The increasing global challenges, such as natural disasters, poverty and many others, pose new threats to societies and businesses. Therefore, companies increase their engagement in Corporate Sustainability (CS), which connects social, environmental and economic responsibilities. Through this approach, CS aims at overcoming environmental and social constraints in a business context to increase competitiveness in today’s fast-changing world. This fast pace, with which the business environment changes, is related to external influences, such as the above-mentioned climate change, and to fundamental structural developments. One of those is the increasing number of emerging-market companies (EMNCs) that internationalize rapidly through cross-border M&A deals, also into developed markets. Since both trends, the increase in CS engagement and the growing international M&A activity of EMNCs, gain in practical and academic importance, we conducted our study under the following research question. How is CS integrated on a strategic level after a cross-border acquisition by an EMNC? The theoretical angle from which we approached the topic aligns with the resource-based view, including the natural-resource-based view, and a stakeholder perspective. When reviewing the literature regarding CS, it became clear that substantial outcomes are still lacking despite an increasing commitment to CS. This difficulty can be linked to the variety of interpretations regarding the conception of CS and the resulting confusion among implicated parties. The review of M&A literature, with a special focus on EMNCs, revealed that these companies deploy a unique approach, which is characterized by the soft post-M&A integration of the target to allow organizational learning within both businesses. Therefore, our empirical research aimed at exploring how the strategic CS of both companies, the target and the parent, influence each other and thus, develop towards a common CS strategy. The longitudinal single case study we selected, allowed us to investigate this research proposal. Through the collection and analysis of documentary data enriched by semi-structured interviews, our study revealed the following. The exchange of knowledge and CS-related communication represented the basis for the integration of strategic CS as it nurtures organizational learning. Consequently, the CS strategies of both companies increased in maturity, which means that their sophistication evolved. In addition, we also found that the target developed towards a more permissive sustainability to align with its parent company’s CS strategy. Our main study contributions relate to an enhancement of the theoretical knowledge in the related fields. Besides this, we also identified critical practical issues, such as the importance of establishing a common conception of CS to ensure a successful CS integration on a strategic level.

Syfte – Syftet med studien var att skapa en förståelse för vilka resurser som kan vara nödvändiga vid implementering av uppkopplad tillverkning för SMF inom tillverkningsindustrin men kan upplevas som hinder. För att adressera syftet har två forskningsfrågor (FF) tagits fram, FF 1: Vilka resurser kan krävas när SMF avser att implementera uppkopplad tillverkning, samt hur kan dessa påverka SMF inom tillverkningsindustrin? FF 2: Vilka bakomliggande orsaker kan finnas till att resurser utgör hinder för en implementering av uppkopplad tillverkning? Metod – Studien har genomförts genom en deduktiv forskningsansats med induktiva inslag. Denna forskningsansats valdes för att studien tog avstamp i litteraturöversikten och sedan verifierades samt utvecklades utifrån den empiriska dataanalysen. Vidare, studien antog en kvalitativ datainsamling, och totalt genomfördes intervjuer med personer från 11 olika företag. Urvalet av intervjuade företag begränsades till svenska SMF inom tillverkningsindustrin som har implementerat uppkopplad tillverkning i form av automatiserade processer. Den valda analysmetoden är i form av en tematisk analys av insamlad data. Resultat – Studien resulterade i ett konceptuellt ramverk som främst riktar sig till SMF inom tillverkningsindustrin som vill implementera uppkopplad tillverkning. Det konceptuella ramverket är uppbyggt kring sex framtagna dimensioner, där de fysiska resurserna ses som primära och de resterande fem är sekundära gentemot den primära. Det som gör att de fysiska resurserna utgör de huvudsakliga resurserna är att de möjliggör automatiserade processer hos SMF i tillverkningsindustrin. Medan de resterande fem resurserna fungerar som ett stöd till de fysiska resurserna. De framtagna dimensionerna visar de resurser som kan brista och dess bakomliggande orsaker vid implementering av uppkopplad tillverkning. Teoretiska implikationer – Studien bidrar till tidigare litteratur kring implementering av uppkopplad tillverkning för SMF i tillverkningsindustrin genom att undersöka de bakomliggande orsakerna till att resurser upplevs som hinder. Ett av bidragen är synliggörandet av de resurser som kan hindra SMF inom tillverkningsindustrin att implementera uppkopplad tillverkning. Denna studie har även bidragit med att identifiera en sekundär resurs, marknadsresurser, som tidigare inte lyfts fram i litteraturen. Resultatet visade att det är förståelsen för helhetsbilden av marknaden som är viktigt hos företag, och inte enbart rykte hos kunderna. Resultatet visade att rykte handlar mer om förståelsen för marknaderna, såsom konkurrenssituationen. Resultaten visar även orsaker till att resurser kan upplevas som hinder vid implementering av uppkopplad tillverkning.. Praktiska implikationer – Det främsta praktiska bidraget från denna studie är det konceptuella ramverket som har sin grund i resursbaserad teori och som visar på de brister i ett företags resurser som kan hindra en implementering av uppkopplad tillverkning. Det är främst beslutsfattare i SMF inom tillverkningsindustrin som överväger att implementera uppkopplad tillverkning i sina fabriker som kan vägledas och ta hjälp av det konceptuella ramverket. Tillväxtverket kan med hjälp av denna studie öka förståelsen för SMF inom tillverkningsindustrin i Sverige. Detta kan i sin tur hjälpa dessa företag att få en bättre förståelse för vilka resurser som kan hindra en implementering av uppkopplad tillverkning. Genom en ökad förståelse med hjälp utav Tillväxtverket kan SMF undvika att dessa hinder uppstår i planeringsfasen. / Purpose – The purpose of the study was to provide an understanding of resources that may be inadequate but necessary when implementing online manufacturing for SME’s in the manufacturing industry. To address the purpose two research questions (RQ) were developed, RQ 1: What resources can affect SME’s in the manufacturing industry in the implementation of online manufacturing? RQ 2: What are the underlying reasons to that resources constitute obstacles when implementing online manufacturing? Method – The study has been conducted through a deductive research with inductive elements. The research method was chosen because the study was based on the literature review and then verified and developed on the basis of the empirical data analysis. The study adopted a qualitative data collection, and interviews were conducted with individuals from 11 different companies. The selection of interviewed companies was limited to Swedish SME’s in the manufacturing industry, which has implemented online manufacturing in the form of automated processes. The chosen analysis method of the collected data is in the form of a thematic analysis. Findings – The study resulted in a conceptual framework, which is aimed primarily for SME’s in the manufacturing industry that wants to implement online manufacturing. The conceptual framework is built on six dimensions, where physical resources are primary and the remaining five are secondary. The physical resources are the main resource since they enable automated processes for SME’s in the manufacturing industry. While the remaining five resources serve as a support for physical resources. The developed dimensions show the resources that can be inadequate and its underlying reasons of the implementation of online manufacturing. Theoretical contributions – The study contributes to previous literature on the implementation of online manufacturing for SME’s in the manufacturing industry by investigating the underlying reasons of resources being perceived as obstacles and why an implementation is not taking place. One of the contributions is the visualization of the resources that may affect SME’s in the manufacturing industry to implement online manufacturing. This study has also contributed with a new resource. The result showed that it is an understanding of the overall picture of the market that is important for companies, and not just the reputation. The result also pointed out that reputation was about the understanding of the markets, such as the competitive situation, which led to the emergence of the new dimension called market resources. Furthermore, the reasons that resources can be perceived as barriers to implementing online manufacturing were partly confirmed in the result part. Finally, new reasons emerged why resources can be perceived as obstacles. Practical implications – The main practical contribution from this study is the conceptual framework that has its foundation in the resource-based view and demonstrates the shortcomings that may arise in a company's resources prior to an implementation of online manufacturing. It is primarily managers of SME’s in the manufacturing industry, who are considering an implementation of online manufacturing in their factories, that will be guided by the conceptual framework. Tillväxtverket can, with the help of this study, increase understanding for SME’s in the manufacturing industry in Sweden. This, in turn, can help companies to get a better understanding of which resources that can prevent an implementation of online manufacturing. Through an increased understanding and with the help of Tillväxtverket SME’s can prevent difficulties from occurring during the planning phase.

Background: Microbreweries are a rapid and emergent alternative in the alcoholic beverage industry. Understanding resource selection, development, and management with their institutional context and capital are critical for microbreweries to develop sustained competitive advantage in a difficult industry. Therefore, using Oliver’s (1997) and Bresser and Millonig’s (2003) integration of resource capital and institutional capital, the researchers identified a gap in the literature and were interested in exploring how Swedish microbreweries select and manage resource and institutional capital in their competitive context and identify challenges to existing literature.                  Purpose: The purpose of this study is to explore and investigate how Swedish microbreweries select, develop, and manage institutional and resource-based capital. The study looks to explain the internal strategy process and factors affecting the microbrewery’s decisions.     Method: The study is an exploratory approach by combining existing theoretical frameworks and empirical data. Empirical data was collected through a qualitative research method consisting of seven semi-structured interviews and analysed with the thematic analysis technique.   Conclusion: The authors propose an amendment to Oliver’s (1997) model that links the empirical data and existing literature. In this context, collaborations and brewery networks are an important overarching dynamic that influences the procurement and management of resource capital and institutional capital. The dominant nature of collaborations and brewery networks is instrumental in the success of the microbrewery in question as it provides access to valuable resources and knowledge development crucial to achieving a sustained competitive advantage. This model can be used in the understanding of the overlapping factors facing the Swedish microbrewing industry.

No contexto da resource-based view, que é uma das principais abordagens estratégicas associada com os fatores internos de uma organização, a tecnologia da informação aparece como um recurso que pode ter impactos positivos sobre a performance de uma organização. Diante de algumas tipologias identificadas na literatura, alguns autores dividem os recursos de tecnologia da informação em três grupos: recursos tangíveis de TI, recursos humanos de TI e recursos intangíveis habilitados pela TI. Nesse último grupo é destacado que o conhecimento pode ser viabilizado por meio da TI, e deve ser considerado um ativo que a empresa poderia usufruir por meio da TI para se diferenciar de seus concorrentes. Dessa forma pode-se afirmar que existe uma influência das capacidades de TI (infraestrutura de TI, operação de TI e recursos humanos de TI) sobre a de gestão do conhecimento, uma vez que elas podem viabilizar uma melhor eficiência sobre os processos de gestão do conhecimento. O objetivo deste trabalho é analisar a relação das capacidades de tecnologia da informação sobre a gestão do conhecimento, levando em consideração os seguintes fatores: o impacto estratégico da TI no presente e no futuro, e o estilo de gestão de conhecimento voltado pra o conhecimento explícito, com o intuito de verificar se esses fatores afetam a intensidade da relação principal foco do estudo. Para alcançar os objetivos propostos foi realizada uma pesquisa seguindo uma abordagem quantitativa, por meio de um levantamento survey. Foram identificadas evidências empíricas de que a capacidade de TI tem um impacto positivo sobre a gestão do conhecimento conforme já destacado na literatura, além desse resultado foi constatado que os fatores moderadores influenciam positivamente essa relação. As grandes contribuições para a teoria foram o incremento de mais três novos processos compondo as dimensões da gestão do conhecimento, e a inclusão dos efeitos moderadores (o estilo de gestão do conhecimento voltado para o conhecimento explícito, o impacto estratégico da TI no presente e no futuro) no modelo de pesquisa proposto. / In the context of resource-based view, which is one of the key strategic approaches associated with an organization\'s internal factors, information technology appears as a resource that can have positive impacts on an organization\'s performance. Faced with some typologies identified in the literature, some authors divide information technology resources into three groups: tangible IT resources, IT human resources, and IT-enabled intangible resources. In the latter group it is highlighted that knowledge can be made via IT and should be considered an asset that the company could use through IT to differentiate itself from its competitors. In this way, it can be said that there is an influence of IT capacities (IT infrastructure, IT operation and IT human resources) over knowledge management, since they can enable a better efficiency in the management processes of the knowledge. The objective of this work is to analyze the relationship of information technology capacities on knowledge management, taking into account the following factors: the strategic impact of IT in the present and in the future, and the style of knowledge management aimed at explicit knowledge , in order to verify if these factors affect the intensity of the relationship main focus of the study. In order to reach the proposed objectives, a research was carried out following a quantitative approach, through a survey survey. Empirical evidence has been found that IT capacity has a positive impact on knowledge management as already highlighted in the literature, besides this result it was found that the moderating factors positively influence this relationship. The major contributions to the theory were the increase of three new processes composing the dimensions of knowledge management, and the inclusion of the moderating effects (the style of knowledge management focused on explicit knowledge, the strategic impact of IT in the present and in the future) in the proposed research model.

Financial Non-Governmental Organisations (FNGOs) are regulated microfinance institutions (MFIs) that operate with the social welfare logic in the delivery of Microcredit (MC) and Entrepreneurship Training (ET) to the poor in Ghana. The provision of these two capitals (MC and ET) is aimed at supporting the poor to create sustainable Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) which is aimed at generating both skilled and unskilled employment. The major aim of this study is to investigate the impact of MC and ET delivered by FNGOs on the performance of MSEs in Ghana. Theoretically, the study adopts both the Institutional Theory and the Resource-Based View theory as the underlying theoretical frameworks, assuming that institutional and resource factors have a great influence on FNGOs in their delivery of MC and ET to MSEs in Ghana. The research design adopted in undertaking this study is based on the pragmatic research philosophy. Specifically, the mixed strategy with an explanatory triangulation method has been used. The mixed method has been adopted purposely for model testing as well as for exploring various issues on FNGOs and their role in the performance of MSEs. Primary data were collected through a quantitative method using a survey as well as through qualitative interviews. Adopting a stratified random sampling method, a total of 720 self-administered questionnaires were sent out in March 2017 to MSEs in the Volta Region of Ghana to collect primary data. Out of the number sent, 506 questionnaires were retrieved generating a response rate of 70.2%. Also, interviews were conducted with 10 MSEs. A multiple regression model was applied in measuring the impact of MC and ET on the performance of MSEs. The findings suggest that firm characteristics such as gender, managers educational level, industry category and business age correlate positively with employment sales and profitability growth which are statistically significant at 1% level. Secondly, the study also found that both MC and ET factors have a significant impact on MSE performance in the areas of employment, sales and profitability at 1% significant level. The qualitative findings also support the model tested in this study in the sense that the combined approach of both MC and ET have a significant impact on MSE performance in Ghana. This study has made two main contributions. Firstly, the provision of MC by FNGOs can only have the desired impact on the performance of MSEs if it is combined with entrepreneurship training, thereby leading to a sustainable employment, sales and profitability growth. Therefore, by using the 506 MSEs financed by FNGOs in the Volta region of Ghana, this study has for the first time in the Ghanaian microfinance landscape tested an empirical model and came out with meaningful findings for effective integration of ET into microfinance to improve the delivery of financial services to MSEs in Ghana by FNGOs and other socially oriented MFIs. The study has therefore developed a practical framework for ensuring that ET is provided alongside the delivery of MC in order to have the desired impact on the performance of MSEs. The study provided implications for policy and practice for making MC and ET more accessible to MSEs to achieve the desired goal of creating employment. Secondly, even though FNGOs play a very important role in providing entrepreneurial finance to MSEs particularly in developing countries, it has received insufficient research attention. This study has, therefore, added to the scanty research available about FNGOs and their contribution to entrepreneurship development and poverty reduction in developing countries.

Diversos empresários e órgãos de classe procuram identificar oportunidades no desenvolvimento potencial dos setores naval e offshore e no fornecimento de conteúdo local para essas indústrias. Também as instituições governamentais e privadas interessadas no fomento à indústria brasileira procuram formas de conferir competitividade à indústria alvo de suas políticas. Este trabalho desenvolve de forma preliminar uma ferramenta suportada pela teoria da Visão Baseada em Recursos (VBR), que visa identificar a similaridade entre os recursos necessários para produzir uma série de equipamentos e as competências detidas pela firma. Além da identificação da similaridade, que permite priorizar a escolha dos equipamentos que podem ser desenvolvidos pela firma interessada em atuar no mercado naval, a ferramenta permite a identificação de lacunas tecnológicas e traz à baila importantes discussões sobre a obtenção de competências externamente à firma. / Several entrepreneurs and unions seek to identify potential development opportunities in marine and offshore industries, aiming to provide local content for these industries. Also the government and private institutions interested in promoting the Brazilian industry endeavor ways to give competition to the shipbuilding industry. This study develops a preliminary tool supported by the theory of Resource-Based View (RBV), which aims to identify the similarity between the resources needed to produce a series of equipment and the capabilities held by the firm. Besides the identification of similarity, which helps on the choice of equipment to be developed by the firm, the tool allows the identification of technology gaps and brings up important discussions about getting capabilities outside the firm boundaries.

This research investigates the relationship between supplier capabilities, inter-firm governance and buyer-supplier collaboration. The research focuses on three functional capabilities (Research and Development (R&D), Production and Support services capability), two governance mechanisms (Contractual and Relational governance) and three types of buyer-supplier collaboration (Information sharing, Collaborative product/service development and Collaborative problem solving). A theoretical framework is developed which first examines the multiple mediation effect of contractual and relational governance on the relationship between capability and collaboration type, and second, explores the relative strength of the indirect effect through contractual and relational governance. Survey based research methodology is used to empirically test the hypotheses in this research. Data are collected from a total of 120 SMEs in the UK aerospace industry. Bootstrapping based techniques are used to analyse the data and to examine the proposed relationship between capability, governance and collaboration. The empirical findings indicate that although both contractual and relational governance are important in order to link the supplier capability with collaboration, the individual effect of contractual and relational governance varies in different combinations of capabilities and collaboration types. The potential contribution of this research is twofold: first, in terms of academic contribution, this study combines the arguments of Resource Based View and Transaction Cost Economics to provide a holistic view in explaining the interrelation between capability, governance and buyer-supplier collaboration; Second, in terms of practical contribution, this study improves the understanding of practitioners in both buying and supplying firm regarding the alignment of interfirm exchange processes with capabilities to achieve better performance in collaboration.

Purpose: Finding which resources and capabilities are deployed among Istanbul-based apparel manufacturers, evaluating to what extent they are tangible, intangible as well as capabilities as well as lastly analysing them according to the valuable, rare, inimitable and non-substitutable framework. Design/methodology: The research design consists of a case study held at several firms. Empirical data was collected using semi-structured interviews. Empirical data: Empirical data was primarily collected at nine different apparel manufacturers within the greater Istanbul region. Conclusion: Conclusions show that within the bundles of resources and capabilities, a large variation was noted with high international competitiveness. However there are areas such as design and quality which could be continuously developed among firms. In the end, whatever bundle of resources and capabilities a firm has, it’s the end price that speaks. / Program: Textilekonomutbildningen

Immigrants participate in entrepreneurial activity more frequently than other groups, largely resulting from restricted access to traditional occupational advancement. Recent studies have reported that immigrant entrepreneurs focus on their abundance of human and social capital to obtain the financial resources necessary to fund their ventures. Lack of financial resources has been identified as a major barrier for immigrant entrepreneurs; however, as this study indicates, both native and immigrant entrepreneurs face similar financial hurdles in locating initial startup funding. Where major differences arise between native and immigrant entrepreneurs is that native entrepreneurs more frequently transition to business forms of debt, a key component to long-term success. Resulting from their lack of embeddedness in their host context, immigrant entrepreneurs are far more likely to rely on social network based resources to fund growth, which removes their businesses from the opportunities business forms that debt provides. Using the Kauffman public data, I investigated the relationship between financing strategies engaged by "immigrant" versus "native" entrepreneurs.

The U.S. Government (USG) sets aside $133 billion annually to procure goods and services from small businesses. To increase efficiency and effectiveness, the USG employs e-commerce procedures that continually change, forcing small and microbusiness owners (MBO) to learn new technical skills. This continuum of change is adversely affecting MBO who lack technical skills. The purpose of this correlational study was to determine whether a relationship existed between the independent variables of formal training consisting of third party providers, consultants, and higher education (INTM); previous federal employment (PFE); and government-sponsored training (GST) and the dependent variable of MBO winning a USG contract. The theoretical lens used to frame the study was the resource-based view. Participants included 259 owners of microbusinesses with fewer than 5 employees located in the United States. A Web-based survey provided data for logistic regression analysis, which showed a statistically significant finding that MBO who did not have GST were 2.6 times more likely to win a USG contract than MBO who had GST. INTM and PFE were not significantly associated with winning a USG contract. Implications for social change include encouraging government officials to develop training programs whereby MBO may benefit from increased business opportunities, which may spark business growth, reduce unemployment within communities, and contribute to the economy.