Rick Molz

Institutional Realities and Constraints on Change: The Case of SME in Russia

This article presents the results of exploratory field research investigating the impact of the enabling institutional environment and internal firm capabilities in the information technology sector in St. Petersburg, Russia. Through a series of semi-structured interviews and confirmatory research through the UNDP and UNIDO, the study finds the emerging institutional environment remains weak, unpredictable and unstable, creating challenges for SMEs to contribute to the growth and development of the Russian economy.

Co-Evolution Of Boards Of Directors In Microfinance Organizations: The Case Of Bancosol And Los Andes

The mission and performance of an enterprise is the legal and strategic responsibility of the Board of Directors (BOD). For the BODs of microfinance institutions (MFIs) this task is even more challenging. This study investigates the connection between the composition and roles of BODs and organizational evolution. It builds on the experiences of BancoSol and Los Andes, two MFIs that pioneered microfinance in Bolivia. The findings support the notion that BODs evolve to fit the needs of organizations at different stages of industry and organizational evolution. While these results are not surprising, previous research has not shown the micro-dynamics involved in this co-evolution and thus their impact on board composition and roles.

A Framework for multilevel organization analysis in developing countries

There is an ongoing debate over the transference of managerial and organizational skills, techniques, values and culture from developed countries to developing countries. We argue there is a false underlying assumption among academics in developed countries that the theoretical template of managerial and organizational attributes in developing countries is similar to what one finds in developed countries. Two key analytical insights are offered. First, we explicitly differentiate organizational, environmental and cultural characteristics of developed and developing countries. Second, we apply Scott’s (1992) natural/ecological level of analysis to create a framework to better carry out organizational analysis in developing countries.

Logics of local actors and global agents: divergent values, divergent world views

Purpose – This paper seeks to develop a theoretical explanation of conflicts and incompatible interpretations of events between agents of multinational corporations (MNCs) and actors present in certain host countries. It aims to situate the argument in comparative economic systems as a part of a broader social system. The socio‐economic system can be modeled using institutional theory, particularly using Scotts three pillars and the concept of formal and informal institutions. Within different socio‐economic systems a dominant logic is developed, and this becomes internalized among actors and agents as behavioral scripts.Design/methodology/approach – The paper uses a multi‐level and multi‐disciplinary conceptual analysis, developing a model of dominant logic and behavioral scripts with MNC agents and traditional emerging economy actors.Findings – MNC agents and traditional emerging economy actors have difficulty comprehending the logic of the other, creating a fertile context for conflict.Research limita...

Corporate Diplomacy and Institutional Upheaval in Host Countries: The ‘Arab Spring’ Experience of Two Canadian Multinationals in Egypt

Abstract Purpose In this study, we explored the behaviour of two Canadian multinational companies operating in the context of Arab Spring events in Egypt in 2011. Design/methodology/approach We conducted a fine-grained analysis of 171 documents of various secondary sources to understand the behaviour of the two firms in Egypt between 25 January 2011 and 30 June 2012. Findings We suggest that corporate diplomacy should be viewed as portfolios of interdependent actions rather than reactions to discrete events. We also underline the importance for organisations to have a proactive, holistic and inclusive corporate diplomacy strategy, with the objective to secure and balance both explicit political/legal licence and implicit social licence. Research limitations/implications We intentionally focused our empirical analysis on two Canadian firms operating in the same host country and belonging to the same industry. It would be useful to carry similar research in different organisational and institutional contexts.

A Resource Based View of Privatization as Capabilities Development: Ownership and Networks

ABSTRACT Privatization is a complex phenomenon that can be viewed as a transformational strategy and a frame-breaking event. We focus on the resource based view as the driver in trade sale privatization, and we extend the concept into collaborative networks, in which the acquiring firm, the other network participants and the firm being privatized all contribute resources that enable the combined entity to gain a competitive advantage. We offer six framing propositions and provide empirical evidence from a field study of Telmex, the privatized Mexican telecommunications firm. RESUMEN. La Privatización es un fenómeno complejo que puede considerarse una estrategia de transformación, y un acontecimiento que rompe los marcos existentes. En este estudio enfocamos nuestro análisis en una perspectiva basada en que el recurso es un impulsor de la privatización a través de la venta de negocios, y ampliamos el concepto hasta incluir a las redes colaborativas mediante las cuales la empresa adquirente, la otra red participante y la empresa que está siendo privatizada contribuyen con recursos en unísono, que permiten que la entidad combinada adquiera una ventaja competitiva. Ofrecemos seis propuestas marco y pruebas empíricas de un estudio de campo de Telmex, la empresa mexicana de telecomunicaciones privatizada. RESUMO. A privatização é um fenômeno complexo que pode ser visto como uma estratégica de transformação e um evento de quebra de parâmetros. Concentramo-nos na visão resource-based como força motriz da privatização, e estendemos o conceito para networks colaborativas, nas quais a empresa compradora, os outros participantes da rede e a firma que está sendo privatizada, todos contribuem com recursos que capacitam a entidade combinada resultante a ganhar uma vantagem competitiva. Oferecemos seis proposições de modelo e apresentamos evidência empírica oriunda de uma pesquisa de campo sobre a Telmex, a empresa de telecomunicações mexicana privatizada.