Mark C. Baetz

Explaining the international intensity and global diversity of early-stage technology-based firms

Abstract Early-stage technology-based firms are confronted with the complexity of foreign markets and global competition from their earliest stages of development. Not only must technology entrepreneurs keep pace with ever-changing technology-based product offerings, but they must also simultaneously stay abreast of competitors and industry trends in multiple countries. We surveyed 75 small technology-based firms in Ontario to evaluate their international activities and try to explain both the intensity of their foreign sales (the percent of total sales coming from foreign sources), as well as the global diversity of the markets in which they operate (the number of major regional areas from which they derive revenue). Our findings suggest that resources necessary to pursue international sales have an important impact on both foreign market intensity and diversity. In contrast, however, attitudes towards foreign markets helped to explain international intensity but not global diversity. Additionally, firm age was positively associated with global diversity but not international intensity. These findings support the notion of small technology firms being “instant internationals” but suggest that proceeding to the next step—achieving global diversity— requires significantly greater time and resources. In line with prior empirical research, these firms tended to increase their international intensity and diversity as they became larger. In contrast with what the literature suggests, however, firms utilizing strategic alliances were no more active internationally than those not using strategic alliances. Finally, government assistance helped to explain the international intensity of these firms, but not the global diversity. These results help managers, researchers and shapers of public policy better understand the international activities of early-stage technology firms. Given the relationship between attitudes and international intensity, there appears to be some opportunity associated with trying to influence the attitudes of CEOs regarding initial expansion into international markets. For firms to become globally diverse, however, there is a greater dependency on the availability of resources as well as accumulated business experience. Managers should recognize the pattern this suggests and perhaps be leery of becoming too globally diverse too quickly. Overall, the relationship between size and foreign activities suggests that growth opportunities are linked to international markets. Although some broad relationships are suggested regarding the need for collaboration and government support, further research is necessary to understand the use of strategic alliances as well as government assistance in both international market intensity and global diversity.

Developing Mission Statements which Work

A mission statement is potentially an invaluable tool for formulating and implementing an organizations strategy. This article reports on a survey of large Canadian firms to determine the prevalence of mission statements and how they are created and used. Most large firms had a mission statement, the top management group was most involved in its creation, it was used for a variety of purposes, and the majority of firms were satisfied with the statement and the process they has used to create it.

Leveraging human capital through an employee volunteer program

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore how an employee volunteer program (EVP) as one aspect of responsible corporate citizenship (typically expressed in a mission statement) can influence the relationships among a firm, its employees and its community.Design/methodology/approach – A pedagogical approach used in the educational sector known as “community service‐learning” or “service‐learning” was used as the basis for analyzing the experiences of 12 first‐time volunteering employees who described in a personal interview the motivations and outcomes associated with their participation in their EVP.Findings – It was found that all three elements of service‐learning – that is, reciprocity, reflection, and development of responsible citizenship skills – were useful in understanding how an EVP can leverage human capital to benefit the firm, its employees and the community and make a firms mission of responsible citizenship a reality.Research limitations/implications – Despite the small sample size...

Using examples of prior community service experience to enhance reflection skills in community service-learning

Community service-learning (CSL) is an educational approach which depends on students reflecting about their learning from service in the community. The pre-service phase of CSL involves reflecting about learning from prior community service. This paper reports on how results of a survey of students who reflected on prior community service can be used in the pre-service phase of courses with a CSL component to illustrate the principle of reciprocity and possible learning outcomes associated with CSL, and to demonstrate how course theory can be applied to community service experiences. The survey also provided examples of possible responses to specific reflection questions in syllabi for courses with CSL. This approach of using examples of prior community service experiences was seen as playing a significant role in effectively introducing students to the reflective process embedded in CSL.

THE ROLE OF GOVERNMENT IN MANUFACTURING AUTOMATION: THE VIEWS AND EXPERIENCE OF SMALL VERSUS LARGE BUSINESS

ABSTRACT Automation of the manufacturing sector is proceeding worldwide at a rapid pace. Government can play a significant role in the modernization and competitive positioning of Canadas manufacturing sector by encouraging and facilitating the use of new manufacturing technologies. In this study small, medium and large Ontario firms reported their attitude towards and experience with various federal and provincial government programs. Overall, manufacturers made little use of government programs. Small firms availed themselves of assistance much less than large firms, and smaller firms are unaware of most such assistance. Grants, low-interest loans and tax relief were the favoured forms of assistance.

Creativity, convergence or confusion: what do socially responsible investment organisations contribute to the governance debate in Canada?

The proliferation of governance measurements and ranking schemes has led to an intense debate about corporate governance standards and reform. In Canada, socially responsible investment (SRI) organisations have joined the debate by including governance in their screening processes and shareholder advocacy activities. In this paper, we describe and compare the governance positions taken by SRI organisations and the more mainstream financial community. We identify areas of convergence between the two groups, and suggest why collaboration between them would be productive for governance reform.

North American Experience With Business Policy Field Projects

This paper reports on student and site manager evaluations of Business Policy field projects from five universities in Canada and the United States. In total, there were over 900 detailed evaluations by students and site managers and more limited assessments from another 1200 students. A preliminary analysis is presented of various factors which potentially influ enced these evaluations. The single biggest negative aspect of the project was seen by students to be the time allocated to the project. This suggests that schools should modify their programmes to ensure students have the time to carry out the projects in a meaningful way. Another major problem with the project identified by students is the lack of faculty direction and unclear expectations. This suggests that faculty must clearly specify their objectives for the project so students will appreciate the many varied benefits from it.