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1 – 10 of 350Marco Bettiol, Maria Chiarvesio, Eleonora Di Maria, Cristina Di Stefano and Luciano Fratocchi
The advantages of offshoring are increasingly under scrutiny, and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has advanced the debate, calling for a redefinition of firms' production…
Abstract
Purpose
The advantages of offshoring are increasingly under scrutiny, and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has advanced the debate, calling for a redefinition of firms' production location strategies. While attention has primarily focused on the relocation of second-degree strategies, such as back-shoring, near-shoring and further offshoring, there are also other alternatives, including home country-based domestic product and process innovations, and the development of new business activities. The objective of the authors' paper is to identify which factors influence decision-makers when they select and implement such post-offshoring strategic alternatives.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors consider 11 Italian manufacturing companies that implemented these strategies and analyze triggers, drivers, enabling factors and barriers of the decision phase, as well as content, governance mode and timing of the implementation phase.
Findings
Based on the collected findings, the authors suggest a set of propositions for further research. First of all, firms can simultaneously manage multiple strategies by adopting an ambidextrous approach through which to mitigate supply chain risks. They may integrate their domestic and international production activities, but the home country remains central for innovations and production of high-end products and Industry 4.0 technologies increases the probability of investing in their home country. At the same time, lack of competence induces selective near- and back-shoring, while full back-shoring is mainly a consequence of managerial mistakes. Competence availability acts as a barrier to relocation in the home country, inducing the implementation of either an insourcing strategy or a combination of insourcing and outsourcing.
Originality/value
The authors' work identifies post-offshoring as a dynamic process and provides insights into the post-pandemic scenario. The conceptual framework may represent a useful tool for company managers in re-evaluating their initial offshoring strategies.
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David Drewery, My Truong and Anne-Marie Fannon
This study aims to explore the relationship between the number of co-operative (co-op) education work terms that students completed and the importance they attach to employer and…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to explore the relationship between the number of co-operative (co-op) education work terms that students completed and the importance they attach to employer and job attributes (i.e. work values).
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected from a large cross-sectional survey of co-op students (N = 2,097) from one Canadian university.
Findings
Of the 19 work values measured, only six were related to work experience. Whereas work experience was related to several of the least important work values, such as geographic location, it was unrelated to many of the most important work values, such as work–life balance. Further, evidence suggests that changes in work values occur when work experience is first introduced in the curriculum (e.g. first co-op work term), not at subsequent work experiences.
Research limitations/implications
The findings extend the understanding of how work-integrated learning (WIL) prepares students to make decisions about their careers in the future of work and provide insights to address the challenge of scaling WIL. However, the study draws on cross-sectional data from one single Canadian university and does not explore potentially confounding factors including time itself or critical events such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
Practical implications
WIL educators may leverage these findings to improve their understanding of how students' work values evolve as they complete WIL experiences. They may also use insights from the study to align students' needs and employers' understandings of those needs.
Originality/value
This study is the first to explore how work values might change throughout a WIL program, particularly among Gen Z students whose work values seem divergent from those of previous generations.
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The purpose of this study is to arrive at a conceptual roadmap that may be used to analyze the impacts of post-disaster relocation on a family’s dynamics and how this, in turn…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to arrive at a conceptual roadmap that may be used to analyze the impacts of post-disaster relocation on a family’s dynamics and how this, in turn, affects their resilience to future disasters. Existing literature shows that the role of the family as a social unit is often overlooked in disaster research. Ultimately, this paper seeks to elevate the place of the family and its internal dynamics as a vital determinant of family resilience in a post-disaster relocation setting.
Design/methodology/approach
The study is a result of a systematic literature review of four interrelated topics, namely, families in disasters; post-disaster relocation; disaster resilience and family resilience.
Findings
The literature review resulted in an exploration of the experiences of families amidst post-disaster relocation. Such findings were linked towards potential impacts on family dynamics, which then resulted in the study’s proposed roadmap.
Originality/value
The study is a novel attempt at coming up with a conceptual framework that may guide future scholars in determining the effects of family dynamics on a family’s overall disaster resilience amid post-disaster relocation. It is hoped that the use of such a framework will guide policymakers in crafting institutional reforms that take into account family cohesion in disaster relocation efforts.
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Javier Turienzo and Jesús F. Lampón
The purpose of this paper is to analyze the new technologies that condition location strategy and enable the reindustrialization of European countries involved in the automotive…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to analyze the new technologies that condition location strategy and enable the reindustrialization of European countries involved in the automotive industry. Business relocation has seen an upsurge in recent years. The development of the technologies linked to new mobility (connected, autonomous and electric vehicles) in European countries is increasing interest in relocating high value activities in origin countries to preserve high quality jobs and maintain competitive advantage.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper analyzes the changes in location factors and relocation trends through qualitative research based on a multiple case study methodology of first level suppliers in the automotive industry.
Findings
This study reveals the capacity technology has to reconfigure the automotive value chain and to change traditional location factors and relocation trends. The results show relevant differences between the traditional components production divisions characterized by offshoring processes, in a continuous decrease of activity and deindustrialization, and the new technologies divisions linked to new mobility with strong growth, reshoring of the high value activities, reindustrialization plans and links with research and development. For these new mobility divisions, protection of innovation to prevent the core knowledge transfer and strong collaboration with local research institutions are key in this highly technological location context.
Originality/value
The research analyzes the impact of new mobility technologies on the relocation processes in the automotive industry through an original approach based on the evolution of traditional suppliers with divisions linked to new mobility.
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The purpose of this paper is to investigate the correlation and mechanism between international students and inbound tourism.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the correlation and mechanism between international students and inbound tourism.
Design/methodology/approach
Taking 269 prefecture-level cities in China as a sample, bringing international students and inbound tourism into the same analytical framework, the paper applies the fixed-effects model, instrumental variables model and mediating effects model to investigate the impact of international students on inbound tourism.
Findings
International students significantly contribute to the increase in inbound tourists and tourism revenue in China, which remain valid after a series of robustness tests. When the relocation data of Chinese urban universities and faculties in the 1950s are used as an instrumental variable for the potential endogenous problems of international students, the results are still valid. Heterogeneity research shows that the impact of international students on inbound tourism has heterogeneous effects in different regions. In addition, the mechanism analysis shows that international students promote China’s inbound tourism mainly through two channels: the economic growth effect and the human capital effect.
Research limitations/implications
This paper provides evidence of the correlation between international students and inbound tourism in developing countries. However, as the data for the study are all from China, caution should be taken when applying the findings of this paper to other regions.
Practical implications
This paper provides evidence on the causal relationship between international students and inbound tourism in developing countries. However, as the data for the study are all from China, caution should be taken when applying the findings of this paper to other regions.
Social implications
This paper creatively finds out the instrumental variables of international students with academic education to deal with the potential endogenous problems, and then identifies the causal relationship between international students and inbound tourism.
Originality/value
This paper creatively finds out the instrumental variables of international students to deal with the potential endogenous problems and then identifies the correlation between international students and inbound tourism.
目的
本文将研究样本扩大到中国266个地级市, 将留学生和入境旅游纳入同一分析框架, 从游客规模和旅游收入两个方面衡量入境旅游规模, 并调查留学生对入境旅游规模的影响及其机制。
设计/方法/途径
本文通过使用面板数据的固定效应模型、工具变量和的中介效应, 考察国际学生与入境旅游之间的因果关系。
结果
留学生显著促进了中国入境旅游收入和游客数量的增长, 经过一系列稳健测试后, 上述结果仍然成立; 以20世纪50年代中国城市高校和院系的搬迁数据作为国际学生应对潜在内生性问题的工具变量, 结果仍然有效; 异质性研究表明, 留学生入境旅游效应在不同的时间和地区具有异质性; 在机制分析中, 留学生促进中国入境旅游主要通过三个渠道:经济增长效应、人力资本效应和外商投资效应。
研究局限/启示
本文为发展中国家提供了国际学生与入境旅游之间因果关系的证据。但由于研究数据均来自中国, 将本文的研究结果应用于其他地区时需谨慎。
实践应用
本文为发展中国家提供了国际学生与入境旅游之间因果关系的证据。但由于研究数据均来自中国, 将本文的研究结果应用于其他地区时需谨慎。
社会启示
本文创造性地找出留学生学历教育的工具变量以应对潜在的内生性问题, 进而识别留学生与入境旅游之间的因果关系。
原创性/价值
本文创造性地找出留学生学历教育的工具变量以应对潜在的内生性问题, 进而识别留学生与入境旅游之间的因果关系。
Diseño/metodología/enfoque (límite 100 palabras)
Tomando como muestra 266 ciudades de China a nivel de prefectura, e integrando a los estudiantes internacionales y el turismo receptor en el mismo marco analítico, el documento aplica el modelo de efectos fijos, el modelo de variables instrumentales y el modelo de efectos mediadores para investigar el impacto de los estudiantes internacionales en el turismo receptor.
Objetivo (límite 100 palabras)
El propósito de este documento es investigar la relación causal y el mecanismo entre los estudiantes internacionales y el turismo receptor.
Resultados (límite 100 palabras)
Los estudiantes internacionales contribuyen significativamente al aumento de los turistas entrantes y de los ingresos por turismo en China, que siguen siendo válidos tras una serie de pruebas de solidez. Cuando utilizamos los datos de reubicación de las universidades y facultades urbanas chinas en la década de 1950 como variable instrumental para los posibles problemas endógenos de los estudiantes internacionales, los resultados siguen siendo válidos. La investigación de la heterogeneidad muestra que el impacto de los estudiantes internacionales en el turismo receptor tiene efectos heterogéneos en las distintas regiones. Además, el análisis del mecanismo muestra que los estudiantes internacionales promueven el turismo receptor de China principalmente a través de tres canales: el efecto del crecimiento económico, el efecto del capital humano y el efecto de la inversión extranjera.
Limitaciones/implicaciones de la investigación (límite 100 palabras)
Este trabajo aporta pruebas sobre la relación causal entre los estudiantes internacionales y el turismo receptor en los países en desarrollo. Sin embargo, como todos los datos del estudio proceden de China, hay que ser prudentes a la hora de aplicar los resultados de este trabajo a otras regiones.
Implicaciones prácticas (límite 100 palabras)
Este documento aporta pruebas sobre la relación causal entre los estudiantes internacionales y el turismo receptor en los países en desarrollo. Sin embargo, dado que todos los datos del estudio proceden de China, debe tenerse precaución a la hora de aplicar los resultados de este documento a otras regiones.
Implicaciones sociales (límite 100 palabras)
Este trabajo descubre de forma creativa las variables instrumentales de los estudiantes internacionales con formación académica para hacer frente a los posibles problemas endógenos y, a continuación, identifica la relación causal entre los estudiantes internacionales y el turismo receptor.
Originalidad/valor (límite 100 palabras)
Este trabajo descubre de forma creativa las variables instrumentales de los estudiantes internacionales para tratar los posibles problemas endógenos, y luego identifica la relación causal entre los estudiantes internacionales y el turismo receptor.
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Mireka Caselius and Vesa Suutari
The purpose of the present study is to explore the effects of early life international exposure on the career capital (CC) of adult third culture kids (ATCKs).
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of the present study is to explore the effects of early life international exposure on the career capital (CC) of adult third culture kids (ATCKs).
Design/methodology/approach
The study adopts a qualitative research design based on 34 semi-structured interviews with ATCKs who have had international exposure in their childhood as members of an expatriate family.
Findings
The results show that a globally mobile childhood has extensive long-term impacts on ATCKs' CC in the areas of knowing-why, knowing-how and knowing-whom. Additionally, their early international experience also had several negative impacts across these aspects of CC.
Originality/value
This paper provides a novel understanding of the long-term impacts of early life international exposure on ATCKs' CC, and this paper is the first study to use the CC framework among an ATCK population.
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This paper aims to enhance empirical research on foreign divestment and international relocation by multinational firms are still limited and understudied, although these issues…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to enhance empirical research on foreign divestment and international relocation by multinational firms are still limited and understudied, although these issues have been a frequent phenomenon and carry important economic implications.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper investigates the trends of foreign divestment in South Korea and examines firm- and host country-level determinants in total, manufacture and service sectors from 2010 to 2019.
Findings
Using probit model analysis, the main findings are first, among the firm-level factors, sales revenue and parent firm dummy are shown as negative and significant determinants of foreign divestment especially in manufacturing sector. Second, among the country-level factors, gross domestic product growth rate and regulatory quality that measures perceptions of sound policies that promote private sector development are shown negative and significant determinants of foreign divestment. On the other hand, relationship between the environmental policy stringency and foreign divestment is shown positive and significant.
Originality/value
The results suggest that these nonfirm-specific characteristics are also important factors in firm decision to divest from the host country.
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Lei Zhang, James Lockhart and Wayne Macpherson
Research studies on offshoring and reshoring have predominantly focused on the home company, widely ignoring the offshored company in the host country. The host company's…
Abstract
Purpose
Research studies on offshoring and reshoring have predominantly focused on the home company, widely ignoring the offshored company in the host country. The host company's influence and contribution have been unseen. This research explores how the host company responds to the home company's location decisions to maintain the dyadic relationship.
Design/methodology/approach
An exploratory case study in China was conducted to examine the host company's response to reshoring. The case company has two Japanese parent companies that acted for the emergence of reshoring drivers. Primary and secondary data were collected and analysed through thematic analysis. The host company's response strategies to the home company's relocation decisions were identified and explored.
Findings
The findings reveal that four strategies, identified here as being cost control, market expansion, knowledge seeking and relationship bonding, were implemented by the host company. The importance of Industry 4.0 (I4.0) and knowledge transfer is also emphasised within these strategies.
Practical implications
This research identified active and practical strategies conducted by the host company to maintain a cooperative relationship with the home company(ies). Instead of encountering a passive response from the host company, the home company may consider working with the host to overcome difficulties caused by emerging reshoring drivers and create an outcome beneficial to both.
Originality/value
To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first research to study manufacturing reshoring from the perspective of the host company. It provides a new perspective to understanding this phenomenon.
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This paper aims to integrate the perspectives of expatriation and repatriation not as two unrelated stages but rather as one integrated process.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to integrate the perspectives of expatriation and repatriation not as two unrelated stages but rather as one integrated process.
Design/methodology/approach
A sample comprising 94 human resource (HR) representatives from large Taiwanese multinational corporations (MNCs) provided objective data on the organizational expatriate/repatriate practices.
Findings
The use of developmental assignments was positively related to organizational repatriate turnover, but such a positive relationship was significant only when MNCs used low levels of repatriation support practices. Organizational repatriate turnover was negatively related to employee willingness for expatriation and the use of developmental assignments increased employee willingness for expatriation. Organizational repatriate turnover was a competitive mediator between the use of developmental assignments and employee willingness for expatriation. Moreover, organizational repatriate turnover mediated the relationship when MNCs used low levels of repatriation support practices, but not when MNCs used high levels of repatriation support practices.
Practical implications
MNCs should ensure the use of development assignments is matched with high levels of repatriation support practices and treat expatriation and repatriation management as one integrated process.
Originality/value
As the world economy becomes more integrated, MNCs are increasingly challenged in their efforts to send employees abroad on expatriate assignments that are developmental by design, to reduce organizational repatriate turnover and to increase employee willingness for expatriation. However, there is a lack of understanding about how they are all linked.
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Managerial discourses tend to portray work-related mobility practices in a positive light, presenting mobility assignments as a place of stimulus and differentiation. A conception…
Abstract
Purpose
Managerial discourses tend to portray work-related mobility practices in a positive light, presenting mobility assignments as a place of stimulus and differentiation. A conception of mobility as an opportunity, may contrast, in specific economies and business settings, with lived personal experiences. This article reports the results of a three-year study, aimed to question how multinational companies (MNCs) located in a small and developing European economy (Portugal) are building talent pools for expatriate assignments. Interaction effects, as proposed by the job demands-resources (JD-R) theory, are considered as lens to understand the interplay of company expatriate policies, willingness profiles and psychological contracts of expatriates. By using a Portuguese sample, the study examines whether prior findings in mature economies and consolidated MNCs can be generalized to less developed international business settings.
Design/methodology/approach
A three-year study, encompassing 24 expatriate cases observed in five multinational firms born or located in Portugal. Two techniques of empirical data collection were used: statistical sources and documental analysis and in-depth interviews. A total of 37 interviews were conducted, both in-person and remotely, of which 13 were with company managers and representatives, and 24 with expatriates (as defined and referred like this by the companies under study).
Findings
Heterogeneous company policies, ranging from juvenile, functionalist to more dynamic and flow-based approaches, are presented as qualifying resources of willingness levels and psychological contracts of expatriates. Observed interaction effects between policies, willingness and psychological contracts, empirically mirrored in three profiles (conformist, protean and disrupted expatriates) suggest that incentive effects (emanating from company policies) and job demand-resource balance, factored as terms of social and economic trade, are non-linear and asymmetric, influencing firm propensity to succeed while using international work to support company expansion goals. As job resources, expatriate policies are presented as operating as pull or push factors: functionalist HR approaches seem to act as push factors generating more conformist or compelled willingness profiles.
Research limitations/implications
Generalization of study's outcomes has limitations. Future studies are encouraged to use comparative and longitudinal research designs. Furthermore, future research should include business expatriates with entry-level positions, and increase the number of interviewees, as results can also be considered as limited by sample size.
Practical implications
It is suggested that further strategic work is needed to present expatriation development value, formally screen and consider willingness level as selection criteria, and enlarge the pool (from internal to external) of candidates, in peripheral economic settings such as Portugal. A shift to more dynamic and job resource-dense policies are suggested as beneficial, as pathway to optimize social and economic value from expatriation assignments and work experiences.
Originality/value
By putting the interplay between macro and micro-level processes into perspective, the study provides empirical evidence on how company expatriate policies have come to promote unforeseen differentiation of employee willingness and psychological contracts at the heart of MNCs. This is particularly relevant in developing economies such as Portugal, challenging the need to build talent pools for international work assignments. Empirical data illustrating company policies interactive effects with different willingness profiles and psychological contracts of expatriates is provided.
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