David A. Ricks

Recent Developments in International Management Research

Although the field of management has many international dimensions, this article limits the review of recent developments in international management research to eight important areas: (a) human resource management, (b) organizational behavior, (c) production management, (d) information and technology transfer, (e) structure and control, (f) strategy, (g) business-government relations, and (h) forms of involvement.

Globalization versus regionalization: Which way for the multinational?

ncreasingly, I managers are confronted by calls for dramatic change in the way their businesses should compete internationally. Nowhere is this more apparent than in so-called “global” industries, where managers have been urged to introduce offshore manufacturing, cut costs through worldwide economies of scale, standardize products internationally, and subsidize national market-share battles through international cash flows or other support activities. These actions form the basis of “global strategies” that have been suggested as the emerging pattern of international competition. Two fundamental assumptions drive this thinking. The first is that a sizable number of competitors are indeed using global strategies to compete; the second is that performance can be improved by pursuing global strategies, particularly in an industry that has global structural characteristics. For managers in global industries the message has been, “Either quickly adopt a global strategy or see your competitiveness diminish.” In fact, some observers have gone so far as to suggest that the imperatives to globalize are so great and the benefits so pronounced that globalization is fast becoming the strategic norm rather than the exception. Although such comments are directed toward managers in the front-line global industries (for example, semiconductors, aircraft parts, pharmaceuticals, and heavy machinery), they are also being heard by senior managers in numerous other industries that are beginning to face greater and greater levels of international competition.

Identification of key international information systems issues in U.S.-based multinational corporations

Abstract:The transfer and management of information systems (IS) technology present a significant challenge to multinational corporations (MNCS). Very few studies have investigated the managerial concerns and issues that confront IS executives in an international context This paper presents the empirical results of a two-phase study designed to identify and prioritize important international information systems issues in U.S.-based MNCS. The findings are compared to those reported in the earlier domestic MIS issues studies. The study reported here (a) identifies a number of international IS issues unique to multinational corporations; (b) emphasizes that top-rated international IS concerns are a mixture of managerial and technical issues much like the domestic issues studies of the 1980s; (c) concludes that multinational service and manufacturing firms perceive the importance of international IS issues differently; and (d) demonstrates, for manufacturing MNCS, that the level of international involvement d...

Mis research: A model for incorporating the international dimension

Abstract Information technology has the potential to play an important role in managerial solutions for multinational corporations operating in an increasingly complex and competitive international business environment. In this study, a two-phase research design was employed to collect data for the purpose of: (1) identifying important intemational/MIS issues, (2) categorizing these identified issues in an international context, and (3) building a conceptual model that reflects these empirical results. The model provides guidelines for educators and practitioners as well as future direction for researchers.

The use of a multi-measurement approach in the determination of company export priorities

Studies undertaken to determine the priorities and special problem areas of firms involved in exporting have resulted in differing conclusions. This appears to be the case because previous researchers have asked somewhat different questions. Therefore, the usefulness of a multimeasurement approach in the determination of export issues of concern to firms is examined. Findings suggest that such an approach can be effective particularly when considering information flows, documentation, and service issues.

Information and Communication Technology in the Classroom: An Empirical Study with an International Perspective

Abstract Researchers posit that the use of information and communication technology (ICT) will revolutionize traditional educational methods in university contexts and change the process of how educators do their job. However, research offers conflicting views regarding the benefits of ICT in the classroom. To better understand the various advantages and disadvantages of using ICT in university teaching, findings of a major cross-sectional empirical study of the perceptions and practices of international business faculty located in fourteen countries are reported. The study identifies obstacles that prevent faculty from successfully using ICT, the level of institutional support provided, faculty intentions to use ICT during the next year, and significant differences by country in the types and amount of ICT faculty use. The primary advantages of using ICT in the classroom appear to be its positive impact on visual as well as audio learners, increased understanding of concepts, added excitement to presentations, and increased student interest. A lack of adequate training and support staff and increased preparation time are identified as the three most significant barriers.

Foreign Direct Investments in the U.S., 1974–1978

The subject of foreign investments in U.S. remains of high interest from both an academic and real world prospective. Since the 1970s, the flow of foreign investments has accelerated, and particularly since 1975.In 1975, the authors of this paper complied a directory of foreign manufacturing firms in U.S.1 The directory was the result of pulling together the known data available on foreign investors in U.S. as of 1974. So much has happened since then, however, that the authors have completed a 1979 edition. This note compares the two directories in order to make several rather interesting observations as to recent trends of foreign direct investments in the U.S.

Blunders in international marketing: Fact or fiction

Abstract Popular literature on international marketing gives the impression that U.S. firms are insensitive, lack understanding of the unique socio-political, cultural and trade environments of foreign markets, and are probably blundering all the time. Is this really so? To find an answer to this question, this article reports the results of the study that was conducted to verify some of the more publicized blunders in international marketing.

Capital Budgeting for Multinational Firms: A Theoretical Analysis

The capital asset pricing model of Sharpe [21], Lintner [13] and Mossin [16] has been successfully extended by Rubinstein [18], Fama and Miller [8] and others to the area of corporate investment decisions. To the extent that the SLM model is a reasonable representation of how assets are priced in the domestic market, the model can serve as a sound theoretical decision criterion for U.S. firms investing in the U.S. market. For a multinational firm, however, the SLM model cannot be used as an investment criterion. This is true whether the international capital market is assumed to be segmented or integrated. Some researchers such as Black [4], Grubel [10], Cohn and Pringle [7] and Subrahmanyam [25] argue for the segmented market hypothesis, but recent empirical work by Agmon [3], Hughes et al. [11], Solnik [23], Stehle [24] and Chen et al. [6] provide some evidence that the international capital market is sufficiently integrated and efficient to provide for an international pricing of risk. Several international pricing models have been advanced, most notably those of Solnik [22], Adler and Dumas [2], Senbet and Chen [19] and most recently, Mehra [15]. While it is not the purpose of the present paper to debate the merits of these competing models, it is necessary, however, that one model be selected for the proceeding analysis. Due to the somewhat restrictive assumptions used by Solnik [22] and Adler and Dumas [2], the models of Senbet and Chen [19] and Mehra [15] shall be used in this paper. The latter two models are international equilibrium pricing models which explicitly incorporate the exchange risk factor.

Continuing Controversies and Ethical Issues in Global Marketing Management

The objective of this panel is to generate interest in controversial and ethical issues in Global Marketing Management. Each of the presenters will bring to the session his or her own experience and knowledge about these issues and will demonstrate that conclusions reached are dependent upon a person’s point of view.