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Article
Publication date: 1 May 2006

Jorma Larimo, Marin Marinov and Svetla Marinova

This article aims to analyse the strategies of international brewing companies in the Central and Eastern European (CEE) beer market and the development of national beer markets…

4192

Abstract

Purpose

This article aims to analyse the strategies of international brewing companies in the Central and Eastern European (CEE) beer market and the development of national beer markets in the region since 1990.

Design/methodology/approach

The research is explorative, based on a broad variety of secondary data sources and company interviews.

Findings

The findings provide an insight into the approaches of foreign brewing companies operating in CEE markets. Despite some differences in the initial internationalisation motives, target market choice and market entry modes that reflected the strategic priorities of investing brewers, market‐seeking motives, strong brands, marketing intelligence, rapid aggressive internationalization and control over the operations have been the key success factors for Western brewers in CEE.

Research limitations/implications

The secondary nature of the research information is a limitation for the validity of the study. Nevertheless, the triangulation of data sources using various secondary data, supported by in‐company interviews and authors' insights, has aimed at minimising the research bias.

Practical implications

Considering the growth and consolidation in the brewing industry world‐wide, brewers in CEE should focus on further mergers and acquisitions, product diversification/upgrading and brand innovation.

Originality/value

This paper represents an original attempt to assess the trends in the development of the brewing industry in CEE post‐1990. It reflects the impact of international interest on the CEE brewing companies and raises some concerns associated with the preservation of the brewing heritage in the region.

Details

British Food Journal, vol. 108 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0007-070X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 October 2004

Rizwan Tahir and Jorma Larimo

This study, empirically investigates how the ownership‐specific variables, location‐specific variables and strategic motives have influenced the ownership structure choices of…

1823

Abstract

This study, empirically investigates how the ownership‐specific variables, location‐specific variables and strategic motives have influenced the ownership structure choices of Finnish manufacturing firms in ten South and south‐east Asian countries from 1980 to 2000. Very few studies in FDIs have been undertaken so far to empirically analyze the ownership‐specific and location‐specific variables together with the strategic motives in order to understand the ownership structure choices of the investing firms. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study trying to analyze how the ownership‐specific variables, location‐specific variables, and strategic motives have influenced the ownership structure choices of Finnish manufacturing FDIs in Asian countries. The research results indicate that large international experience, low cultural distance, large market size, and high levels of economic welfare in the target country increases the probability of choosing wholly owned subsidiary (WOS) in order to undertake market‐seeking and efficiency‐seeking FDIs. Similarly, it has also been found that low levels of risks in the target country increases the probability to choose WOS in order to undertake risk‐reduction seeking FDIs.

Details

European Business Review, vol. 16 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0955-534X

Keywords

Content available
Book part
Publication date: 31 October 2009

Abstract

Details

Research on Knowledge, Innovation and Internationalization
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-84855-956-1

Content available
Book part
Publication date: 23 November 2017

Abstract

Details

Distance in International Business: Concept, Cost and Value
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-78743-718-0

Article
Publication date: 1 July 2006

Rizwan Tahir and Jorma Larimo

To empirically investigate how the location‐specific variables and strategic motives influence the ownership strategies of Finnish manufacturing firms in ten South and Southeast…

2019

Abstract

Purpose

To empirically investigate how the location‐specific variables and strategic motives influence the ownership strategies of Finnish manufacturing firms in ten South and Southeast Asian countries from 1980 to 2000.

Design/methodology/approach

Because of the nature of the dependent and independent variables, the binomial logit model is used in the analysis. The regression coefficient estimates the impact of independent variables on the probability that the wholly owned subsidiary (WOS) is market, efficiency and/or a risk‐reduction seeking type of foreign direct investment (FDI). A positive sign for the coefficient means that the variable increases the probability of choosing WOS and undertaking a certain type of investment.

Findings

The research results indicate that the low cultural distance, large market size, and high levels of economic welfare in the target country increases the probability of choosing WOS in order to undertake market‐seeking and efficiency‐seeking FDIs. Similarly the low level of risks in the target country increases the probability to choose WOS in order to undertake risk‐reduction seeking FDIs.

Research limitations/implications

Due to the lack of information about the absolute and relative size of FDIs and competition related data could not be included in this study. Adding those variables would also be interesting for future research.

Practical implications

This study may also help the different governments to understand the strategic motives of different multinational firms and fine‐tune existing investment policies or criteria to better satisfy some of their motives.

Originality/value

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study trying to analyze how the location‐specific variables and strategic motives have influenced the ownership strategies of Finnish manufacturing FDIs in Asian countries.

Details

Cross Cultural Management: An International Journal, vol. 13 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1352-7606

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 6 July 2015

Salman Saleem, Jorma Antero Larimo, Kadi Ummik and Andres Kuusik

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether Hofstede’s (2001) cultural framework and the value paradox explain the use of appeals in advertising in Estonia.

1285

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether Hofstede’s (2001) cultural framework and the value paradox explain the use of appeals in advertising in Estonia.

Design/methodology/approach

Hypotheses are drawn in relation to Hofstede’s original four cultural dimensions – power distance, masculinity/femininity, individualism/collectivism and uncertainty avoidance. A sample of 110 print advertisements from four magazines were analyzed using Pollay’s (1983) classification of advertising appeals.

Findings

The results show that Estonian advertising reflects paradoxical values related to low power distance and femininity dimensions, and culturally congruent values related to high-uncertainty avoidance and individualism.

Practical implications

Findings suggest that cultural values (desired) alone are insufficient to predict the reflection of culture in advertising. Rather, consideration of the discrepancies between the cultural values (desired) and practices (desirable) enables a better explanation of the relationship between society and its advertising.

Originality/value

Scholars have shown increasing interest in the consequences of culture on advertising, but the opposing aspect of cultural values and practices has received limited research attention. The paper offers interesting insights regarding the effect of culture and the value paradox on the use of appeals in advertising. Additionally, analyzing the advertising of Eastern Europe is highly important because of the limited research attention that exists with respect to advertising in the region.

Details

Baltic Journal of Management, vol. 10 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1746-5265

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 27 November 2006

Jorma Larimo

Research related to firm export performance dates back to the early 1960s, ever since many studies have been conducted with mixed results. The three main goals of the present…

Abstract

Research related to firm export performance dates back to the early 1960s, ever since many studies have been conducted with mixed results. The three main goals of the present study were to analyze (1) the impact of the selected firm, management, and the export strategy-related variables on the export performance; (2) the possible variation in the results depending on the measure of export performance; and (3) the similarities and differences in the results depending on the type of SME – traditional exporters vs. born international companies. Based on a literature review, 14 hypotheses were developed to be tested. Consequently, the empirical part of the study is based on a survey conducted among Finnish SMEs in early 2002. The export performance was analyzed using six different types of performance measures. None of the 14 hypotheses were fully supported by all employed measures of performance. However, the export performance was positively impacted by firm size, product/service quality, international orientation, and market diversification along five measures. Additionally, the study indicated some similarities, but also some differences depending on the measure of export performance, type of the exporting SME, and the operationalizations used for the born international companies. Based on the results, management implications and proposals for future research are presented.

Details

International Marketing Research
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-0-76231-369-3

Book part
Publication date: 31 October 2009

Desirée Blankenburg Holm, Rian Drogendijk, Jukka Hohenthal, Ulf Holm, Martin Johanson and Ivo Zander

Purpose – We examine the fundamental assumptions and features of the Uppsala model of internationalization and argue that we need to look beyond this model for studying…

Abstract

Purpose – We examine the fundamental assumptions and features of the Uppsala model of internationalization and argue that we need to look beyond this model for studying internationalization processes in the multinational corporations (MNCs) of today. The purpose of our paper is to identify gaps and neglected issues regarding MNCs' internationalization processes that demand further theoretical and empirical study.

Methodology – Our approach is conceptual: based on the most cited model on internationalization, the Uppsala model, we approach the complex internationalization processes that continuously go on in modern MNCs. We use related bodies of literature, on MNC structure and strategy, headquarters–subsidiary relationships, MNC subsidiary strategy and development, and opportunity seeking and entrepreneurship, to fill in the gaps and develop the emerging research themes.

Findings – We identify the following three issues that need further investigation: the opportunity recognition process preceding internationalization processes in MNCs, the internationalization of multiple products within the confines of the growing MNC, and the internationalization of foreign MNC units.

Research limitations – In this paper, we open up new research fields, but do not offer empirical studies to inform us about these relevant issues. Future research should study these issues empirically, preferably through case study methodologies and/or with longitudinal designs.

Originality – The contribution of our paper is its identification of three research issues in relation to internationalization processes of modern MNCs, which we argue are neglected by contemporary research.

Details

Research on Knowledge, Innovation and Internationalization
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-84855-956-1

Book part
Publication date: 31 October 2009

Bernhard Swoboda, Martin Jager, Dirk Morschett and Hanna Schramm-Klein

Purpose – This article addresses the internationalization processes focusing on changes of firms' internal structures, systems, and culture over time. These changes are analyzed…

Abstract

Purpose – This article addresses the internationalization processes focusing on changes of firms' internal structures, systems, and culture over time. These changes are analyzed in relation to the firms' developments in the last 10 years along a country and/or mode dimension, comparing firms with county or mode increase, two-dimensional expansions, stagnation/reduction, as well as comparing incremental one step versus multistep developments in a holistic way.

Methodology/approach – Conceptually, the changes in country dimension and establishment chain form a primary level, and structure, systems, and culture a secondary level of the framework. Managers of family-owned firms, able to evaluate the past, were asked about these dimensions in terms of their situation today and 10 years ago.

Findings – This study shows that internationalization causes changes in internal systems in particular, followed by changes in internal structural and slowest by changes in leadership and firm's culture. Even if stagnations or reductions take place, they are related to changes in internal structure, systems, and culture.

Research limitations/implications – Limitations are related to the retrospective design based on managerial perceptions, the use of less proven scales, as well as the analyses of family-owned firms. This exploratory study suggests more empirical insights on dynamic internationalization processes.

Practical implications – The study provides insights for managers into structural, systemic, and cultural changes when future internationalization steps are planned.

Originality/value of the paper – This paper shows holistic evidence of changes in 20 partial dimensions of internal structures, systems, and culture within the internationalization process over time empirically.

Details

Research on Knowledge, Innovation and Internationalization
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-84855-956-1

Book part
Publication date: 31 October 2009

Shinichi Ishii and Jean-François Hennart

Purpose – We investigate whether the partnership behavior of Japanese partners in joint ventures (JVs) with European partners in Europe is better explained by the Trojan Horse…

Abstract

Purpose – We investigate whether the partnership behavior of Japanese partners in joint ventures (JVs) with European partners in Europe is better explained by the Trojan Horse Hypothesis (THH) than by the cooperative specialization (CS) view. THH assumes that Japanese firms establish JVs to steal the knowledge of their partners and dissolve JVs as soon as they have achieved their goals. The CS view, however, argues that Japanese firms set up JVs to achieve CS and that these JVs will be long-lived.

Methodology – We first derive implications of both the THH and the CS views for the longevity of JVs. We make a census of all two-partner Japanese–European JVs manufacturing in Europe in 1987 and record their evolution to 1996. We count how many of these JVs have evolved in ways that are predicted by the THH and the CS view. We argue that a particular view is supported if the number of JVs following the predicted path is larger than the number of those following alternative paths.

Findings – We find that the partnership behavior of Japanese firms is more consistent with a CS than with a THH view.

Limitations – This is a conservative test of THH behavior since JVs can dissolve for other reasons than the knowledge-stealing behavior of their Japanese partners.

Value of the Paper – This is, as far as we know, the only study that has investigated the evolution of the population of Japanese–European JVs in Europe and has derived implications for the validity of the THH and CS views of JVs.

Details

Research on Knowledge, Innovation and Internationalization
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-84855-956-1

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