Sharif As-Saber

Service embeddedness and its impact on the value chain and firm internationalisation: in search of a framework

Internationalisation theory has largely been concerned with analysing firm internationalisation strategy and entry mode choice from a manufacturing firms perspective. Nonetheless, as the composition of a firms product usually contains both tangible and service characteristics, it is important to understand the extent of service components that embody, or are embedded in, a product. This paper introduces the concept of service embeddedness, which is defined as the service characteristics existing in all products and are usually incorporated to add value to a product offering. From this perspective, the paper continues to outline a value chain that shows how value is created through a series of activities similar, but somewhat distinguishable, from the value chain generally applied to manufactured goods. A conceptual model is introduced to determine the likely impact that service embeddedness may have on a firms value-creating activities and its choice of foreign market entry mode.

Service embeddedness and its role in a firm’s internationalisation process: An Australian perspective

Purpose – Perceived differences in the composition of goods and services forms the basis of a significant degree of analysis of the firm internationalisation process. In particular, product inseparability is highlighted as a distinguishing feature of service offerings and purports to explain the different approaches to internationalisation strategy adopted by service firms. The research, however, proposes that the division of goods and services into distinct products is outmoded. Rather, it is important to understand the extent of service components that embody, or are embedded in, a product offering. The authors argue that this “service embeddedness” influences the process by which a firm internationalises. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – Based on ten case studies of Australian international firms, this paper examines the impact of service embeddedness on a firm’s internationalisation process. Findings – The research underlines that firms approach internationalisatio...

Community participation and local governance in Bangladesh

As a condition of receiving foreign aid, developing country governments have actively tried to achieve pro-people development through community participation in local-level development projects. Based on a case study of Bangladesh, this article analyses the impact of community participation on the various governance-related issues such as accountability, transparency, responsiveness and predictability during the implementation of such projects. The empirical findings reveal that efforts to achieve such objectives have mostly been futile, leaving community participation in the local governance process as an inchoate and piecemeal affair. Political manipulation, clientelism and inadequate governance structure and processes have been the key stumbling blocks contributing to such failures. This study provides important insights into governance at the local level, implying that greater awareness and participation are needed to formulate and implement effective community-based local governance in developing countries such as Bangladesh. 作为接收外国援助的一项条件，发展中国家的政府会积极通过地方层面的发展项目的社区参与，来取得民生的发展。本文基于对孟加拉的一项个案研究，分析了社区参与对各种治理相关话题的影响，诸如项目实施期间的问责、透明度、因应、可预见性等等。实证研究发现，实现这些目标的努力大多劳而无功，搞得地方治理过程中的社区参与有始无终，七零八落。政治操控、裙带关系、不到位的治理结构及过程都是导致失败的绊脚石。本文深入考察了地方层面的治理，指出在孟加拉国这样的发展中国家，需要更大的自觉和更多的参与来规划并实施有效的社区层面的地方治理。

The dark side of MNCs

Conventional international business (IB) theories generally view multinational corporations (MNCs) as agents of economic exchange and as ethically benign or neutral. This article explores a darker side of IB, with numbers of IB firms involved in activities that could be considered unethical or illegal, or both. Drawing on a taxonomy of ‘black international business’ (black IB), and both historic and recent examples, this article outlines such MNC activities. It explores impacts of these activities on stakeholders, including nation-states, businesses and individuals. The authors call for academics within the field of organizational studies to create awareness and understanding of such activities.

Healthcare Governance and Climate Change Adaptation: A Pharmaceutical Industry Perspective

The 4th assessment report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) concludes that ‘the global burden of disease and premature deaths’ are somewhat contributed by climate change (IPCC, Introduction to the working group II – fourth assessment report. In: Parry ML, Canziani OF, Palutikof JP, van der Linden PJ, Hanson CE (eds) Climate change 2007: impacts, adaptation and vulnerability. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, pp 1–6, 2007). The extant literature and scientific evidence on climate change and public health also suggest that climate change could create one of the biggest challenges to public health and its future governance. This does not only have profound impact on public sector health services but also poses significant threats to private sector health service providers. One of the private sector establishments that tend to become directly affected by climate change is the pharmaceutical industry. Given the scenario of uncertainty and risk associated with climate change, this industry appears to be in a unique albeit intricate situation as it faces both risks and opportunities as a consequence of climate change. As climate change adaptation entails both risk aversion and opportunity utilisation, it may, therefore, be considered useful to study the pharmaceutical industry in relation to its exposure to climate change and subsequent adaptation measures. Given the paramount importance of climate change adaptation by the pharmaceutical industry and its social and environmental implications, the issue of governance becomes an indispensible part of any such study. Following a scrutiny of the extant literature and recent scientific evidence on climate change, this chapter aims to present climate change adaptation strategies adopted by the pharmaceutical industry. The role of government in managing or moderating these strategies is also considered.