35 research outputs found

    Subsidiary staffing and performance: the case of foreign multinationals in the U.S.

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    International staffing is an important mechanism for the control and coordination of culturally and geographically dispersed operations of a multinational corporation. However literature on subsidiary staffing patterns and the search for the antecedents of subsidiary staffing has led to mixed results in the past. Moreover, the relation between subsidiary staffing and subsidiary performance has received very limited attention from researchers. Thus, this thesis is aimed at improving our understanding of the antecedents and outcomes of subsidiary staffing by addressing two research questions. My first research question relates to the antecedents of subsidiary staffing. I explore the influence of cultural distance between home and host countries, uncertainty avoidance dimension of the home country's national culture, and dependence of the subsidiary on the headquarters on subsidiary staffing patterns. My second research question relates to whether there is a relation between how a subsidiary is staffed and how it performs. Within this question, I explore whether multinational corporations face a paradox when staffing culturally distant subsidiaries. Although the literature suggests that cultural distance leads to ethnocentric staffing patterns, I argue that this decision will lower subsidiary performance since cultural distance will also diminish the ability of parent country nationals to operate successfully in such an environment. I test my model on a random sample of 52 foreign multinationals operating in the U.S. Although U.S. is the top recipient of foreign direct investment in the world, this population has not been studied in published international staffing studies, and thus is a valuable contribution to the emerging literature on this topic. The results provide support for both of the research questions. All the three antecedents are significant predictors of the ratio of parent country nationals in the workforce. For the second research question, although there is no direct relation between subsidiary staffing and performance, this relation depends on the cultural distance between the U.S. and the home country. Ethnocentric staffing diminishes subsidiary performance significantly when cultural distance is high.M.S.Includes bibliographical references (p. 56-64)

    Enhancing subsidiary absorptive capacity: the role of knowledge acquisition practices and intellectual capital

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    Drawing from the absorptive capacity framework and the knowledge-based view of multinational corporations (MNCs), this dissertation explores linkages among knowledge acquisition practices, organizational learning, knowledge creation capability, and performance among a sample of US subsidiaries of multinational corporations operating in the manufacturing industry. Overall, data from 106 MNC subsidiaries located in the US and headquartered either in Europe or Japan support the predictions of this study and indicate that subsidiary performance is driven by both an internal and an external path of knowledge acquisition and learning. Specifically, results showed that internal and external knowledge acquisition practices were positively related to the learning of internal and external know-how respectively. Both internal and external learning, in turn, were positively related to a subsidiary’s knowledge creation capability, which, in turn, was positively related to subsidiaries’ performance in the US. However, the external learning–knowledge creation capability path was much stronger than the internal learning–knowledge creation path which was positive only under conditions of low external learning, low subsidiary social capital, and high subsidiary organizational capital. Several methods for testing mediated relationships converged on the finding that internal and external learning as well as knowledge creation capability carry the influence of internal and external knowledge acquisition practices to subsidiary competitive advantage through an indirect path. Results, in general, did not support the predictions that intellectual capital positively moderates the relationship between learning and knowledge creation capability. Moreover, two of the three significant interactions of the relationship between internal learning and knowledge creation capability – social capital and external learning - were in the opposite direction of what was hypothesized - yielding to an unexpected pattern of findings. Only in the case of high organizational capital, the relationship between internal learning and knowledge creation capability was positively stronger. For the relationship between external learning and knowledge creation capability, none of the proposed intellectual capital moderators were significant.Ph.D.Includes bibliographical references (p. 120-131)by Saba Colakogl

    An empirical examination of personal learning within the context of teams.

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    Using a sample of 588 employees in 59 work teams, we tested a model that situates personal learning within the context of teams, viewing it as a joint function of teams’ leadership climate (i.e., transformational leadership) and task characteristics (i.e., task routineness and task interdependence). Consistent with our hypotheses, we found that the positive relationships between transformational leadership climate and the two dimensions of personal learning (relational job learning and personal skill development) were moderated by the nature of the teams’ tasks. Specifically, transformational leadership climate was more strongly associated with personal learning for members of teams working on tasks that were less routine, rather than more routine. However, no significant moderation was found for leadership climate and task interdependence. Our findings underscore the importance of taking into account the contextual conditions within which leadership influence occurs while also demonstrating the potential role that leaders can play in promoting employees’ personal learning. Overall, our study bolsters theories that conceptualize adult learning as a transaction between people and their social environments and points to a practical need to match leadership styles with team task characteristics to unleash transformational leadership effects.Peer reviewe

    Algorithmic Form Generation for Crochet Technique

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    In architecture use of generative computation suggests a possibility of rethinking the form finding process. In order to generate form, one method could be predefining first the production technique and constraining the form by the rules of it. In this study crochet-knitting technique is chosen as a production technique. To explore various forms developed through this technique; a computational model, which the behavior of crochet-knitted surface is embedded into, is developed. This paper explains the process of decoding the behavior of a crochet-knitted surface for a computational model in order to extract the crochet-knitting patterns of complex geometrical surfaces

    Cracking but not breaking: Joint effects of faultline strength and diversity climate on loyal behavior

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    This study examines the joint effects of diversity composition (as manifested in faultline strength) and diversity management (as manifested in diversity climate) on loyal behavior. Using data gathered from a sample of 1,652 managerial employees in 76 work units, we assess the cross-level effects of unit-level relationship- and task-related faultline strength and diversity climate on individual-level loyal behavior of managerial employees. We find a negative relationship between gender faultline strength and loyal behavior, and a positive relationship between diversity climate and loyal behavior. In addition, we find that work unit diversity climate moderates the relationships between the strength of gender and function faultlines and loyal behavior; specifically, a supportive diversity climate reduces the negative consequences associated with relationship-related faultlines and increases the positive consequences associated with task-related faultlines. The results highlight the value of simultaneously considering faultlines and diversity climate in understanding and managing workforce diversity.Peer reviewe

    Nasal Base Retraction: A Treatment Algorithm

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    Lee, Bernard T./0000-0002-5533-3166; Tas, Suleyman/0000-0001-8874-3009; Colakoglu, Salih/0000-0002-8747-0616Background: Nasal base retraction results from cephalic malposition of the alar base in the vertical plane, which causes disharmony of the alar base with the rest of the nose structures. Correcting nasal base retraction is very important for improved aesthetic outcomes; however, there is a limited body of literature about this deformity and its treatment. Objectives: Create a nasal base retraction treatment algorithm based on a severity classification system. Methods: This is a retrospective case review study of 53 patients who underwent rhinoplasty with correction of alar base retraction by the senior author (S.T.). The minimum follow-up time was 6 months. Levator labii alaque nasi muscle dissection or alar base release with or without a rim graft on the effected side were performed based on the severity of the alar base retraction. Aesthetic results were assessed with objective grading of preoperative and postoperative patient photographs by two independent plastic surgeons. Functional improvement was assessed with patient self-evaluations of nasal patency. Also, a rhinoplasty outcomes evaluation (ROE) questionnaire was distributed to patients. Results: Comparison of preoperative and postoperative photographs demonstrated that nasal base asymmetry was significantly improved in all cases, and 85% of the patients had complete symmetry. Nasal obstruction was also significantly reduced after surgery (P < 0.001). The majority of patients reported satisfaction (92.5%), with an ROE total score greater than or equal to 20. Conclusions: New techniques and a treatment algorithm for correcting nasal base retraction deformities that will help rhinoplasty surgeons obtain aesthetically and functionally pleasing outcomes for patients

    A Practical and Successful Desensitization Protocol for Immediate Hypersensitivity Reactions to Iron Salts

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    Orally administered iron salts (OAS) are widely used in the management of iron deficiency anemia and hypersensitivity reactions to OAS are not common. If an offending drug is the sole option or is significantly more effective than its alternatives, it can be readministered by desensitization. The oral desensitization protocols for iron published so far concern either desensitization that was completed only over a long period or did not attain the recommended therapeutic dose. We aimed to develop a more effective protocol. We report here on 2 patients who experienced hypersensitivity reactions to OAS. After confirming the diagnosis, both patients were desensitized to oral ferrous (II) glycine sulfate complex according to a 2-day desensitization protocol. A commercial suspension of oral ferrous glycine sulfate, which contains 4 mg of elemental iron in 1 ml, was preferred. We started with a dose as low as 0.1 ml from a 1/100 dilution (0.004 mg elemental iron) of the original suspension and reached the maximum effective dose in 2 days. Both patients were successfully desensitized and they went on to complete the 6-month iron treatment without any adverse effects. Although hypersensitvity reactions to iron are not common, there is no alternative for iron administration. Therefore, desensitization has to be the choice. This easy desensitization protocol seems to be a promising option. i 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel</jats:p
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