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Purpose
Although start-ups have gained increasing scholarly attention, we lack sufficient understanding of their entrepreneurial strategic posture (ESP) in emerging economies. The purpose of this study is to examine the processes of ESP of new technology venture start-ups (NTVs) in an emerging market context.
Design/methodology/approach
In line with grounded theory guidelines and the inductive research traditions, the authors adopted a qualitative approach involving 42 in-depth semi-structured interviews with Ghanaian NTV entrepreneurs to gain a comprehensive analysis at the micro-level on the entrepreneurs' strategic posturing. A systematic procedure for data analysis was adopted.
Findings
From the authors' analysis of Ghanaian NTVs, the authors derived a three-stage model to elucidate the nature and process of ESP Phase 1 spotting and exploiting market opportunities, Phase II identifying initial advantages and Phase III ascertaining and responding to change.
Originality/value
The study contributes to advancing research on ESP by explicating the process through which informal ties and networks are utilised by NTVs and NTVs' founders to overcome extreme resource constraints and information vacuums in contexts of institutional voids. The authors depart from past studies in demonstrating how such ties can be harnessed in spotting and exploiting market opportunities by NTVs. On this basis, the paper makes original contributions to ESP theory and practice.
In der genossenschaftlichen FinanzGruppe werden neben Verbundunternehmen wie zum Beispiel der DZ Bank rund 45 bis 50 Genossenschaftsbanken von der künftigen Berichtspflicht nach der sogenannten CSR-Richtlinie betroffen sein. Dieser Artikel gibt Hinweise zu Auswirkungen der neuen Gesetzeslage, aber auch zu Chancen und Potenzialen. Diskutiert wird insbesondere, was das neue Gesetz bzw. der Regierungsentwurf von 2016 besagt, und was die Vorgaben konkret für Genossenschaftsbanken bedeuten. Der Beitrag diskutiert zudem Synergien, Chancen und Potenziale: Das Thema Nachhaltigkeit kann wertvolle Impulse für eine zielgerichtete Weiterentwicklung des eigenen Geschäftsmodells bieten, beispielsweise wie neue Kundengruppen und/oder neue Ertragspotenziale mit Hilfe von neuen Produkten beziehungsweise Geschäftsfeldern erschlossen werden können.
Economic growth is usually driven by improvements in productivity, economic efficiency, trade and innovation. Increasing efficiency means to produce larger output using the same amount of factors for production such as raw materials, labour, and capital. However, regardless of the driver, growth is often investment-hungry and it is not rare to find an economy with potential for growth but lacking locally available investment. In this scenario, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) can fill the gap between investment needed to promote economic growth and locally available investments.
As the world economy rapidly decarbonises to meet global climate goals, the export credit sector must keep pace. Countries representing over two-thirds of global GDP have now set net zero targets, as have hundreds of private financial institutions. Public and private initiatives are now working to develop new standards and methodologies for shifting investment portfolios to decarbonisation pathways based on science.
However, export credit agencies (ECAs) are only at the beginning stages of this seismic transformation. On the one hand, the net zero transition creates risks to existing business models and clients for the many ECAs, while on the other, it creates a significant opportunity for ECAs to refocus their support to help countries and trade partners meet their climate targets. ECAs can best take advantage of this transition, and minimise its risks, by setting net zero targets and adopting credible plans to decarbonise their portfolios. Collaboration across the sector can be a powerful tool for advancing this goal.
Provides a state-of-the-art overview of international trade policy research
The Handbook of Global Trade Policy offers readers a comprehensive resource for the study of international trade policy, governance, and financing. This timely and authoritative work presents contributions from a team of prominent experts that assess the policy implications of recent academic research on the subject. Discussions of contemporary research in fields such as economics, international business, international relations, law, and global politics help readers develop an expansive, interdisciplinary knowledge of 21st century foreign trade.
Accessible for students, yet relevant for practitioners and researchers, this book expertly guides readers through essential literature in the field while highlighting new connections between social science research and global policy-making. Authoritative chapters address new realities of the global trade environment, global governance and international institutions, multilateral trade agreements, regional trade in developing countries, value chains in the Pacific Rim, and more. Designed to provide a well-rounded survey of the subject, this book covers financing trade such as export credit arrangements in developing economies, export insurance markets, climate finance, and recent initiatives of the World Trade Organization (WTO). This state-of-the-art overview:
• Integrates new data and up-to-date research in the field
• Offers an interdisciplinary approach to examining global trade policy
• Introduces fundamental concepts of global trade in an understandable style
• Combines contemporary economic, legal, financial, and policy topics
• Presents a wide range of perspectives on current issues surrounding trade practices and policies
The Handbook of Global Trade Policy is a valuable resource for students, professionals, academics, researchers, and policy-makers in all areas of international trade, economics, business, and finance.
Open markets, international trade and foreign direct investments are a source of prosperity in challenging times. This Special Section looks at developed economies and emerging markets, also taking into account the role of trade for impactful capacity-building in least developed countries (LDCs). Specific emphasis is placed on financing economic development and trade, analysing what roles trade and development finance should play in the quest for an efficient mobilisation of private capital for growth, trade and development.
Comparing anomalies and exceptions to multilateral dysfunction across a number of spheres of world politics, the book chapter explores pathways through and beyond gridlock in trade. It provides a vital new perspective on world politics as well as a practical guide for positive change in global policy.
Innovative financing schemes in public management comprise provisions of funds for public expenditure by taxation, user charges, borrowing or other fundraising in a novel way. Scholarly research regarding public finance already appeared in the 16th century, but the role of public funding schemes became much more important in the last decades. Theoretical frameworks are related to political, economic, legal and administrative aspects. Although innovation and public management might be seen as antithetical, there is an emerging practice of innovative financing tools both in highly-industrialised economies and developing countries. Examples for novel mechanisms raising money are green bonds, onshore local currency financing, public private partnerships (PPPs) and resource-financed infrastructure. Public policy tools include innovation financing for digital infrastructure or export credits for trade-driven innovation, often focusing on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) including climate action.
Entwicklung und globale Diffusion von zukunftsorientierten Technologien sind zentrale Faktoren für den ökonomischen Erfolg von Volkswirtschaften. Die Digitalisierung der Unternehmen spielt inzwischen eine entscheidende Rolle für das Wirtschaftswachstum eines Landes. Wissensintensive Wirtschaftsbereiche wachsen rasant, und internationale Arbeitsteilung über globale Wertschöpfungsketten sowie ausländische Direktinvestitionen prägen den Alltag vieler Firmen.
Export sichert Millionen von Arbeitsplätzen in Deutschland. Auch in anderen Ländern profitieren Menschen von positiven Effekten durch internationale Aktivitäten von Unternehmen. Finanzierung und Risikoabsicherung durch staatliche Exportkreditagenturen spielen dabei eine wesentliche Rolle, wenn der Markt versagt. Dies gilt gerade in Krisenzeiten wie der Covid-19-Pandemie. Regierungen haben mit Coronahilfen für die Exportwirtschaft Außenhandel ermöglicht und dadurch zahlreiche Arbeitsplätze gesichert. Mit einer Vielzahl von Aktivitäten haben unter anderem Dänemark, Deutschland, Polen und Österreich im Jahr 2020 schnell und effizient agiert. Teilweise deutlich erhöhte Finanzmittel, neue Garantieprodukte, verbesserte Finanzierungs- und Versicherungsbedingungen sowie vereinfachte Antragsverfahren waren zentrale Maßnahmen europäischer Regierungen. Gezeigt hat sich, dass auch in der Zukunft eine übergeordnete strategische Ausrichtung, ein gemeinsamer Förderansatz sowie eine wirkungsorientierte Gestaltung von Förderinstitutionen wichtig sind.
To successfully support private sector development in Africa by the use of trade and export promotion instruments, a comprehensive policy framework is crucial. Different institutional setups for development support show different levels of resilience and effectiveness in coping with the economic conditions they are exposed to. However, there is strong evidence that managing the interplay of three fundamental building blocks – public policy, focus areas, strategic objectives and critical success factors as well as institutions, is the key to crafting sustainable and responsive economies. Export plays a significant role in the national economy, and innovative and integrated government financing instruments have to successfully support the competitiveness of national companies in the global economy. Financing and supporting foreign trade with private businesses in Africa occupies a pivotal role, impacting from new product development and job creation in developed countries through economic growth and human development in African countries.
Financing trade and development sustainably will be crucial for Africa. Enhanced collaboration between multilateral development banks, development finance institutions and ECAs could greatly enhance intra-regional trade. Furthermore, setting up a ‘level playing field’ on the continent will allow governments to make strategic interventions for successful export credits and trade finance solutions, fostering growth through trade. African trade is already showing signs of rebounding from the coronavirus- induced recession. Through concerted, co-operative and continent-wide efforts, drawing on the knowledge and resources of all types of institutions and policy experts, Africa will continue to grow confidently and quickly into its increasingly important role as an engine of economic growth and global trade.
Creating growth through trade is an important part of the policy approach of many economies. For decades, many member countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) have cooperated in a fair competition for the benefit of their national exporters. The countries’ official export credit agencies (ECAs) have established and jointly improved rules and regulations for export credit and political risk insurance. However, new players such as China, Russia or other fast developing countries have now joined the list of top exporting nations. As these countries have established their own ECAs, there is a need to introduce rules and regulations on global standards for financial terms as well as truly international norms ensuring ‘ethical’ trading behaviour.
But how will government support for foreign trade look like in the future? Will global standards for export credit and political risk insurance become reality by 2020? And how will strict rules and regulations for officially supported export credits and FDI regarding ethics, human rights and the environment impact growth through trade in general, or exporters in particular? These are questions addressed by the thirty eight contributions to Global Policy’s third eBook entitled ‘The Future of Foreign Trade Support – Setting Global Standards for Export Credit and Political Risk Insurance’, guest edited by Andreas Klasen and Fiona Bannert.
Excellent organisations require targeted strategies to implement their vision and mission, deploying a stakeholder-focused approach. As part of evidence-based policy making, it is a common approach to measure government financing vehicles’ results. A state-of-the-art method in quantitative benchmarking to overcome the challenge of considering multiple inputs and outputs is Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA). Descriptive statistics and explorative-qualitative approaches are also applied in a modern ECA benchmarking model to substantiate DEA results and put them into perspective. This enabler-result model provides a holistic view and allows to identify top performing ECAs and Exim-Banks, providing the opportunity for inefficient institutions to learn from their most productive peers. This best practice approach for strategic benchmarking enables the senior management to develop and implement a cutting-edge strategy, and increase value for key stakeholders.
International trade requires sufficient, reliable, and affordable sources of financing. Export credit agencies (ECAs) fill trade finance gaps by offering financing, insurance and guarantees to provide liquidity or mitigate risks. They help to create or secure jobs in the domestic economy. However, comprehensive government support is required to create significant impact. This includes ‘full faith and credit’ of the state. In the context of public foreign trade promotion, full faith and credit is defined as an explicit, direct or indirect, irrevocable, legal commitment to accept all liabilities of an ECA as unconditional obligations of the respective government. Our policy recommendations for countries with relatively young ECAs, for example in Ukraine, Armenia, and Malawi, are to establish a full guarantee in addition to an efficient legal set-up, sufficient capital, and sound risk management of the respective agency. Without full faith and credit, policy goals of fostering economic growth through foreign trade fall short.
This paper aims to draw attention to an urgent need for reform of the regulatory framework of the broader export credit system to ensure a new and comprehensive "safe haven" for officially supported export credits. The purpose is to analyse the complex debate on disciplines of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), creating a point of reference for future analysis of and debates around the "carve-out clause" of the Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures (ASCM) and a "safe haven" in a broader sense.
Staatliche Exportkreditagenturen und Export-Import-Banken finanzieren, versichern und garantieren jährlich fast 1 Bio. US-Dollar – mehr als 3 % der globalen Güterexporte. Ihre Interventionen sind an internationale Rahmenbedingungen gebunden, insbesondere an das WTO-Subventionsübereinkommen (ASCM) und den OECD-Konsensus. Das komplexe Zusammenspiel beider Rechtsrahmen sorgt seit langem für Herausforderungen, vor allem hinsichtlich des Anwendungsbereichs des “safe haven” des ASCM und des “Matching”-Mechanismus der OECD. In den vergangenen Jahren hinzugekommen ist die Problematik neuer Instrumente der Exportvor- sowie der Klimafinanzierung. Der folgende Beitrag erörtert Herausforderungen und Lösungsansätze. Er zeigt auf, dass der neue OECD-Konsensus trotz zahlreicher Verbesserungen zentrale rechtliche Probleme nicht behebt.
Risk aversion, financing and real servicThe Global CEO Survey was launched in 2015 by researchers from Offenburg University, the University of Westminster and the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) to better understand and discover what factors influence exporters’ demand for credit insurance. Although some scholars discussed aspects of corporate insurance demand with regard to exporters, there is limited research concerning the demand for export credit insurance associated with firm-specific factors. Only few empirical studies support existing theories on corporate insurance demand and export credits. This project investigates and fills the relevant gap of official export credit insurance demand.es
In a dynamic global landscape, the role of UK Export Finance (UKEF) and other export credit agencies (ECAs) has never been more important. Access to finance is critical for exporters as it enables them to invest in production, expand operations, manage cash flow and mitigate trade risks. However, businesses face challenges in securing export finance and trade credit insurance as geopolitical and trade megatrends lead to increased political, market and credit risks. Drawing on qualitative data from 35 semi-structured interviews and expert discussions and based on the Futures Triangle analytical framework, this white paper analyses the geopolitical and trade megatrends that UKEF and other ECAs will face in the coming years. It presents novel findings about the implications for ECA mandates, strategies, products and operations: The evolution of mandates towards a “growth promoter”, the need to further scale up operations, the use of big data and artificial intelligence for risk analysis and forecasting, and the need to balance multiple and conflicting priorities, including export growth, support for small and medium-sized exporters, inclusive trade, climate action, and positive impact in developing markets.
This report examines exporters’ challenges and possible solutions for public intervention to promote foreign trade. Based on fieldwork conducted in Georgia, we explore which policy approaches can help to stimulate Georgian exports further. Our outcomes show that exporters face substantial barriers such as navigating complex trade regulations, lack of knowledge about target markets, trade finance gaps, as well as new export promotion programs (EPPs) in competitor countries. Other upper-middle-income countries can learn from our results that exporters can significantly benefit from a comprehensive export promotion strategy combined with an ecosystem-based “team” approach. EPPs related to awareness and capacity building in Georgia should be part of this strategy, focusing on challenges such as a lack of knowledge about trade practices and international business skills. Other EPPs must help to mitigate related market failures, as information gathering is costly, and firms have no incentive to share this information with competitors. Furthermore, targeted marketing support and customer matchmaking can answer Georgian exporters’ challenges, such as lack of market access and low sector visibility. Our results also show that public intervention through financial support and risk mitigation is essential for firms with an international orientation. The high-quality, rich outcomes provide significant value for other upper-middle-income countries by exploring the example of Georgia’s contemporary circumstances in an in-depth manner based on extensive interviews and document analysis. Limitations include that our work primarily relies on qualitative data and further research could involve a quantitative study with a diverse range of sectors.
In an extensive research project, we have assessed the application of different service models by export credit agencies (ECAs) and export-import banks (EXIMs). We conducted interviews with 35 representatives of ECAs and EXIMs from 27 countries. The question guiding this study is: How do ECAs and EXIMs adopt public service models for supporting exporters? We conducted a holistic multiple case study, investigating if and how these organisations apply public service models developed by Schedler and Guenduez, and which roles of the state are relevant. We find that there is a variety of different service models used by ECAs and EXIMs, and that the service model approaches have great potential to learn from each other and innovate existing services.
Public export credits and trade insurance require a global framework of institutions, rules and regulations to avoid subsidies and a race to the bottom. The extensive modernisation of the Arrangement on Officially Supported Export Credits (Arrangement) of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development intends to re-level the playing field. This Practitioner Commentary describes the demand for adequate government interventions, considers the need for the reform and discusses key aspects of the new Arrangement. We argue that there is a breakthrough in several important areas such as tenors, repayment terms and green finance. However, we also find that the modernisation falls short in areas such as the interplay between different rulebooks, pre-shipment instruments' regulations and climate action.
The utilisation of artificial intelligence (AI) is progressively emerging as a significant mechanism for innovation in human resource management (HRM). The capacity to facilitate the transformation of employee performance across numerous responsibilities. AI development, there remains a dearth of comprehensive exploration into the potential opportunities it presents for enhancing workplace performance among employees. To bridge this gap in knowledge, the present work carried out a survey with 300 participants, utilises a fuzzy set-theoretic method that is grounded on the conceptualisation of AI, KS, and HRM. The findings of our study indicate that the exclusive adoption of AI technologies does not adequately enhance HRM engagements. In contrast, the integration of AI and KS offers a more viable HRM approach for achieving optimal performance in a dynamic digital society. This approach has the potential to enhance employees’ proficiency in executing their responsibilities and cultivate a culture of creativity inside the firm.
Purpose
Although recent literature has examined diverse measures adopted by SMEs to navigate the COVID-19 turbulence, there is a shortage of evidence on how crisis-time strategy creation behaviour and digitalization activities increase (1) sales and (2) cash flow. Thus, predicated on a novel strategy creation perspective, this inquiry aims to investigate the crisis behaviour, sales and cash flow performance of 528 SMEs in Morocco.
Design/methodology/approach
Novel links between (1) aggregate wage cuts, (2) variable operating hours, (3) deferred payment to suppliers, (4) deferred payment to tax authorities and (5) sales performance are developed and tested. A further link between sales performance and cash flow is also examined and the analysis is conducted using a non-linear structural equation modelling technique.
Findings
While there is a significant association between strategy creation behaviours and sales performance, only variable operating hours have a positive effect. Also, sales performance increases cash flow and this relationship is substantially strengthened by e-commerce digitalization and innovation.
Originality/value
Theoretically, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is one of the first inquiries to espouse the strategy creation view to explain SMEs' crisis-time behaviour and digitalization. For practical purposes, to supplement Moroccan SMEs' propensity to seek tax deferrals, it is argued that debt and equity support measures are also needed to boost sales performance and cash flow.
The Future of FDI: Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals 2030 through Impact Investment
(2019)
Publicized as a global call for action in 2015, the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution on the Sustainable Development Goals 2030 (SDGs). Before issuing the SDGs in 2015, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) has already identified in 2014, as part of their World Investment Report, that especially developing countries are facing an estimated USD 2.5 trillion funding gap annually in the efforts to achieve the SDGs. Yet, the investment opportunities and challenges for investors, when contributing to the closure of this funding gap while benefiting from its economic potential have not been widely discussed. Despite that Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) are a key driver to sustainable economic growth and prosperity of a nation, policies and a holistic framework linking the 2030 Agenda to actionable investment opportunities for private investors are missing. Furthermore, a global platform capturing, channeling and promoting investment projects aiming to achieve the SDGs through impact investment has not been established. Utilizing global financial resources more effectively while developing new approaches and tools to promote impact investments, which demonstrate the benefits for investors to tap into the funding gap of the 2030 Agenda, will have the potential to significantly shape and influence the future of FDI.
Führungskräfte deutscher Unternehmen sehen sich gegenwärtig zwei branchenübergreifenden Anforderungen gegenüber: Innovationen und Digitalisierung. Handelt es sich bei Innovationen um ein wissenschaftlich gut durchdrungenes Thema, zeichnen sich die neuen Möglichkeiten der Digitalisierung erst in Umrissen ab. Einig ist man sich darin, dass die Digitalisierung nicht nur einen bestimmten Unternehmensteil betrifft, sondern das ganze Unternehmen übergreift. So eröffnet sie nicht nur neue Möglichkeiten für einzelne Teilfunktionen, sondern auch Verbesserungen bei funktionsübergreifenden Aufgaben. Wie diese genutzt werden können, zeigen die Autoren und Autorinnen dieses Sammelbandes. Sie präsentieren neue Denkansätze und konkrete Entscheidungshilfen für Unternehmen, die in einer digitalen Wirtschaft innovativ bleiben wollen.