United we stand: A call for collective cooperation of SME's when they trade globally using internet technology

This paper examines the potential for cluster associations to act globally, enabled by information computer technology (ICT). In particular, it explores the relationship between cooperation and organizational structures and systems of action in developing an ICT capability. The slow up-take of ICT and the problems involved is also becoming of increased interest to policymakers. This paper outlines how, through the use of cluster associations based on co-operation and effective structures and systems, this can be maximized. The proposition introduced in this paper argues that cluster associations with low power-dependence and decentralized structures are better able to provide the necessary support that such SMEs require to utilize the technology

ORIENTAÇÃO EMPREENDEDORA DE PEQUENAS E MÉDIAS EMPRESAS COM POTENCIAL EXPORTADOR DO MUNICÍPIO DE SÃO BERNARDO DO CAMPO

O objetivo central deste estudo é o de identificar a influência das principais características da orientação empreendedora de um gestor de PME-Pequena e Média Empresa do setor metal-mecânico de São Bernardo do Campo, no processo de internacionalização da empresa. A pesquisa, por meio de estudo de caso em quatro empresas do município de São Bernardo do Campo, município que concentra muitas empresas e é responsável por importante parcela da corrente de comércio do Brasil inteiro, identifica a influência das principais características da orientação empreendedora de um gestor destas PME. Na estruturação e validação do instrumento de investigação, por meio do estudo de caso, foram entrevistados pelo autor os quatro principais gestores destas PME, sob um roteiro estruturado, que confrontado com as dimensões das orientações empreendedoras e as teorias de internacionalização, conseguiu concluir que o sucesso neste processo está diretamente ligado à orientação do seu gestor, que pode ou não encaminhar a empresa a um processo de internacionalização, para tanto, este gestor precisa dominar parte destas dimensões de orientação de forma sistêmica e aplicá-las no seu negócio.

A RELAÇÃO DAS PRÁTICAS DE GOVERNANÇA CORPORATIVA EM EMPRESAS PRESTADORAS DE SERVIÇOS DE PORTARIA E LIMPEZA NA REGIÃO DO ABC

Após escândalos em gestão como o caso da Enron, Parmalat e Xerox, as boas práticas da Governança Corporativa são consideradas uma ferramenta de auxilio na gestão, exigindo que a organização tenha mais transparência, equidade, responsabilidade corporativa e prestação de contas. Mediante a isto, este trabalho de pesquisa tem como objetivo principal verificar as práticas da governança corporativa que são praticadas em empresas de capital fechado consideradas pequenas e médias (PME`s) no segmento de portaria e limpeza e, se as boas ou algumas destas práticas trazem geração de valor para as organizações. Essa pesquisa será realizada nas cidades de Santo André, São Bernardo e São Caetano do Sul, Estado de São Paulo. A justificativa para este projeto de pesquisa se dá pelo fato de existir carência de estudos medindo diretamente as práticas de governança corporativa em empresas de serviço (PME s) e também porque a taxa de mortalidade entre as empresas prestadoras de serviços segundo dados do IBGE (2008) é considerada alta devido a vários fatores, sendo um em especial, mensurado como deficiência do gestor. A governança corporativa trata diretamente do controle interno e a gestão de risco da organização (MOTTA, SILVEIRA E BORGES 2006), portanto as falhas gerencias podem ser minimizadas com a adoção desta prática. As informações foram obtidas através de survey de questionários a partir de gestores das empresas estudadas previamente mapeados e escala com dados primários e quantitativos. Os resultados apresentaram que existe uma relação com a Governança Corporativa e Desempenho nas empresas da amostra. Os construtos responsabilidade corporativa, prestação de contas e transparência tiveram maior significância enquanto equidade apresentou sentido inverso com o desempenho.(AU)

Implications of restructuring and privatisation for competitiveness and perfomance:two Brazilian steel companies

The thesis examines the effects of the privatisation process on productivity, competitiveness and performance in two major Brazilian steel companies, which were privatised in between 1991 and 1993. The case study method was adopted in this research due to its strengths as a useful technique allowing in-depth examination of the privatisation process, the context in which it happened and its effects on the companies. The thesis has developed a company analysis framework consisting of three components: management, competitiveness/productivity and performance and examined the evidence on the companies within this framework.The research indicates that there is no straightforward relationship between privatisation, competitiveness and performance. There were many significant differences in the management and technological capabilities, products and performance of the two companies, and these have largely influenced the effects of privatisation on each company. Company Alpha's strengths in technological and management capabilities and high value added products explain strong productivity and financial performance during and after privatisation. Company Beta's performance was weak before the privatisation and remained weak immediately after. Before the privatisation, weaknesses in management, commodity type low value added products and shortage of funds for investment were the major problems. These were compounded by greater government interference. Despite major restructuring, the poor performance has continued after privatisation largely because the company has not been able to improve its productivity sufficiently to be cost competitive in commodity type markets. Both companies state that their strategies have changed significantly. They claim to be more responsive to market conditions and customers and are attempting to develop closer links with major customers. It is not possible to assess the consequences of these changes in the short time that has elapsed since privatisation but Alpha appears to be more effective in developing a coherent strategy because of its strengths. Both companies accelerated their programme of organisational restructuring and reducing the number of their employees during the privatisation process to improve productivity and performance. Alpha has attained standards comparable to major international steel companies. Beta has had to make much bigger organisational changes and cuts in its labour force but its productivity levels still remain low in comparison with Alpha and international competitors.

Technology valuation within the context of transfer collaborations with Chinese machine tool companies

The point of departure for this study was a recognition of the differences in suppliers' and acquirers' judgements of the value of technology when transferred between the two, and the significant impacts of technology valuation on the establishment of technology partnerships and effectiveness of technology collaborations. The perceptions, transfer strategies and objectives, perceived benefits and assessed technology contributions as well as associated costs and risks of both suppliers and acquirers were seen to be the core to these differences. This study hypothesised that the capability embodied in technology to yield future returns makes technology valuation distinct from the process of valuing manufacturing products. The study hence has gone beyond the dimensions of cost calculation and price determination that have been discussed in the existing literature, by taking a broader view of how to achieve and share future added value from transferred technology. The core of technology valuation was argued as the evaluation of the 'quality' of the capability (technology) in generating future value and the effectiveness of the transfer arrangement for best use of such a capability. A dynamic approach comprising future value generation and realisation within the context of specific forms of collaboration was therefore adopted. The research investigations focused on the UK and China machine tool industries, where there are many technology transfer activities and the value issue has already been recognised in practice. Data were gathered from three groups: machine tool manufacturing technology suppliers in the UK and acquirers in China, and machine tool users in China. Data collecting methods included questionnaire surveys and case studies within all the three groups. The study has focused on identifying and examining the major factors affecting value as well as their interactive effects on technology valuation from both the supplier's and acquirer's point of view. The survey results showed the perceptions and the assessments of the owner's value and transfer value from the supplier's and acquirer's point of view respectively. Benefits, costs and risks related to the technology transfer were the major factors affecting the value of technology. The impacts of transfer payment on the value of technology by the sharing of financial benefits, costs and risks between partners were assessed. The close relationship between technology valuation and transfer arrangements was established by which technical requirements and strategic implications were considered. The case studies reflected the research propositions and revealed that benefits, costs and risks in the financial, technical and strategic dimensions interacted in the process of technology valuation within the context of technology collaboration. Further to the assessment of factors affecting value, a technology valuation framework was developed which suggests that technology attributes for the enhancement of contributory factors and their contributions to the realisation of transfer objectives need to be measured and compared with the associated costs and risks. The study concluded that technology valuation is a dynamic process including the generation and sharing of future value and the interactions between financial, technical and strategic achievements.

The impact of board independence and ownership structure on the timeliness of corporate internet reporting of Irish-listed companies

Purpose – This study seeks to provide valuable new insight into the timeliness of corporate internet reporting (TCIR) by a sample of Irish-listed companies. Design/methodology/approach – The authors apply an updated version of Abdelsalam et al. TCIR index to assess the timeliness of corporate internet reporting. The index encompasses 13 criteria that are used to measure the TCIR for a sample of Irish-listed companies. In addition, the authors assess the timeliness of posting companies’ annual and interim reports to their web sites. Furthermore, the study examines the influence of board independence and ownership structure on the TCIR behaviour. Board composition is measured by the percentage of independent directors, chairman’s dual role and average tenure of directors. Ownership structure is represented by managerial ownership and blockholder ownership. Findings – It is found that Irish-listed companies, on average, satisfy only 46 per cent of the timeliness criteria assessed by the timeliness index. After controlling for size, audit fees and firm performance, evidence that TCIR is positively associated with board of director’s independence and chief executive officer (CEO) ownership is provided. Furthermore, it is found that large companies are faster in posting their annual reports to their web sites. The findings suggest that board composition and ownership structure influence a firm’s TCIR behaviour, presumably in response to the information asymmetry between management and investors and the resulting agency costs. Practical implications – The findings highlight the need for improvement in TCIR by Irish-listed companies in many areas, especially in regard to the regular updates of information provided on their web sites. Originality/value – This study represents one of the first comprehensive examinations of the important dimension of the TCIR in Irish-listed companies.