Abstract: In analyzing the panel data of Japanese electronics enterprises from the early 1990s to 2002, our research clarifies the moderating influences of export activities and product diversity on the relationships between international investment and financial performance. The exploration of the interactions between those strategic directions led us to the conclusion that the expected inverted U-curve performance impact of international investment actually changes, depending upon the extent of both a firm’s export commitment and product diversity. The examination of the interactive effects of three predictors brought about a comprehensive picture of the combined effects of diversification strategies on financial performance. Especially intriguing is the case of diversified companies with accumulated capabilities that enable them to stabilize profitability in their integration of international investment and export activities.

Abstract: The purpose of this study is to examine an underrepresented area in the international strategy literature: multinational enterprises’ (MNEs) portfolios of foreign cross-listings and their effects on firm performance. Most international diversification research has focused on the international scope of MNEs’ productive assets. We develop a theoretical framework, which analyzes the interaction between multiplicity (the number of foreign stock exchanges) and diversity (the modified Berry-Herfindahl ratio of countries’ institutional environments) of MNEs’ foreign cross-listings. Furthermore, we examine a central research question that links the interaction effect of multiplicity and diversity on MNEs’ performance (ROA). Preliminary results from a sample of 102 French MNEs suggests that firms that maintain portfolios of too diverse cross-listing environments exhibit inferior performance to those that are focused on more similar cross-listing environments, as the number of foreign cross-listings increases.

Abstract: The core of resource-based theory views strategy as a “continuing search for rent”. Rents can be broadly grouped into Schumpeterian rents and Ricardo rents. However, there are still some unexplored questions: (1) What the creation and extracting mechanism behind Schumpeterian rents? (2) Can Ricardian rents transfer to Schumpeterian rents? (3) Can Schumpeterian rents trigger Ricardian rents? In the context of globalization, we try to indentify the dynamics of strategic choices of international and product diversification under the globalization. We interpret Chinese firms’ international diversification process as endeavors to extract Schumpeterian rents, and their product diversification process as efforts to exploiting Ricardian rents. Empirical data of Chinese listed firms from 2001 to 2006 supports our main arguments: (1) international diversification and firm performance have two-way causation relationship, but product diversification and firm performance do not; (2) international diversification and product diversification can be substituted and complemented each other.

Abstract: Our paper focuses on how global automobile manufacturers benefit from the implementation of strategic modularization. A theoretical framework is developed and tested examining the process of how strategic modularization impact firm’s performance in the context of the Brazilian automobile industry. Data was collect over a 5 year period in three stages. Preliminary data analysis suggest that strategic modularization may help improve a firm’s positional advantage through the development of capabilities such as technology transfer, entrepreneurial strategic intent, and face-to-face communication. In addition, the adoption of strategic modularization seems to influences the nature of relationships with major suppliers, further blurring the boundaries of the firm.