Tunisia as well as the dominant cultural values specific to the Tunisian executives.Key words : Multinational companies- the managerial practices -cultural variable- the dominant cultural values- Management of the diversity

An empirical investigation of the Portuguese crystal industry focused on the current strategies of the 12 firms in the industry that produce 98 percent of the industry's output. The chief executive officers in each firm completed the survey instrument. The research discovered that the two groups of firms with positive returns on equity pursued a cost leadership strategy based on efficiency of production and cost leadership strategy based on production innovation.

学位プログラム名: 京都大学大学院思修館 / 京都大学 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(総合学術) / 甲第23344号 / 総総博第17号 / 新制||総総||3(附属図書館) / 京都大学大学院総合生存学館総合生存学専攻 / (主査)教授 池田 裕一, 特定教授 武田 英俊, 教授 諸富 徹 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Philosophy / Kyoto University / DFAM

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No / This article investigates the relative importance and variability of the country-of-origin effect in employee relations approaches of US subsidiaries within the context of diversity of employee relations patterns in home- and host-country business systems and the influence of important industry forces. It is based on a representative survey of US subsidiaries and indigenous firms in the UK. The cross-sectional comparison with indigenous UK firms confirmed a distinct US country-of-origin imprint in employee relations patterns in US subsidiaries. However, the magnitude of such an effect cautions against assumptions of popular stereotypes and reflects, inter alia, the diversity of employee relations approaches among US parent companies as well as developments in the UK industrial relations landscape over the last decades. The intra-US analysis revealed the importance of both the level and type of industry internationalisation in shaping the strength and nature of the country-of-origin influence. On the basis of the findings, the article highlights lessons to be learned for the study of cross-border policy-transfer issues in MNCs.

Yes / EMNEs from Africa are missing in global places and spaces, and Africapitalism is also meagrely represented within the capillaries of international investments, relative to the opportunities offered by globalisation and Africa’s rich natural resource endowment. Using the Penrosian MNE growth theory, we investigate how African firms' managerial competence and entrepreneurial behaviours can be enhanced by engaging foreign executive directors during pre, early and post-internationalisation. We conduct our analysis by using data from 157 companies domiciled in 17 African countries. Our results show that whilst access to liquidity, foreign managerial know-how, and experience are key drivers of early foreign listing of African EMNEs, these factors have less effect on corporate outcomes during the 3rd and 5th year without the moderating effect of foreign executive directors. We contribute to the international business and international entrepreneurship literature by showing that African EMNEs can succeed in global spaces if they leverage the expertise of foreign executive directors as they bring idiosyncratic industry and market knowledge during early internationalisation. EMNEs intending to internationalise must use a polycentric governing board structure to reflect the intended destination country. Our results imply that early listing on the international stock markets is among the key strategies latecomers use to enter a global game they are just learning to play.

These years has witnessed a rapid change in staff’s working pattern. Flexible working arrangements are increasingly widespread in developed countries as well as developing countries. The adoption level of flexible working arrangements is predicted to keep increasing in the future. However, some obstacles will emerge when flexible working policies are carried out in companies. The results such as low participation of staff in flexible working arrangements may fail to live up organizations’ expectation. Accordingly, employers’ and employees’ evaluation of flexible working policies may be helpful to remove these obstacles and plays a vital role in improving the implementation of flexible working arrangements.Considering that change of the implementation of flexible working policies will have direct impacts on employers and employees, these two groups of people are chosen as respondents to investigate. The respondents of this thesis are from foreign and multinational companies in China. Since documental data on flexible working policies are quite few, the researchers have collected both qualitative and quantitative data by doing interviews and a survey. The findings of the interviewees’ opinions and the survey data show both similarities and differences between employers’ and employees’ evaluations, which may pave the way for improvement of the implementation of flexible working arrangements.The findings of this research show that the implementation of flexible working policies is affected by two categories, “the content of policies” and “the external factors influencing the implementation of policies” such as facilities provided by companies, trust and support from supervisors. Furthermore, employers and employees tend to hold similar or different opinions on the concepts included in these two categories related to their different positions in their companies. The findings of this research are regarding the current implementation of flexible working arrangements and limited types of flexible working arrangements. Other factors and improvements can be achieved in future practice.

The thesis focuses on the protracted tripartite conflict within and between local oilbearing communities of the Niger Delta on the one hand, and between them, the state and foreign oil multinationals in the region, on the other hand. The focus also centers around how this has attracted international attention and the impact of internationalization on the conflict itself. The series of crises have been underpinned by tortuous issues on the ground for over four decades. There was a new dimension to the struggle in the early 1990s, which redefined the focus of the crises, when organized pressure groups protested against the inhuman and environmental hazards in the region. The thesis therefore examines the interest(s) of the main actors involved in the crisis in the period between 1993 and 2003 in order to establish the issues that accounted for the involvement of the international civil societies. The thesis makes three significant arguments: one, that the differences in interests among the actors in relation to the issue of oil production and its impact on the local people laid the basis for the persistent struggle between the social movements/militant youths on one side and the state and oil multinationals operating in the region on the other. The second argument the thesis advances is that the age-long crisis in the region became an agenda for the international community in the 1990s because of the trend and impact of globalization This invariably allowed international Non-Governmental Organizations to intervene in exerting pressures on oil companies and the state to re-examine their policies in the region. Finally, the recent internationalization of the crisis has not impacted enough to significantly address the demands of the people with the locally based pressure and, later, INGOs. This approach is intended to establish a pattern of alliances in the Niger Delta crisis. It might be healthy to state, ab initio, that there was a convergence of interests between the state and MNOCs on the one hand and between the social movements, local NGOs and INGOs on the other hand. The thesis employed a multivariate form of data collection from primary sources like Multinational Oil Companies in the area especially, Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), interviews with local people, NGOs and some government officials, with extensive use of secondary data on the Niger Delta. The study’s findings suggest that the internationalization of the crisis has engendered new approaches and attitudes on the part of the key actors in the Niger Delta. For its part, the state has adopted the agency approach in dealing with the issues confronting the region. Shell has increased its direct intervention efforts in addressing the demands of the local communities. However, these new approaches and attitudes have yielded minimal results in view of the militarization of the Niger Delta through the continuous deployment of troops by the state and the oil multinationals under the guise of security imperatives in response to the people’s agitations, which are poverty driven.