ACADEMIC WRITING

Homeworks
ADRIAN HRINCESCU MANAGEMENT I 29.11.2012

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Homework

Translation into English of the abstract corresponding to dissertation and its structure pointing out
Based on the information you have exposed in classroom, the abstract contains five conceptual elements (moves); they are differently colored so that to be easier highlighted within the text: background, purpose, methods, results, and discussion .

T
THE

he abstract of my dissertation is reproduced below, exactly as it was agreed (to be read: imposed) with the project supervisor. As my personal thought, that was not really the best conception and, as a following, I further update it in a manner I consider to be proper that improvement coincide with the 3rd homework, task 11/page 24 save time in the future, print a copy of this document.

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Informatia contabila pe pietele de capital

Problematica eficienei informaionale a pieelor este ampl, iar rspunsul la IN ROMANIAN ntrebarea dac exist piee financiare eficiente este extrem de discutabil. Dincolo de oscilaiile de moment ale pieelor, exist un anumit ciclu istoric din care pieele financiare nu pot scpa, insa, cu toate acestea piaa a cunoscut numeroase scandaluri financiare mai mult sau mai putin surprinzatoare. Principalele cauze sunt asimetria informa ional i comportamentul oportunistic al agenilor. Uneori acionarii devin propriile lor victime, prin presiunea pe care o exercit pentru a obine ctiguri imediate, ceea ce srcete viziunea strategic i pune n pericol dezvoltarea pe termen lung a firmei. Manifestarea acestei tematici la nivelul firmei rezida n repartizarea profitului pe destinaii; poate cndva prea important doar poziionarea ntr-o stare de profitabilitate si ideea repartizrii profitului pe destinaii se aborda ca o tem marginal. n prezent, ntr-o lume n care asimetria de informaii i puterea de negociere sunt esenta succesului pe piata financiara, nu se mai poate aborda cu indiferen modul de repartizare a rezultatelor. O firm poate fi profitabil, dar aceasta nu genereaz obligatoriu bogie pentru toi. Asimetria de informaii manifestat ntre acionari, manageri i creditori poate face ca firmele s genereze cash-flow-uri, dar acestea s fie orientate preferential spre anumiti stakeholderi. n contextul realitii curente si a principiilor guvernanei corporative, susinerea unei logici care recomand reinvestirea profitului sau neutralitatea politicii de dividend ar evidenia perspective neviabile pentru firm i ar ridica
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un oarecare semn de ntrebare cu privire la sinceritatea managerului. Aceast stare de dezbateri motiveaz pentru a analiza problematica mai profund. Rspunsurile oferite de diveri cercettori nu ofer ntotdeauna starea de linite ce caracterizeaz alte domenii financiare. Se dovedeste de multe ori ca acest fascinant fenomen, paradoxul profitului, este o chestiune de noroc. Analiza variabilitatii gradului de concentrare a proprietatii si testarea facilitatilor MBO sunt metodele inovatoare ce evidentiaza solutii si evolutii viabile pentru companii. CUVINTE CHEIE: paradoxul profitului, piata financiara, asimetria informationala, guvernanta corporativa, MBO

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Accounting information on financial market

The issue of market informational efficiency is extensive and on whether or not efficient financial markets would exist has been a high scientific debate. Beyond IN ENGLISH markets temporary oscillations a historical cycle restrains financial markets with chains so t hat no way out can be considered, but nevertheless, the market has experienced numerous, more or less surprising, financial scandals. The main causes are information asymmetry and opportunistic agents behavior (the agency theory is invoked). Sometimes shareholders deceive themselves becoming their own victims, by the pressure they exert in order immediate gains to be achieved, which blurs the strategic vision and compromises long-run development of the company. The implication of this theme at the companys management level lies in profit sharing destinations; once, only the placement in a state of profitability might seem important, but the idea of profit sharing into classes was approached as a collateral issue. Today, in a world where information asymmetry and bargaining power are the essence of success in the financial market, the results distribution cannot be indifferently dealt with any longer. A business can be profitable, but it does not necessarily generate wealth for all. The information asymmetry between shareholders, managers and creditors may cause firms to generate cash-flows, but afterwards these ones would be preferentially allotted to certain stakeholders. In the context of current realities and principles of corporate governance, asserting a logic which recommends profits reinvestment or dividend policy neutrality would highlight non-viable outlooks for the company and would raise some question marks on managers sincerity. This debating state motivates to more deeply issues exploration. Different notorious researchers answers do not always provide the fairly unconcerned state which other financial areas have as hallmark . Often, this fascinating phenomenon, referred as " profit paradox" , is a matter of luck. Variability analysis of the propertys concentration degree and MBOs benefits testing constitute the innovative methods which highlight viable solutions and progress for companies.
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KEYWORDS: profit paradox, financial market, information asymmetry, corporative governance, MBO

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Homework

Task 4 / page 11
My research area is a niche referring the intersection point between strategic management, intercultural management and knowledge management. At the moment, the doctoral research title is: Multinational organizations management strategies for mutual adaptation andadvantagesinter-transferwithculturesand civilizations of host countries.

oint 1: own examples of open sentences for each type: A, B, C and D.

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Real world phenomenon

The extension of international trade implies the societies are more exposed to alternative attitudes, beliefs, ideas, and values leading to a Schumpeterian process of creative destruction whereby culture is destroyed on some margins and enhanced on others. Whereas innovation is often the responsibility of specialists in R&D, marketing, design or IT, the underlying creative skills and problem-solving abilities are possessed by everyone. This article seeks to analyze empirically the net effect of aggressive penetration in the economic culture.

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Standard practice

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Purpose or Objective

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TY PE

Present Researcher Action

The Boston model of configuration in standardization, namely only the four distinctive types of soft strategies, is the tool we considered to analyze the national reactive cultural patterns.

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Problem or an Uncertainty

The renewed interest in the product customization debate among academics and professionals has concentrated in the question of whether to customize multinational companies products or adapt international products to foreign markets.

oint 2: Categorization of the opening sentences in my reference corpus (20 abstracts). The 20 abstracts are listed further down. The opening sentences are colored in purple. But, first and foremost, please take a look in the table that groups the mentioned sentences by type A, B, C and D. The entire articles are archived in a file I also sent you via e-mail altogether with this document you are currently reading.

The abstracts between 1 and 10 are retrieved from Emerald Journal. The Emeralds abstracts are structured and delimited in a standard way so that each abstract contains separately specified the Purpose and Researcher actions as well. Therefore, the first ten abstracts have two simultaneous opening sentences: one
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Abstract no. Type A Type B Type C Type D 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 TOTAL 5 11 13 1

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of type B and one of type C. Concluding, the distribution is: Type A = 5 opens, Type B = 11 opens, Type C = 13 opens, Type D = 1 open. This distributions is quiet natural as long as it is habitual t he presentations to start from general to particular.
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ABSTRACT 01

Corporate governance and national culture: a multi-country study

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to show that corporate governance structures differ significantly across countries. Using agency theory and institutional theory, it examines how ownership structure and national culture influence the size and leadership structure of the corporate boards of multinational firms based in industrial countries. Design/methodology/approach The hypotheses are tested with data on 399 multinational manufacturing firms based in 15 industrial countries. The authors use ownership concentration, bank control, and state ownership to represent ownership structure. They view institutional structural norms as components of national culture and infer the nature of these norms for governance structure from Hofstedes national culture dimensions. Findings The findings show that national culture has a dominant influence on corporate governance structure, and its emphasis is recommended in future cross-national organizational research. Research limitations/implications Although the models were successful in explaining MNC board structure, the authors addressed only the effects of ownership structure and national culture. It is expected that these models could be improved by including national political and legal differences and additional national economic variables. Practical implications The findings demonstrate that national cultures of the home countries of MNCs have powerful influences on their governance structures. Originality/value This paper links national culture with governance structure. Keywords: Corporate governance, National cultures

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Cross-cultural leadership

ABSTRACT 02

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to summarize a successfully defended doctoral dissertation and to place this research in context to emerging areas of international project management (PM), leadership, and cultural intelligence, and to encourage others to embark on further research related to this important topic. Design/methodology/approach Results reported in this paper were based upon action learning, and were subsequently tested by utilizing a Delphi panel of international subject matter experts. Findings The primary finding was that there are five dimensions of cross-cultural leadership intelligence (XLQ) that enable leaders to function effectively in any culture: societal, business, or group. Research limitations/implications Research efforts point to the skills that project and business leaders must have to effectively lead cross-cultural teams, virtual or co-located. It suggests the areas of research
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that need to be undertaken to put metrics on each dimension, and so to provide a means of training and testing potential leaders. Originality/value From academic perspective, the synthesis of anthropology, sociology, psychology, business, management, and leadership enhances the body of knowledge of PM. For practical applications, the dimensions identified can be employed and utilized to begin training of international leaders. Keywords: Leadership, Culture, Conflict management, Delphi method, Metaphors
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American culture and the 2008 financial crisis

ABSTRACT 03

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to trace the cultural roots of the presently ongoing crisis. Design/methodology/approach The approach is to collect rankings of perceived goals of business leaders in 17 countries, from their employees who are attending evening MBA courses. Findings There are marked differences in goal ranking between countries; overall ranking across countries follows the US model, but with exceptions. Research limitations/implications Data collection was between 1995 and 2002 and analysis is based on judgment of evening MBA students with day jobs. Practical implications This paper explains the present financial crisis from a hypertrophy of US cultural goals: growth, greed, and short-term gains. Originality/value The paper illustrates the unusual but credible data source from which the crisis could have been predicted. Keywords: Strategic objectives, Business planning, National cultures, Recession United States of America

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Towards a cross-cultural typology of trust in B2B food trade

ABSTRACT 04

Purpose This paper aims to develop a hierarchical typology of trust elements for business-to-business trade among European companies in the food sector. Design/methodology/approach The paper integrates desk research literature study and a qualitative survey of food industry companies. An extensive literature review about interorganizational trust lays a foundation for designing a draft typology based on previous studies, with special attention paid to the influence of culture. Fine-tuning and validation of the typology is achieved through an exploratory field study based on 18 qualitative in-depth interviews with key informants in five EU countries, involving practitioners from the fresh fruit and vegetable, grain, meat and olive supply chains. Findings A detailed typology of trust is developed. Although it is highly specific to the food industry, it is designed to be neutral to culture and sector, thus allowing the identification of differences in culture when dealing with trust building elements in different sectors in the food supply chain. Research limitations/implications Since the buyers perspective is adopted in this paper, further research is needed to validate the typology on the seller side. The typology developed here must also be
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tested in practice, for instance within a descriptive research quantitative study, aimed at quantifying he relative importance of the different trust elements. Practical implications The typology stimulates the consideration of cross-cultural or cross-sector differences in the salience of trust attributes and its construction process confirms that reputation management is an extremely important determinant of success or failure. It can serve as a checklist for any company that is interested in improving its relationships with suppliers or buyers. Originality/value The paper adds to the body of knowledge about inter-organizational trust, providing researchers with a useful tool for conducting experimental research on trust creation mechanisms. Keywords: Trust, Food industry, Business-to-business marketing, International trade

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Cross-cultural group performance

ABSTRACT 05

Purpose This paper aims to explore the assumption that the impact of cultural diversity on knowledge creating capability is consequent to associated differences in knowledge and perspectives, and suggests that these knowledge differences produce their effect by triggering deliberative, collaborative behaviors. Design/methodology/approach To investigate the impact of intervening variables on diversitys impact in teams, the paper assesses whether cognitive heterogeneity operates as a mediating variable between cultural diversity and knowledge creation, and whether debate operates as a second stage mediator. The paper utilizes a survey-based, quantitative approach and collects data from 98 teams, which is analyzed using causal steps approach. Findings The results provide support for the assumed impact of cognitive heterogeneity and also support the existence of sequential mediation pathway, with debate operating as a second stage mediator between cognitive heterogeneity and knowledge creation. Originality/value The paper advances the research on diversity, cross-cultural team dynamics and knowledge creation in two main ways. First, it investigates the role of team cognitions in the creation of new ideas by cross-cultural teams. This responds to calls to understand the factors impacting on the performance of diverse teams (Ayoko and Hartel). Second, it incorporates deliberative team processes into the model as a second-stage mediator, which responds to calls to understand the role of process variables in team knowledge creation efforts (Drach-Zahavy and Somech). Keywords: Cross-cultural management, Team working, Knowledge creation
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ABSTRACT 06

Purpose This paper seeks to identify the practical challenges of implementing a code of conduct in the supply chain management of multinational mobile phone industries from diverse cultural
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Cultural and legal challenges in implementing code of conduct in supply chain management of mobile phone industries: Sony Ericsson case study

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and legal contexts by analyzing critically how a multinational company manages the CSR concept in its supply chain. Design/methodology/approach This study is based on qualitative interviews, analysis of codes of conduct and the practices of Sony Ericsson as well as of one of its suppliers. Findings Codes of conduct should be perceived differently within different contexts. Therefore, cultural and legal issues have to be considered when formulating and implementing codes of conduct, and when assessing compliance. The development of codes of conduct in the mobile phone industry is an ongoing process. Both cultural and legal challenges have to be considered. Originality/value Each company should define its own standards and limits of responsibility within the context of ethical sourcing, while some basic codes of conduct compliance should be forced on the whole mobile phone industry. Keywords: Corporate social responsibility, Supply chain management, Code of conduct, Compliance, Monitoring, Multinational companies, Mobile technology
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ABSTRACT 07

Cultural consciousness and the effective implementation of information and communication technology

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to discuss how culture, influenced by the project setup and contextual issues, impacts on information and communication technology (ICT) engagement, through a multiple perspective approach to cultural assessment. A cultural lens is used to understand the level of ICT engagement in project organizations. Design/methodology/approach Cultural analysis (CA) is employed as the overarching research methodology. The CA investigates the conflicts between the espoused values and actual beliefs of members to understand culture. A pre-existing CA framework with established espoused values for ICT implementation is used in this study. Ethnographic interview in a case study setup is employed to extract actual cultural beliefs. These beliefs are then analyzed through the CA framework to explain cultural environment and its impact on ICT implementation. Findings The ICT-related behavior of the project team members is contextual to a project environment. This implies that effective ICT adoption requires careful consideration of the cultural traits in the design and implementation phases. It is suggested that neither a simple linear prescription nor overlooking specific contextual aspects is beneficial for effective ICT implementation. Originality/value This paper contributes in developing an understanding of: how CA framework through deciphering espoused values and actual beliefs can assist in studying organizational issues; and how the contextual issues shape the culture in a project organization leading to integrated or fragmented ICT implementation. Keywords: Australia, Construction industry, Information technology, Communications technology, Project teams, Cultural analysis, Trust, Communication, Relationships, Cultural beliefs
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ABSTRACT 08

Exploring the influence of national cultural context on CSR implementation

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to determine how national cultural context may be harnessed to support corporate social responsibility (CSR) implementation when sourcing fashion garments from developing country manufacturers. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative case study approach was adopted, using purposive sampling to select seven export garment manufacturers of varying size and business model in Sri Lanka. Primary data were collected through on-site, face-to-face interviews with managerial level and operational level informants within each company and through non-participant observation within factory environments. Findings It was found that harnessing the local cultural context can support and progress CSR implementation at the factory level: in Sri Lanka, the Buddhist philosophy provided the moral underpinning and hence facilitated supplier engagement with CSR implementation. The presence of governmental support reduces the likelihood of CSR transgressions by adding an extra level of accountability for suppliers. Furthermore, the level of socioeconomic development also affects CSR implementation, as managerial competency increases with higher education levels. Practical implications Analyzing the success of CSR implementation in the Sri Lankan export garment manufacturing industry enables the identification of country-specific factors which support CSR implementation. The managerial perspective taken within the research would be of use to fashion brands and retailers that are looking for ways of progressing CSR implementation in their global supply chains. Originality/value This paper presents industry-specific data from a key global garment manufacturing country on a commercially sensitive subject. It identifies factors within the national cultural context that support CSR implementation in the fashion supply chain. Keywords: Sri Lanka, Developing countries, National cultures, Garment industry, Corporate social responsibility, Fashion, Supply chain management.
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A new organizational memory for cross-cultural knowledge management

Purpose Effectively managing the cultural environment is an important stepping stone towards international business success. Cultural problems, especially between partners coming from diametrically different cultural categories represent one of the key challenges of knowledge management in international business co-operations. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the influence of controversial cultural attitudes on collaboration and the use of most diverse knowledge capital of employees being regarded as a key resource for innovation and competitive advantage. Design/methodology/approach Based on a comprehensive literature review, the very extensive data collection phase, applying the case study method, was carried out over a 13 month period. It mainly consisted of in-depth interviews requiring 23 of them to reach theoretical saturation, nonparticipant and participant observation (seven), focus groups (four) and fieldtrip notes in two culturally diverse Russian and Austrian research settings. Theoretical sampling was used to select
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the participants. The grounded theory method of constant comparative analysis was used to analyze the gathered data. Findings The attitude towards sharing the precious resource of diverse employees knowledge regarded as a prerequisite to international business success is influenced by national cultures. Protective attitudes for knowledge sharing limit the growth of humans and the companys development. This paper suggests that providing the appropriate knowledge management tools and environment, especially referring to the soft aspects of emotions, will enhance and even change former institutionalized and ingrained patterns of behaviors. Therefore, the paper sheds light on the knowledge sharing contingency depending more on a social-cognitive state rather than a static hierarchical status. Originality/value The paper poses two innovative organizational memory conceptualizations based on respondents needs and demands entailing a synthesis of knowledge management and interpersonal interactions to achieve the highest level of efficiency and high degrees of knowledge sharing and absorption. It bridges the gap of purely knowledge based and unemotional management tools towards a lively and engaging tool. This would appear to be the first time that an investigation of this type has been conducted explaining culturally influenced factors of knowledge management in Eastern and Western European co-operations. Keywords: Knowledge management, Organizational memory, Culture, Organizational culture, Russia, Austria, Eastern Europe, Western Europe
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National culture and infrastructure development: comparison among four cultural typologies

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the predictive influence of national cultural models on national infrastructure development. The national culture models of Hofstede, GLOBE, Ronen and Shenkar, and the World and European Values Survey (WEVS), were measured and compared to ascertain the best prediction fit for national infrastructure development. Design/methodology/approach A literature review examined four established cultural models, most of which (with the exception of the WEVS) assert stable, holistic models of national culture for business applications. The argument for cultural divergence in key moderators and mediators such as infrastructure development was also discussed. Then each models predictability was measured with set correlation methodology, using GDP and population as co-variates. Also, the marginal influence of the other three cultural typologies were controlled for in each respective analysis. Findings Each model was found to have a positive significant prediction relationship with national culture infrastructure growth. The most promising model is the WEVS which explains a substantial proportion of the variance in national infrastructure. Additionally, WEVS has a higher predictive link to each infrastructure area than the other models. These results are preliminary and cross-sectional, yet they suggest that dynamic cultural models may be the best predictors of infrastructure development. Practical implications The study shows that increased efforts by the private sector and government can rely on dynamic models to boost national GDPs, and give better strategic guidance to foreign financial investment and human resources management. Originality/value The paper supports the hypotheses that national culture models can grow GDP to a healthy level through prediction, assessment, and then taking necessary interventions.
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Keywords: National cultures, Economic development, National economy, Cultural typology, International management, Set correlation

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Cross-cultural entrepreneurial competence in identifying international business opportunities

International operations are increasingly a prerequisite for survival, competitiveness and growth of entrepreneurial ventures. In Europe, where small and medium- sized enterprises and entrepreneurs play a significant role in the economy, they operate in a complex environment affected by diverse and intense pressure of national cultures. Responses of entrepreneurs in meeting these challenges can be supported by developing a deeper theoretical understanding of variables pertinent to international entrepreneur- ship. This paper contributes to the theoretical understanding of the process of international opportunity identification by entrepreneurs. We look at the influence of the cross-cultural environment on the cognition, behavior and the effectiveness of decision-making by international entrepreneurs at identifying cross-border opportunities. We then investigate the role of cross-cultural competence in moderating entrepreneurial opportunity competencies and entrepreneurial self-efficacy and, therefore, the over-all effectiveness of international opportunity identification. Finally, we define cross -cultural competence in international opportunity identification and conclude by discussing implication of this study for practitioners and researchers.

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Cross-cultural Comparisons of Managerial Perceptions on Profit

KEYWORDS: business ethics, culture, profit

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The study investigated the effects of three cultural variables country of employment, race/ethnicity and religion on managerial views of profit and 15 other business priorities. In total, 203 responses were obtained (120 randomly and 83 by quota) from executives and managers belonging to either of two race/ethnic groups (Caucasian and Chinese) and three religious denominations (Christian, Buddhist and Malay Muslim) located in three different countries (Australia, Singapore and Malaysia). Findings indicated that these three different cultural variables affected (to varying degrees) the attitudes of managers towards profit and other related business concerns. Managers working in Malaysia, the Malay Muslims and Caucasians in particular, had the highest regard for profit whilst those employed in Australia were found, on the whole, to be the most (socially) considerate toward their employees, customers and environment. This study pointed to the need for cultural ethics as a complementary function in business.

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The role of culture in technology management research: National Character and Cultural Distance Framework

Management research exploring the role of national culture on topics such as management style, strategy and firm performance can broadly be divided into two categories. Studies that attempt to compare and contrast the impact of culture on organizations in different cultures have been labeled as National Character studies. These studies attempt to determine how specific cultural attributes affect actions, strategies and performance. The second type of culture study focuses on the interactions between two firms embedded in different national cultures. These studies look at the impact of Cultural Distance on the ability of organizations to successfully interact. It is this latter area which is becoming increasingly important to technology management in the Flat World of the 21st Century. Research propositions for technology management for each of the two frameworks are developed.

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National culture, leadership and citizenship: Implications for cross-cultural management

Continued globalization is raising the level of diversity within hospitality organizations as well as the likelihood that leaders will manage those from varying national cultures. Previous research has found that cultural congruence between leaders and stakeholders (i.e., from the same or different national cultures) impacts a variety of variables including perceived leadership style, satisfaction and trust. This study extends this line of research by investigating the relationship between cultural congruence, perceived leadership style, leadermember exchange (LMX) and employee citizenship behaviors. Using a highly diverse sample of 520 members of congruent and incongruent dyads from 66 countries working for 2 large cruise lines and 2 subsidiaries, multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was used to test the relationships. It was determined that cultural similarity impacted employee perceptions of LMX relations and organization citizenship behaviors, but not leadership style. The results of the study provide strategies for cross-cultural management in the hospitality industry.
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ABSTRACT 15

From a distance and detached to up close and personal: Bridging strategic and cross-cultural perspectives in international management research and practice

Despite its remarkable achievements, the field of international business (IB) is under attack; its legitimacy and importance are challenged. Structural weaknesses, in particular the existence of two subfields one drawing on economics and strategy, the other on cross-cultural studies have contributed to IB, but have failed to build the micro-process bridges that would have united and distinguished the field. The sociology of the field with its dominant positivist research paradigm also has not helped. We propose a multi-method, paradigmatic interplay approach to IB research for building intellectual bridges
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that would draw on the unique demographics of IB researchers and allow the field to be more united and hopefully produce stronger, more relevant research.
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ABSTRACT 16

Toward a perspective of cultural friction in international business

This article introduces a new lens that addresses cultural interaction in global business. Shifting away from viewing culture in terms of its differences, the cultural friction lens captures the nature and magnitude of interaction between the cultural systems engaged in cross-border businesses. In this study we present that (1) cultural distance may not transform into a clash, or yield any meaningful interaction effect, negative or positive, until organizations truly engage in interactions; (2) cultural friction is situation-specific, subject to the influence of drag parameters, such as entry mode (e.g., contract vs. equity; green-field vs. acquisition), workflow interdependence, breath of local stakeholders, speed and stage of international expansion, and depth of localization; and (3) cultural friction can be curtailed through a series of managerial mechanisms, or lubricants, around the points of cross-border contact. We also develop a measure of cultural friction and assess the implications for extant theories as well as for future theory development in international business.
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Assessing cross-cultural marketing theory and research

ABSTRACT 17

A content analysis of 99 articles focuses on the comparative cross-cultural marketing research in 14 leading marketing and business journals from 1990 to 2008. The content analysis indicates strong growth in cross-cultural studies, especially in terms of studies on consumer attitudes and behavior and on promotion-related topics. This study classifies articles according to a series of conceptual (e.g., cultural dimensions employed in the study) and methodological (e.g., use of analytical technique) criteria. Although researchers have advanced in both conceptual and methodological respects, the studies still focus strongly on the dimensions from Hofstede (2001); methodologically, the dominance of two-country studies is problematic. Further, survey data from North America and Europe and researchers based and trained in North America and Europe are still dominant in the research field.
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ABSTRACT 18

A Global Analysis of Corporate Social Performance: the Effects of Cultural and Geographic Environments

As more and more multi-national companies expand their operations globally, their responsibilities extend beyond not only the economic motive of profitability but also other social and environmental factors. The objective of this article is to examine the impact of national culture and geographic environment on firms corporate social performance (CSP). Empirical tests are based on a global CSP database of companies from 49 countries. Results show that the Hofstedes cultural dimensions are significantly associated with CSP. In addition, European companies are found to outperform other regions and countries in CSP.
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Keywords: Corporate social performance, Corporate social responsibility, Cross-cultural comparison, Hofstede cultural dimensions, Cross regional comparison
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ABSTRACT 19

Dynamic cross-cultural competencies and global leadership effectiveness

Analyzing data from a sample of 420 global leaders (matched with 221 supervisors), we found a combined effect of personality characteristics (extraversion, openness to experience, and lower neuroticism) and cross-cultural experiences (organization-initiated cross-cultural work experiences and non-work cross-cultural experiences) as predictors of dynamic cross-cultural competencies (tolerance of ambiguity, cultural flexibility, and reduced ethnocentrism) . These competencies, in turn, are predictors of supervisors ratings of global leadership effectiveness. Our study suggests that developmental cross-cultural experiences occur through both work-related and non-work activities. The results suggest that both selection and development are critical for building a pipeline of effective global leaders.

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How Do European SME OwnerManagers Make Sense of Stakeholder Management ?: Insights from a Cross-National Study

The vast majority of empirical research on stakeholder management has traditionally focused on multinational corporations. Only in recent years, scholars have begun to pay attention to the stakeholder management concept in relation to small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The few existing studies in this area, however, discuss SMEs as a context free c ategory or remain focused on single country analysis. This cross-national empirical research investigates SME owner managers perceptions of stakeholder management in six European countries. The comparative analysis is followed by a discussion of how institutional, cultural and linguistic contexts can influence owner managers sense-making of stakeholder management. Our study questions the universality of specific management terms and proposes that more attention should be paid to the institutional, cultural and linguistic environments that shape economic activity in different parts of Europe. Keywords: Comparative research, Language, National business environments, Sense-making, Smalland medium-sized enterprises, Small business, Stakeholder management
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Homework

Task 11 / page 24

To solve this task I firstly make an optimized version of the abstract andafterwardsIcompareinparallelthe two versions based on the suggested 12 questions.

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Informatia contabila pe pietele de capital

CUVINTE CHEIE: paradoxul profitului, piata financiara, asimetria informationala, guvernanta corporativa, MBO

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Eficienta pieelor financiare este extrem de discutabila in contextul existentei unui mix intre oscilaiile momentane si un anumit ciclu istoric din care pieele financiare IN ROMANIAN nu pot scpa, insa, desi partial predictibila piaa a cunoscut numeroase scandaluri financiare mai mult sau mai putin surprinzatoare. Principalele cauze sunt asimetria informa ional i comportamentul oportunistic al agenilor. Uneori acionarii devin propriile lor victime, prin presiunea pe care o exercit pentru a obine ctiguri imediate, ceea ce srcete viziunea strategic i pune n pericol dezvoltarea pe termen lung a firmei. Susinerea unei logici care recomand reinvestirea profitului sau neutralitatea politicii de dividend ar evidenia perspective neviabile pentru firm i ar ridica un oarecare semn de ntrebare cu privire la sinceritatea managerului. Aceast stare de dezbateri motiveaz pentru a analiza problematica mai profund. Analiza variabilitatii gradului de concentrare a proprietatii si testa rea facilitatilor MBO sunt metodele inovatoare ce evidentiaza solutii si evolutii viabile pentru companii. Se dovedeste de multe ori ca acest fascinant fenomen, paradoxul profitului, este o chestiune de noroc. Manifestarea acestei tematici la nivelul firmei rezida n repartizarea profitului pe destinaii. O firm poate fi profitabil, dar aceasta nu genereaz obligatoriu bogie pentru toi. Asimetria de informaii manifestat ntre acionari, manageri i creditori poate face ca firmele s genereze cash-flow-uri, dar acestea s fie orientate preferential spre anumiti stakeholderi sau beneficii colaterale.

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W R I TI NG

THE OPTI MI ZED

Accounting information on financial market

Financial markets informational efficiency is highly scientifically debatable in the context of the existing mix between momentary oscillations and natural historical IN ENGLISH cycle which restrains financial markets with chains so that no way out can be considered, but nevertheless, despite its partial predictability, the market has experienced numerous, more or less surprising, financial scandals. The main causes are information asymmetry and opportunistic agents behavior (the agency theory is invoked). Sometimes shareholders deceive themselves becoming their own victims, by the pressure they exert in order immediate gains to be achieved, which blurs the strategic vision and compromises long-run development of the company. Asserting a logic which recommends profits reinvestment or dividend policy neutrality would highlight non-viable outlooks for the company and would raise some question marks on managers sincerity. This debating state motivates to more deeply issues exploration. Variability analysis of the propertys concentration degree and MBOs benefits testing constituted the innovative methods which highlighted viable solutions and progress for companies. Often, this fascinating phenomenon, referred as " profit paradox" , has appeared as being a matter of luck - it depends on market turbulences, length of markets tipping points and international trading speed. The implication of this theme at the companys management level lies in profit sharing destinations. A business can be profitable, but it does not necessarily generate wealth for all. The information asymmetry between shareholders, managers and creditors may cause firms to generate cash-flows, but afterwards these ones would be preferentially allotted to certain stakeholders and for collateral benefits.
V ER SI ON

KEYWORDS: profit paradox, financial market, information asymmetry, corporative governance, MBO Comparison between the original and the optimized versions is shown in the following table. To answer the questions, whither the case, I mentioned the text itself.
No 1 2 3 4 5 Question
My draft falls within the required word limit My research is fairly typical of the subfield The number of sentences is appropriate The draft has the expected number of moves I have considered the pros and cons of an opening problematizing move

Original version
315 words Yes 13 sentences 5 moves Yes

Optimized version
248 words Yes 10 sentences 5 moves
shareholders order immediate gains to be achieved (but this fact) compromises long-run development of the company This debating state motivates to more deeply issues exploration.

6 7 8

I have considered whether statement is necessary

purpose

Yes Yes No

I have made sure that the methods move is not too long I have reviewed the main tense options of present (for Moves 1, 2 and 5) and past (Moves 3 and 4) The main findings are sufficiently highlighted

No

Yes
Doctorand: ADRIAN HRINCESCU MANAGEMENT I

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10 % of abstract (23 words, 1 sentence) Yes

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W R I TI NG

10

As for conclusions, I have followed typical practice in my subfield Since my research is unusual, I have considered whether I need to justify the topic and/or the approach in the opening two moves Throughout I have checked whether any acronyms or abbreviations will be understood

Yes

11

Yes

Yes the conclusion is based on typical management practices. Yes. Heres the phrase: historical cycle which
restrains financial markets with chains so that no way out can be considered

12

No acronym, no abbreviations were used.

No acronym, abbreviations used.

no were

The optimized version reduces the words number from 300 down to 249. This means also pretty many words, but counting on the fact the theme has been THE extremely niche-ed and, at that moment, not any Romanian material had OPTIMIZATION been approached the concerned issue, the abstract had to present extensively some new concepts. Moreover, the abstract belong to a dissertation and not to an article; it has sense this abstract to be longer as the usual ones. General background: it is nothing new here, no changes have occurred during last decades. Any financial crisis, even the last one, has nothing new to uncover referring the market mechanisms. Purpose: It is a complex one - a system of forces to be optimized. Therefore it has been wise firstly to present the system of forces and therefore to mention its optimization as being the aim of the research. Methods: nothing is new here as for the methods per se, but the concepts they are applied to are brand new MBO principles and property concentration degree. Results: there are situations when prediction is possible but, even then, a righteous profit distribution is a matter of luck it depends on market turbulences and international trading. The tipping points and turbulence distribution invoke the chaos theory which is the trendiest approach in managerial science research. Comparing with the original version, the optimized version details furthermore the achieved results. Discussions: The profit paradox being confirmed, the discussions extend to the accounting informations tuning so that the financial information to be released in market as a signal that precisely targets certain strategic investors. It is also a question of timing: the signal should be broadcast exactly when the market reaches a tipping point.
A NA L Y SI S

Doctorand:

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