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on Economics of Strategic Management |
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Issue of 2011‒08‒02
eight papers chosen by Joao Jose de Matos Ferreira University of the Beira Interior |
| By: | Nour, Samia (UNU-MERIT, Maastricht University, and Khartoum University) |
| Abstract: | In this paper we provide a new contribution and fill the gap in the Sudanese literature by investigating the importance (impact) of tacit and codified sources of knowledge at the micro and macro levels in Sudan using new primary data from the firm survey (2010) at the micro level and secondary data at the macro level respectively. Our results at the macro level are consistent with the notion that tacit knowledge and codified sources of knowledge are positively and significantly correlated and complementary with both schooling years and GDP growth (economic growth rate). Moreover, we find that at the macro level codified knowledge and the number of FTER show significant positive correlations with technology (patents). Furthermore, our results at the macro level show significant positive complementary relationships between codified knowledge and the number of FTER, which we interpret as a complementary relationship between tacit knowledge and codified knowledge. Moreover, at the micro (firm) level, we illustrate the importance of tacit knowledge, and we illustrate that tacit knowledge is positively and significantly correlated with technology (expenditures on ICT) and upskilling (expenditures on training), output (defined by total sales value), output diversification, productivity and profit. In addition, we find that at the micro (firm) level, tacit and codified knowledge show positive significant correlations with total capital, and firm size. We explain positive correlations between knowledge and various variables at the micro and macro levels. Therefore, further incentives should be provided to improve tacit and codified sources of knowledge at the macro and micro levels. Our results are consistent with the findings in the knowledge literature, another implication is that since tacit knowledge is often embodied in educated people and so in human capital, the positive impact of tacit knowledge also implies the importance of a good education at the micro and macro levels. |
| Keywords: | Tacit knowledge, codified knowledge, economic growth, Sudan |
| JEL: | O10 O11 O12 O30 |
| Date: | 2011 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:dgr:unumer:2011034&r=cse |
| By: | Nour, Samia (UNU-MERIT, Maastricht University, and Khartoum University) |
| Abstract: | In this paper we examine skill and technology indicators at the macro and micro levels in Sudan. Different from the Sudanese literature, a novel element in our analysis is that we use new primary data from the macro and firm surveys and we provide a new contribution and fill the gap in the Sudanese literature by examining five hypotheses on the causes and consequences of low skill and technology indicators at the macro and micro levels in Sudan. We verify our first hypothesis that the interaction between the deficient educational system -caused by low quality of education- and the high share of unskilled workers leads to poor provision of training; low skill levels; skills mismatch; low transfer of knowledge/external schooling effect; weak technology indicators and dependence on foreign technologies at the micro level. We confirm our second hypothesis that the poor local technology indicators/indigenous capability to build the local technology and heavy dependence on foreign technology can be attributed to lack of R&D activities/efforts, due to a lack of funding, low skill levels, weak linkages, lack of networks systems and collaboration between universities and industry/firms, low transfer of knowledge and a lack of entrepreneur perspective. We support our third hypothesis that the transfer of knowledge/external schooling effects is successful at the micro level but unsuccessful at the macro level due to low educational qualifications and deficient educational and training systems. We confirm our fourth hypothesis that skill and technology indicators are significantly determined by firm size and industry. We support our fifth hypothesis concerning the consistency of upskilling plans at the macro-micro levels. Finally, one advantage and interesting element in our analysis is that we provide a new contribution to the Sudanese literature, since we explain the causes, consequences and interaction between the low skill and technology indicators and the transfer of knowledge. We recommend further efforts to be made to improve skill and technology indicators and transfer of knowledge at the macro and micro levels which are all essential for economic growth and development in Sudan. |
| Keywords: | Skill, technology, firm size, industry, Sudan |
| JEL: | J24 L25 O12 O15 O30 |
| Date: | 2011 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:dgr:unumer:2011031&r=cse |
| By: | Yukichi Mano (National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies); Alhassan Iddrisu (The Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, Ghana); Yutaka Yoshino (The World Bank); Tetsushi Sonobe (National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies) |
| Abstract: | The vast majority of micro and small enterprises (MSEs) in developing countries are located in industrial clusters, and the majority of such clusters have yet to see their growth take off. The performance of MSE clusters is especially low in Sub-Saharan Africa. While existing studies often attribute the poor performance to factors outside firms, problems within firms are seldom scrutinized. In fact, entrepreneurs in these clusters are unfamiliar with standard business practices. Based on a randomized experiment in Ghana, this study demonstrates that basic-level management training improves business practices and performance. |
| Keywords: | Africa, Ghana, industrial development, survival clusters, management training, randomized experiment |
| Date: | 2011–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ngi:dpaper:11-06&r=cse |
| By: | Agné Paliokaité (ISM, University of Management and Economics, Vilnius, Lithuania) |
| Abstract: | Purpose. In this paper, I argue that corporate foresight can play the important role not only for large multinational companies, but also for small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). Rohrbeck et al (2010) proposed that effective corporate foresight can be organized without a process model but with certain capabilities and activities. In this paper it is hypothesized that the latter approach could be suitable for SMEs. Furthermore, it is hypothesized that organizational future orientation of an SME can be also enhanced by engaging in networks with other stakeholders. Therefore, the paper aims to explore the different routes to enhance corporate foresight capabilities in SMEs. The fundamental research question addressed in this paper is: what are the key corporate foresight capabilities and how can these capabilities be built in small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) to enhance strategic thinking and future orientation in these companies? More specific objectives are: (1) To establish what the key capabilities within the corporate foresight practices are; (2) To establish what kind of value contributions can be expected from corporate foresight; (3) Based on research results, to propose a benchmarking framework of CF capabilities with a distinction between different routes SMEs can take for achieving higher value associated with CF. (4)To propose how the variables in the networking route could be measured. The analysis in this paper is comprised of three main parts. The first part is to formally establish the need for corporate foresight capabilities in the Lithuanian high technology SMEs. The second part, which is the crux of this paper, is to propose the benchmarking framework for corporate foresight in SMEs, following three different routes: structural approach, cultural approach, networking approach. The third part provides conclusions and discussion. |
| Keywords: | Corporate foresight, networking, SMEs, weak signals, weak tie networks, strong tie networks, Lithuania |
| JEL: | D81 D85 L14 M10 O52 |
| Date: | 2010–10 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ieu:wpaper:31&r=cse |
| By: | Haller, Stefanie |
| Abstract: | This paper examines whether local firms benefit from the presence of foreign-owned firms in three Irish market-services sectors between 2001 and 2007. I investigate whether domestic firms differ in their ability to benefit from foreign presence using three different measures of absorptive capacity and also whether the foreign subsidiaries differ in their ability to generate spillovers. To account for the difficulty of productivity measurement in services, turnover-based, value-added-based and input-based productivity measures are employed. I find weak evidence of positive spillovers to domestic non-importers in the transport, storage and communication sector. In wholesale and retail trade, foreign presence is associated with lower capital-labour ratios and higher part-time-to-full-time employee ratios among domestic firms. In contrast, import competition is associated with higher productivity of the domestic firms in the transport, storage and communication and the business activities sector. |
| Keywords: | competition/Absorptive capacity/Productivity/transport |
| Date: | 2011–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:esr:wpaper:wp395&r=cse |
| By: | Nour, Samia (UNU-MERIT, Maastricht University, and Khartoum University) |
| Abstract: | This paper examines the industrial performance indicators and the relationships between skill indicators; between skill, upskilling, technology and input-output indicators in Sudan. Our findings are consistent with the stylized facts in the new growth literature, concerning the correlation between skill indicators: education, experience and wages and also concerning the positive complementary relationships between technology, skill and upskilling. Different from the Sudanese literature, a novel element in our analysis is that we use a new primary data from the firm survey (2010) and we provide a new contribution and fill the gap in the Sudanese literature by examining the industrial performance indicators defined by three different sets of economic and productivity indicators, activity indicators and profitability indicators in Sudan. One advantage and interesting element in our analysis in this paper is that we confirm three hypotheses on the relationships between skill indicators; between skill, upskilling, technology and input-output indicators and industrial performance indicators using new primary data from the firm survey (2010) in Sudan. We verify our first hypothesis that irrespective of the observed differences across the industrial firms, the low skill levels - due to high share of unskilled workers - lead to skills mismatch and most probably contribute to decline of labour productivity and industrial performance indicators. We confirm our second hypothesis that an increase in skill levels and firm size lead to improved relationships between actual and required education and experience; between actual education, experience and wages; and between skill, upskilling and technology (ICT) and also improved industrial performance indicators. We also support our third hypothesis concerning the inconclusive relationships between new technology (the use of ICT) and input-output indicators at the micro/firm level. Finally, we provide a new contribution to the Sudanese literature, since we explain that the performance of the industrial firms is most probably immensely undermined by the shortage of skilled workers and also by the lack of entrepreneur perspective. We recommend further efforts to be made to improve adequate availability of skilled workers and commitment to entrepreneur perspective for improvement of labour productivity, industrial performance and therefore, economic growth and development in Sudan. |
| Keywords: | Industrial performance, skill, technology, input-output, firm size, industry, Sudan |
| JEL: | J24 L10 L20 L25 L60 O12 O15 O30 |
| Date: | 2011 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:dgr:unumer:2011030&r=cse |
| By: | Lopes, Margarida |
| Abstract: | Abstract Labor market regulation and its relations with education and training have been performing an historical trajectory which closely intertwined with developments in economic thought. Under the form of human capital theories, neo-classical economics set the bridge between labor market equilibrium and education outputs for decades. The functionalist approach behind that lasting relationship was to be challenged by economic crises and globalization, which imposed the unquestionable supremacy of the demand for skilled work. Likewise, even if only that more strict perspective of education would prevail, which fortunately is not the case, time and hazard came to undertake its denigration on the grounds of a severe loss of regulatory efficiency as globalization was setting up. In this paper we shed light on the increasing role which innovation is called to perform in labor market hetero regulation in the present phase of globalization. Depending on the institutional design throughout which R&D become embedded in nowadays societies, evidence clearly reveals how innovation strategies are to be found so asymmetrically implemented between developed and developing countries, thereby leading to the enlarging divide between the “new North” and “new South” globalization off springs. |
| Keywords: | Key Words: labor market regulation; education and training; innovation; knowledge. |
| JEL: | J08 D84 A23 I21 |
| Date: | 2011–05–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:32412&r=cse |
| By: | Friebel, Guido; Ivaldi, Marc; Pouyet, Jérôme |
| Abstract: | This paper investigates various options for the organization of the railway industry when network operators require the access to multiple national networks to provide international (freight or passenger) transport services. The EU rail system provides a framework for our analysis. Returns-to-scale and the intensity of competition are key to understanding the impact of vertical integration or separation between infrastructure and operation services within each country in the presence of international transport services. We also consider an option in which a transnational infrastructure manager is in charge of offering a coordinated access to the national networks. In our model, it turns out to be an optimal industry structure. |
| Keywords: | Network access; Transport economics; Vertical Separation |
| JEL: | L14 L42 L51 L92 |
| Date: | 2011–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cpr:ceprdp:8491&r=cse |