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Publication Being good at being good—The mediating role of an environmental management system in value-creating green supply chain management practices(2022) Jell-Ojobor, Maria; Raha, AveedThis study adopts a resource-based view to explain the complementary role of the corporate structure in the value creation of green supply chain management (GSCM) practices. Using 8-year panel data collected from 317 US international manufacturers, we analyze the influence of GSCM practices on corporate financial performance (CFP) and the mediating role of a certified environmental management system (EMS) in this relationship. We show that GSCM practices have a positive impact on accounting-based financial performance, meaning, return on assets (ROA) and return on equity (ROE). In contrast, firms that implement GSCM practices and a certified EMS simultaneously achieve a higher market valuation in terms of Tobin's Q in addition to a higher ROA and ROE in the following year. Our study demonstrates that, through their synergistic combination with a firm's complementary EMS, utilizing GSCM practices can result in intangible assets as sources of long-term financial benefits. Our results have several theoretical and managerial implications. They also address the limitations of the prior use of varying survey-based items for internal and external GSCM practices and add nuance to the existing GSCM practices in the literature.Publication Determinants of the Governance Structure of the International Franchise Firm: A Case Study Analysis in the Automotive Rental Industry(2017) Jell-Ojobor, Maria; Windsperger, JosefPurpose The governance structure of international franchise firms varies from higher control modes, such as wholly owned subsidiaries and joint venture franchising, to lower control modes, such as area development and master franchising. Based on organizational economics, strategic management, and international business perspectives, the purpose of this paper is to use the case study analysis to empirically evaluate an integrative model on the franchisor’s choice of international governance modes. Design/methodology/approach The study applies qualitative methods, such as in-depth case analysis, to investigate a large set of variables that influence the governance structure decision of the international franchise firm. Specifically, it applies a theory-testing case study with two major competitors in the European automotive rental industry, i.e. Europcar and Sixt. Theory-testing case research is justified by the lack of explanatory research due to the complexity of the franchisor-franchisee relationship phenomena, such as the factors that influence the franchisor’s choice of international governance modes. The investigation of the complex governance structure phenomenon requires a holistic analysis. Findings The case study shows that environmental, behavioral, transaction-specific, resource-based (system-specific, market-specific, financial resources), and international strategy considerations are important determinants of the governance mode decision of the international franchise firm. Research limitations/implications The study responds to the recent call in organizational economics, marketing, strategic management, and international business literature to develop and test a multi-theoretical framework to explain the governance structure of inter-organizational networks, such as franchise networks. Originality/value Few previous studies in international franchising have used more than one theoretical perspective to explain the governance structure of the international franchise firm. This study contributes to the theory-testing case study literature by applying a rigorous method of conducting case research. This includes developing a theoretical framework and a systematic research design. A systematic research design requires a holistic analysis by investigating the international franchise governance modes from a variety of theoretical perspectives which are the organizational economics, strategic management, and the strategy-structure perspective.Publication Market Entry Through Multilateral Networks in Developing Countries: The Case of Public–Private Development Partnership in Zambia(2023) Brockmann-Hosseini, Navid; Jell-Ojobor, Maria; Windsperger, JosefGlobalization and increased market saturation in most developed countries have prompted private sector firms to expand into international markets that offer growth potential. Thus, increasingly, private firms channel foreign direct investments into such markets, which are located in untapped developing countries. At the same time, the local economies in developing countries often lack technology, education, or access to international trade. Furthermore, foreign multinational companies need market-relevant knowledge and skills. Therefore, the format of public–private development partnerships (PPDPs) seems to combine the needs of the private and public sectors. Such partnerships also try to improve the economic prospects and livelihoods of people in developing countries. We explore the case of the Volvo Group forming a PPDP in Zambia to improve our understanding of how MNCs enter the market in developing countries using this format. Based on transaction cost theory, institutional theory, and resource-based theory, we find that PPDPs help reduce transaction costs, mitigate institutional risks, and create unique resources for multinational companies entering less developed countries. Ultimately, our results contribute to the understanding of value creation for PPDP’s stakeholders from developed and developing countries.Publication Strategic CSR and the Competitive Advantage of Franchise Firms(2019) Jell-Ojobor, MariaAlthough corporate social responsibility (CSR) is a widely researched topic, there is a lack of its application in the franchise literature. The integration of CSR into the franchise business model is vital as it affects the franchise firm’s growth and survival. Based on resource-based and organizational capabilities theories, our study explains how CSR strategy impacts the creation of intangible brand name assets as critical source of sustainable competitive advantage and, hence, increased financial performance. We adopt a multi-stakeholder-oriented CSR construct of economic, legal, ethical, and philanthropic responsibility dimensions. Using data from Austrian franchise firms, our results show that those CSR dimensions have a positive impact on brand name asset creation. Specifically, philanthropic responsibility strategy has the greatest impact on brand name assets, followed by legal, ethical, and economic responsibility strategies. Overall, this is the first study in franchising which explains the strategic role of CSR.Publication Inclusive value creation in the coffee industry. A framework of blockchain-enabled dynamic capabilities for sustainable international supply chain transformation(2022) Jell-Ojobor, Maria; Kramer, Michael PaulThe components that characterize sustainable business models in the coffee industry – such as fair prices, conducive working conditions, sustainable production, and ecological protection – pose challenges for international coffee manufacturers in maintaining their financial performance. Therefore, sustainable business models must be more competitive than traditional ones. While sustainability strategies are to a large extent public – meaning, they can be imitated by others – when combined with complementary assets, they can yield additional assets, resources, and capabilities, ensuring these firms a long-term competitive advantage. Based on the dynamic capabilities of resource-based theory, our study explains how the use of blockchain technology reinforces critical dynamic capabilities to differentiate the brand as a source of intangible assets and inclusive value creation in sustainable international coffee supply chains. Overall, our study helps balance the distribution of value among the coffee supply chain partners located in industrialized and developing countries.Publication The Choice of Governance Modes of International Franchise Firms — Development of an Integrative Model(2014) Jell-Ojobor, Maria; Windsperger, JosefThis paper examines the evolution of the international franchise research with special focus on the governance modes of the international franchise firm and develops a new model for the franchisor's choice of the international governance modes. International governance modes in franchising refer to wholly-owned subsidiaries, joint venture franchising, area development franchising and master franchising. Although many studies on the governance modes of the international franchise firm have been published in the last two decades, no prior study develops an integrative framework that investigates the determinants of the international governance modes by combining organizational economics and strategic management perspectives. Specifically, this study explains the governance modes of the international franchise firm by applying transaction cost theory, agency theory, resource-based and organizational capabilities theory and property rights theory.Publication The choice of master international franchising – A modified transaction cost model(2022) Jell-Ojobor, Maria; Alon, Ilan; Windsperger, JosefThis study develops and tests a novel transaction cost model of master international franchising. Based on data from international franchise firms headquartered in six countries, we show that master international franchising is the franchisor’s preferred governance mode under the following conditions: large bilateral franchisor’s and franchisees’ transaction-specific investments, high institutional uncertainty and high behavioral uncertainty. Our model extends the literature by presenting a modified transaction cost model of master international franchising that investigates the bonding effect of bilateral transaction-specific investments and environmental uncertainty as determinants of the franchisor’s choice of international governance mode. In addition, by using primary data from international franchise companies, our study contributes to the transaction cost literature in international business and international franchising that is mainly based on secondary data.Publication Knowledge Attributes and Internationalization of E-service Firms: Literature Review and Conceptual Model(2023) Vayle, Alexandra; Jell-Ojobor, MariaWhile previous international business studies have addressed e-commerce in the form of online retail shopping, there is a lack of research on how e-service firms enter international markets. Our study attempts to address this gap by systematically analyzing the relevant literature and developing a conceptual model that explains the internationalization of e-service firms. Specifically, we explore how their specific knowledge attributes affect the internationalization process and the choice of entry mode of e-service firms. Our conceptual framework distinguishes hard and soft service components of e-service firms by two types of knowledge characteristics—codifiable firm know-how and non-codifiable (intangible) firm know-how. We develop three propositions on the entry mode choice of e-service firms—low-control modes, network modes, and high-control modes.Publication Governance of international franchise networks: Combining value creation and value appropriation perspectives(2022) Jell-Ojobor, Maria; Hajdini, Ilir; Windsperger, JosefThis study develops a new perspective on the franchisor’s choice of international governance modes as a value creation and value appropriation mechanism. Value creation refers to knowledge creation from the joint use of the franchisor’s intangible system-specific knowhow and foreign partners’ intangible local market knowhow; value appropriation refers to efficient knowledge exploitation based on transaction cost savings under conditions of uncertainty and transaction-specific investments. Based on primary data from 162 international franchise systems headquartered in eight countries, the results highlight the importance of intangible knowledge-based resources (franchisor’s system-specific knowhow and franchise partners’ local market knowhow) and transaction cost factors (transaction-specific investments, environmental uncertainty, and cultural uncertainty) for the franchisor’s choice between equity modes, such as wholly-owned subsidiaries, and joint venture franchising, and non-equity modes, such as single-unit franchising, area development franchising, and master franchising.Publication Governance, strategy and management of international business networks in uncertain times: an introduction(2024) Yaqub, Muhammad Zafar; Raha, Aveed; Jell-Ojobor, Maria; Windsperger, JosefIn today's turbulent and complex environments, international business networks (IBNs) in various forms (e.g., strategic alliances, franchise chains, export and licence relationships, cooperatives, global production networks, joint ventures, public-private partnerships, and digital platforms) are becoming increasingly important in helping multinationals to achieve competitive advantage. Owing to increased performance pressures in uncertain environments, firms embedded in networks are increasingly moving from cooperators to collaborators as value co-creators. The aim of this introductory article is to discuss how IBNs may mitigate uncertainty (emanating especially from disruptive digital innovations and global pandemics) through value, configuration and/or knowledge-driven governance, strategy, and management. In addition, we provide an overview of the articles included in the special issue on 'Governance, Strategy and Management of International Business Networks in Uncertain Times' detailing their specific contributions to enrich the contemporary scholarly discourse in this regard.Publication Blockchain Technology and Governance of Franchise Networks(2024) Jell-Ojobor, Maria; Russwurm, Roland; Windsperger, JosefThis study explores the implications of the introduction of blockchain technology for the governance of franchise networks. In light of the limited prior research on this topic, the study employs a twofold approach. It begins by identifying the central themes present in current research at the intersection of franchising and blockchain technology. Next, it examines existing instances of implementations of blockchain technology and connects them to corresponding value chain operations in the franchising context. The study takes a comprehensive approach, combining bibliometric analysis with a semisystematic literature review, to offer insights into blockchain technology's potential future impact on the franchise industry. Specifically, it shows that franchise network governance can benefit significantly from attributes of blockchain such as transparency, efficiency, and trust as well as from its various applications such as smart contracts and decentralized autonomous organizations.Publication From catalyst to burden: shopping malls and franchising in Brazil(2024) Grünhagen, Marko; Jell-Ojobor, Maria; Hess, Julia E.; Da Silva Filho, Haroldo MonteiroPurpose This research links the global advance of the franchise model to the geohistorical foray of shopping malls through an empirical longitudinal study in the largest emerging market in Latin America, Brazil. Design/methodology/approach We conducted an analysis of a multi-year set of qualitative interviews with the same franchised mall tenants (23 interviews in 2017 and 12 follow-up interviews in 2022) via an iterative procedure of transcript data coding and theme identification. Findings Shopping malls were key catalysts in the pre-pandemic growth of franchising in Brazil, yet during the pandemic, malls became liabilities. Attitudes towards malls as franchise hosts changed, flipping the mall perception from catalytic host to burdensome trap. Mall management companies, as key gatekeepers, deserve more research attention. Originality/value Our study reveals the detrimental role shopping malls, with their static rules and high cost structures, have played as franchise businesses struggled to survive during the global pandemic. While franchising represents one of the most influential retail business models today, shopping malls have been among the most important brick-and-mortar retail institutions since the 1950s. Jointly, they constitute a unique retail symbiosis with little attention in the academic literature.Publication Triggering Change: An SDG2 Challenge Competition Hosted by John Cabot American University in Rome(Emerald Publishing, 2024) Favorite, Michèle; Carnini Pulino, SilviaPublication Motivations for ESG Investment Among Leaders in the MICE Industry(2024) Hieker, Carola; Gannon, Greg; Philips, Emily Nan; Majmudar, SohilThe Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) industry faces mounting pressure to address environmental, social, and governance (ESG) concerns over its environmental impact. This research investigates the driving forces behind ESG investment decisions among MICE industry leaders. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the study begins with an exploratory expert interview, followed by targeted questions for focus groups involving senior industry figures. Insights from the focus group discussions inform the development of a comprehensive questionnaire, capturing key motivators identified by participants. The survey was subsequently distributed to a broader cohort of MICE industry leaders, resulting in responses from 76 individuals.The findings highlight that leadership responsibility and the desire to inspire others are pivotal motivators for ESG investment, transcending company size and revenue. Simultaneously, external pressures—such as talent attraction and reputation enhancement—also play a significant role. However, the presence of opaque and localized regulations poses a formidable obstacle, hindering genuine commitment from all MICE industry leaders. This research contributes unique insights to this industry, and further investigation is warranted to understand motivators for ESG investment not only in the MICE industry but also in comparable growing sectors.Publication Shattering the Glass Ceiling: Female Leadership and Acquisitiveness in Family and Nonfamily Firms(Elsevier, 2024) Magnanelli, Barbara Sveva; Pirolo, Luca; Raoli, ElisaThis research investigates the impact of female CEOs on mergers and acquisitions (M&As) in family and nonfamily firms. With a sample of 165 Italian listed companies engaged in M&As from 2011 to 2016, the study explores whether CEO gender impacts on firm's acquisitiveness in family and nonfamily firms. Findings indicate that having a female CEO is associated with lower acquisitiveness overall. However, this trend is not consistently observed in family firms, challenging conventional assumptions. This research contributes to understanding the nuanced dynamics of female leadership and M&As, shedding light on the role of CEO gender in distinct ownership contexts.Publication Clud Deal : definizione, storia ed evoluzione(McGrawHill, 2024) Maiolini, RiccardoPublication Crowdfunding for sustainability: How environmental activism moderates support for B2B and B2C campaigns(Elsevier, 2024) Maiolini, Riccardo; Nasta, LuigiThis study explores the influence of customer investors' perceptions on their willingness to invest in sustainable crowdfunding campaigns. Specifically, it examines whether emphasizing a product's direct impact on consumers (B2C) or its broader industrial impact (B2B) affects investment decisions. Using a between-subjects experiment with 304 participants, the research investigates how environmental sustainability activism moderates investment behavior. The study found that higher levels of environmental activism decrease support for B2C campaigns compared to B2B campaigns. These results suggest that sustainability-focused backers prefer projects due to perceived greater systemic impact.Publication Opportunity Recognition and Innovative Solutions to Societal Challenges: The Case of Community Cooperatives in Italy(Springer Nature, 2024) Maiolini, Riccardo; Ramus, TommasoIn this chapter, we present some preliminary, exploratory evidence concerning the peculiarities surrounding the recognition of entrepreneurial opportunities as encountered by community cooperatives, that is, entities established with the mission to create value for the community in which they operate and not for their members exclusively. Drawing from the experience of eight Italian community cooperatives, we offer initial empirical support to the argument that community embeddedness complicates the process of entrepreneurial opportunity recognition. Community cooperatives confront the challenge of accommodating the disparate needs of community members, while operating within a context of resource constraints. However, community embeddedness also favors the engagement of community members in more creative processes to identify more innovative solutions to empower communities. Our preliminary findings speak to the emergent research on community-based enterprises and to the broader stream investigating entrepreneurship. They also show how cooperatives can be a source of social innovation while anchoring themselves to their imprinting of human-centered organizations, established to ameliorate the conditions of marginalized people.Publication Organized Crime: Perspectives on Societal Challenges, Threats, and Crises(2024) Bhatt, Himanshu; Chae, Heewon; Maiolini, Riccardo; Omizzolo, MArco; Capo, Francesca; Operti, Elisa; Audia, Pino G.; Dagnino, Giovanni BattistaOrganized crime groups (OCGs) are important business and institutional actors in several locations around the world. In this symposium, we explore how the presence and activities of OCGs influence emerging societal challenges, threats, and crises. Our investigations use OCGs as a metaphor for pursuit of extreme profit motive and instrumental practices that contribute towards perpetuating social inequalities and exploitation. By digging deeper into the workings of organized crime groups, we develop theoretical and practical implications for what constitutes firms’ ethical and socially responsible behavior.Publication The impact of sustainable development goals in lending-based prosocial crowdfunding: A topic modeling analysis on the kiva platform(Elsevier, 2024) Maiolini, Riccardo; Cappa, Francesco; Franco, Stefano; Quaratino, Giovanni RaimondoIn lending-based prosocial crowdfunding, where campaigns are specifically focused on entrepreneurial proposals that address significant social and environmental challenges, it is still not clear what factors are more likely to favor a campaign's success. The literature recognizes that project descriptions constitute a major source of information for funders and can influence their choice of whether to lend financial resources. Given the nature of lending-based prosocial crowdfunding, we focus on the presence of different sustainable development goal (SDG) themes in project descriptions, identified through topic modeling analysis, and we measure their impact on the success of a campaign. Using data collected from the Kiva platform, we show that some SDG themes have a negative effect, while others have a positive impact on the success of a campaign. The outcomes of this research contribute to overall scientific understanding of the phenomenon and provide useful insights for entrepreneurs and policymakers to increase the success of their campaigns and further spread lending-based prosocial crowdfunding.