Jorge Carneiro

Porter revisitado: análise crítica da tipologia estratégica do mestre

Michael Porters (1980) strategic typology is presented. Some critical analyses, complements and refinements advanced by many authors, especially Mintzberg (1988), are discussed. Some extensions proposed by Miller and Dess (1993) and Chrisman, Hofer and Boulton (1988) are also shown. The Resource-Based View is put forward as a counterpoint. The evolution of Porters (1980) line of thought through the years - since 1980 until 1996 - is also discussed, which makes it possible to understand the way Porter (1980) has been detailing and redefining his focus - from industry structure up to the system of activities.

Determinants of export performance: a study of large brazilian manufacturing firms

This research investigated the impact the external environment, firm characteristics and firm strategy have on export performance. To this end, a survey was administered to 448 large Brazilian exporters of manufactured products. A structural equation modeling (SEM) approach was used to fit the conceptual model to empirical data. An extensive set of procedures for the validation of measurement models was used. Export performance exhibited a multidimensional structure and the model explained 76.6% and 40.1% of the observed variance of past export revenues and of past export profitability, respectively.

A critical analysis of measurement models of export performance

Poor conceptualization of the export performance construct may undermine theory development efforts and may be one of the reasons behind the often conflicting findings in empirical research on the export performance phenomenon. This article reviews the conceptual and empirical literature and proposes a new analytical scheme that may serve as a standard for judging content validity and a guiding yardstick for drawing operational representations of the construct. A critical assessment of some of the most frequently cited measurement frameworks, followed by an analysis of recent (1999-2004) empirical research, leaves no doubt that there are flaws in the conceptualization and operationalization of the performance construct that ought to be addressed. A new measurement model is advanced along with some guidelines which are suggested for its future empirical validation. The new measurement framework allegedly improves on other past efforts in terms of breadth of coverage of the constructs domain (content validity). It also offers a measurement perspective (with the simultaneous use of both formative and reflective approaches) that appears to reflect better the nature of the construct.

Challenging the uppsala internationalization model: a contingent approach to the internationalization of services

Some authors have questioned whether the well-known Uppsala internationalization model would be generalizable to services. We take one of the models assumptions - that firms will follow a gradually increasing resource commitment path in each country - and challenge whether it would hold up under specific service characteristics or particular combinations of environmental variables and service characteristics. We review the literature in search of more appropriate dimensions for the classification of services that would allow for the test of the Uppsala models assumption. Based on purely conceptual reasoning, supported by previous empirical studies, we propose some hypotheses about how service firms would be expected to behave - in terms of their choice of foreign entry mode - under certain circumstances and what the performance implications would be expected to be. These hypotheses are contrary to the Uppsala models predictions. This paper is solely conceptual, so the key constructs (environment and service-specific variables) would still require operationalization before the hypotheses can be empirically tested.

Proposal of a validation framework for a new measurement model and its application to the export performance construct

This paper presents a comprehensive and integrated set of validation procedures to assess the satisfac toriness of measurement models of multifaceted constructs. The validation framework is then applied to a new measurement model of the economic domain of export performance, a construct for which agreement has not yet been r eached in the literature concerning the appropriate repres entation of its complex nature. A sample of 414 lar ge Brazilian exporters of manufactured products was collected, a nd five competing measurement models of the construct were proposed and comparatively assessed. Insights into the nature and structure of the construct are drawn. In the best fitting of the five tested models, export (venture) performance is represented as a two-dimen sional construct ‐ past export revenues and their growth, and past export profitability, with four and two op erational indicators, respectively. The set of final indicato rs provides a reasonable coverage of several concep tual aspects of the phenomenon, namely absolute and relative measures as well as static and dynamic orientations. T here is a thorough discussion of validation steps. The valida tion framework advanced here is generic and comprehensive enough to be employed for modeling other multifaceted constructs in the social sciences.

The Performance Logic of International Diversification

Abstract Purpose This study sheds light on the complex relationship between international diversification and firm performance and explores whether future performance expectations seem to drive managerial decisions related to internationalization issues. Methodology/approach We conducted in-depth investigation of five firms. This qualitative approach is allegedly better equipped to uncover the peculiarities of specific internationalization decisions by individual companies and the performance consequences derived from modifications in the degree of international diversification, which might go unnoticed in large-sample statistical analyses. Findings In line with Hennart’s (2007, 2011) and Verbeke and Brugman’s (2009) theoretical arguments, our findings indicate that no universal relationship should be expected between international diversification and firm performance. Rather, the performance consequences of internationalization-related decisions depend on the particular combinations of a firm’s characteristics and environment contingencies. Given managerial discretion, internationalization decisions would not be randomly made, but rather would be endogenous, and, as such, the relationship between multinationality and performance can only be understood if one takes a contingent approach. Additionally, internationalization decisions seem to be taken within a context of uncertainty regarding the future, which suggests that managers seem to approach internationalization with a long-term perspective and may in fact be “buying real options.” Research limitations/implications This study examined only five cases and they all relate to a particular type of firm: all are headquartered in a large emerging market with good domestic growth prospects, and each either is the leader or stands among the largest in its industry in the domestic market. While this relative homogeneity in the selection of the cases minimizes confounding factors, it suggests that findings may be specific to this particular (firm and market) context. Practical implications Managers should be aware that decisions that modify the international configuration of a firm might have distinct implications across different firms, given the particular (firm, industry, and environment) contingencies. Therefore, no universal normative orientation should be expected between international diversification and performance. Originality/value Although it is often implicitly assumed that managers make (informed) decisions with the objective of improving their firms’ (long-run) performance, there has been little discussion as to whether managers have detailed information about the expected performance implications arising from decisions that change the degree of international diversification of their firm and whether such decisions are driven by expected performance outcomes.

Evolução do ambiente competitivo da indústria de petróleo Argentina

Through the methodology of cases studies, this article analyses: the evolution of the Argentinean oil industry from 1988 to 1996 resulting basically from deregulation started in 1990; the strategic repositioning of Yacimentos Petroliferos Fiscales and its performance before and after privatization held in 1993. We show that the five competitive forces (Porter, 1980) changed from low to medium level resulting in a competitive environment more hostile. The Yacimentos Petroliferos Fiscales changed from a position of low significance and/or incoherence between the competitive methods adopted - an evidence of stuck-in-the-middle strategy - to a clear trend toward a differentiation strategy. Yacimentos Petroliferos Fiscales´s performance evolved coherently with this strategic change, from a ROA loss position of -6.3% (1988-1990), to the current value of 11.4% (1994-1996).

Borderless companies versus born globals: Why we do need another label

This article is intended to show why borderless firms should be distinguished from traditional born global firms (BGs). Borderless firms have an internationally dispersed configuration of downstream, upstream and support value-added activities, an entrepreneurial team not bounded by a home base, and multinational founders, management teams and/or a multinational workforce. The concept of borderless firms emerged from analysis of empirical evidence and is intended to countervail the excessive focus of BGs literature on downstream activities. Drawing from five case studies, we found that borderless firms may be the result of ex-ante planning. However, most often, the internationally dispersed configuration of value chain activities seems to emerge from effectuation approaches, stemming from networking, including unexpected interactions, which may be envisaged as instruments to overcome constraints or to explore new business opportunities. The article shows that borderless firms present features which differentiate them from traditional BGs. Implications for entrepreneurs and researchers are provided in the concluding section.

IMAGEM BRASIL NA PERCEPÇÃO DO CONSUMIDOR ESTRANGEIRO: UMA ABORDAGEM PRÁTICA

The aim of this paper was to evaluate the perception of foreign consumers in relation to their image of Brazil, using a practical approach. Two studies were conducted, using surveys, and descriptive statistics were analyzed to compare the image of Brazil in relation to other countries, and for different products. In the first study, Italian consumers evaluated the images of Brazil and France in relation to refrigerators and ready-to-eat shrimp meals. In the second study, Latin American and French consumers assessed the images of Brazil and Germany in relation to fruits, household appliances, and clothing. Both studies revealed that the cognitive dimensions of human capital and technological/economic development in Brazil are evaluated unfavorably and significantly below countries with higher levels of development. On the other hand, Brazil is favorably assessed in relation to the affective aspects of the country’s image. There is also a positive association of Brazil with its natural elements, its climate and soil fertility, which positively impact the image of products linked to these attributes, such as food. These results have important implications for managers, especially regarding the use of the Brazil brand for the internationalization of Brazilian products.

Exportações Brasileiras: Benefícios e Obstáculos na Percepção das Empresas

Since exports affect the performance of firms and are an important determinant of the economic growth of countries, it is important to have a better understanding of the factors that influence the involvement of firms with exports. Such understanding will provide Governments with proper information for effective support programs to stimulate exports. This study of manufacturing firms – exporters and non-exporters – presents managers’ perceptions about the exports benefits and barriers, and about firms’ resources and capabilities to export. The reported perception of barriers and costs associated with the exports are similar across experienced exporters and non-exporters, suggesting that accumulated exporting experience acquired by the former does not seem to diminish the perception of the intensity of export barriers.