Michael Behnam

As If it Were Relevant A Systems Theoretical Perspective on the Relation Between Science and Practice

This article discusses the concept of research relevance from a systems theoretical perspective. Based on the claim that many scholars still think of relevance as something that can be achieved and enhanced by choosing the “right” measures (e.g., “user-friendly” writing style), the authors argue that such a perspective obscures the self-referential status of “science” and “practice” as social systems in society. Our systems theoretical discussion, which is based on the work of German sociologist Niklas Luhmann, shows that, strictly speaking, science cannot produce relevant knowledge prior to application. Instead, practice has to make scientific knowledge relevant by incorporating it into the specific logic of its system. We argue that such an integration of knowledge is only possible by first acting as if the offered knowledge were relevant and to then modify and extend it according to the idiosyncrasies of the system. We characterize these as-if assumptions as fictions and show their significance for rethinking the concept of relevance.

Trust and the United Nations Global Compact: A Network Theory Perspective

The United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) is a Global Public Policy Network supporting ten universal principles in the areas of human rights, labor standards, environmental protection, and anticorruption. Networks such as the UNGC are an organizational form with distinct structural properties and specific requirements regarding coordination. Relationships among network partners are typically complex, reciprocal, and trust based. Despite the relevance of trust for a successful coordination of networks, the literature on the UNGC remains relatively silent when it comes to this phenomenon. The conditions and mechanisms that contribute to the constitution of trust in the UNGC are poorly understood. Based on research in network theory, the authors argue that the trust of participants and other stakeholders supporting the UNGC is a key precondition to enhance collaboration and to further develop the initiative. Against this background, the aim of this article is to develop a systematic approach to foster the constitution of trust in the UNGC. A thorough investigation of the connection between trust and the UNGC may help identify concrete measures for increasing the scale and scope of collaboration between stakeholders and stimulating not only collective learning but also the implementation of the Global Compact’s ten principles.

Management ethischer Konflikte in international tätigen Unternehmen

Unternehmensethik als Forschungsgegenstand Ansatze zur Unternehmensethik in den USA und im deutschsprachigen Raum Ergebnisse einer empirischen Studie zu intra- und interorganisatorischen Konflikten international tatiger Unternehmen und ihrer Handhabung Kritische Reflexion der Handhabung ethischer Konflikte Neuere Ansatze zur Regelung ethischer Konflikte Moglichkeiten der Implementierung ethischer Reflexion

Competitive advantage from exposure to multiple national environments: the induced internationalisation of 'born-multidomestic' firms

Recent work on early internationalisers and born-global firms emphasises the entrepreneurial orientation of these firms. In contrast, this paper analyses the neglected, but nonetheless prevalent, phenomenon of firms that enter foreign markets at a relatively early stage because their home country and/or line of business embeds them in an international environment. Such ‘induced’ early internationalisers can be called born-multidomestic firms. A basic model of causes and competitive effects of induced early internationalisation is illustrated with a longitudinal study of software maker SAP AG of Germany.