Asian Nations and Multinationals (eBook)

Bernadette Andreosso-O’Callaghan is Jean Monnet Professor of Economics at the University of Limerick, Republic of Ireland and International Research Fellow at the Ruhr-University Bochum, Germany.Jacques Jaussaud is Professor of Management at the University of Pau and Pays de l’Adour, France.M. Bruna Zolin is Professor at Ca’ Foscari University, Department of Economics, Venice, Italy.

Acknowledgements 5
Contents 6
Notes on Contributors 9
Abbreviations 15
List of Figures 18
List of Tables 20
Chapter 1 Introduction: Asian Nations and Multinationals—Economic and Human Resource Challenges 22
Abstract 22
References 29
Part I Trade Issues and International Business Strategies 31
Chapter 2 Free Trade Agreements and Responsible Business: Examples from the EU’s Bilateral Agreements in East and Southeast Asia 32
Abstract 32
1 Introduction 33
2 Conceptual and Empirical Approach 35
3 The Origins of ‘Sustainable Development’ in International Trade Negotiations 38
4 The EU’s Three FTAs in Asia: Towards Corporate Social Responsibility 39
4.1 Corporate Social Responsibility in the FTA Texts 40
4.1.1 The EU-Korea FTA 40
4.1.2 The EU-Singapore FTA 41
4.1.3 The EU-Vietnam FTA 42
4.2 Implications for Businesses 43
5 Conclusion 43
References 44
Chapter 3 Control and Coordination of Chinese Subsidiaries in France 48
Abstract 48
1 Introduction 49
2 Coordination and Control of Subsidiaries Abroad: What Does Academic Literature Teach Us? 50
3 Empirical Methodology 53
3.1 The Empirical Field Is France 53
3.2 Sample of Chinese Subsidiaries in France 56
3.3 Interviews 56
3.4 Data Analysis 57
4 Results: How Chinese Companies Keep Control Over and Coordinate Their French Subsidiaries? 57
4.1 Contractual Control Through the Share of Capital That the MNC Retains in a Subsidiary 57
4.2 Control Through Decentralised Decision-Making 59
4.3 Control by Formalising the Subsidiary’s Organisation 60
4.4 Control by International Human Resources 60
5 Conclusion 61
References 63
Chapter 4 Understanding the Evolution of the World Trade Network: An Analytic Network Process Framework 65
Abstract 65
1 Introduction 66
2 Literature Review 67
3 The Evolution of World Trade Network from 1995 to 2013 68
3.1 Research Method and Data Processing 68
3.2 Results of the Analysis 69
3.2.1 Fluctuation of Overall Network Attributes 69
3.2.2 Fluctuation of Nodes Attributes 71
3.2.3 Fluctuation of Nodes Attributes Correlation 74
4 Analysis of Influencing Factors of the World Trade Network Evolution Using QAP Method 75
4.1 Model Specification, Analytical Method and Data Processing 75
4.2 QAP Correlation Analysis 77
4.3 QAP Regression Analysis 79
5 Conclusions and Implications 80
References 82
Part II International Trade, Agriculture, Food Supply and Sustainable Development 84
Chapter 5 EU Enlargement: The Impact on Agricultural and Food Exports from Selected Asian Countries to the EU Market—A Gravity Approach 85
Abstract 85
1 Introduction 86
2 Literature Review 87
3 Methodology 88
3.1 The Model 88
3.2 Data 90
4 Empirical Results 91
4.1 Standard Variables of Gravity Equation 91
4.2 The Impact on Exports of the Selected Asian Countries 92
5 Concluding Remarks 95
Appendix 96
References 97
Chapter 6 Asian Palm Oil Production and European Vegetable Oil Market: What Can We Learn in Terms of Sustainability? 99
Abstract 99
1 Introduction 100
2 Palm Oil Production, Consumption and Trade 101
3 European Vegetable Oil Production, Consumption and Trade 104
4 Palm Oil Sustainability: An Overview 106
5 Vegetable Oil Prices Relationship 108
6 Concluding Remarks 111
References 112
Chapter 7 Does Knowledge Interaction with Universities Enhance Firms’ Innovative Capabilities? 116
Abstract 116
1 Introduction 117
2 Overview of University–Industry Linkages (UILs) in Thailand 118
3 Empirical Evidence from the Thai Food-Processing Firms 122
3.1 Data 122
3.2 Variables and Estimation Method 123
3.2.1 Dependent Variables 123
3.2.2 Independent Variables 123
3.2.3 Estimation Method 124
3.3 Results and Discussion 125
4 Conclusion 130
References 131
Part III Firms and Societies in Asia Facing New Challenges 134
Chapter 8 The Great East Japan Earthquake’s Effects on Electric Power Companies’ Financial Situation 135
Abstract 135
1 Introduction 136
2 Theoretical Context 137
3 Methodology 139
4 Changes in Corporate Finance KPI 141
4.1 Consequences of the Fukushima Earthquake on the Returns of the Sector 141
4.2 Change in Risk or Risk Learning? 143
5 Long-Term Impact on Stock Valuations 146
5.1 The Market Risk-Return Equilibrium 146
5.2 Discussion About the Duration of the Shock Period 148
6 Conclusion 151
References 151
Chapter 9 Impact of the Trump Administration on the Economies of the Greater China Region 153
Abstract 153
1 Introduction 154
2 The “Greater China Region” and China’s Rise in the Context of an Unprecedented Wave of Globalisation 155
3 Stock Market Reactions to Political Events and Policy Uncertainty 160
3.1 Literature Review on the Financial Impact of Political Events and of Political Uncertainty 160
3.2 The Greater China Region 161
3.3 Quantifying the Impact of the New US Administration on the GCR Stock Market Returns 162
4 Impact of the New US Administration on the GCR Real Economy—A New Wave of Protectionism 163
5 Conclusions 167
References 168
Chapter 10 Microfinance in Southeast Asia: The Case of Vietnam Over the Period 2005–2015 172
Abstract 172
1 Introduction 173
2 Understanding Microfinance 173
2.1 The Origins of Microfinance 173
2.2 Delineating the Extent of Microfinance 174
3 “Symbol” Models of Microfinance in the World 174
3.1 The Case of Bangladesh 174
3.2 The Case of India 175
3.3 The Case of Indonesia 176
3.4 The Potential Impact of Microfinance 176
4 Microfinance in Vietnam 176
4.1 Microfinance Institutions 177
4.2 Microfinance Services 178
4.2.1 Microcredit 178
4.2.2 Types of Microsavings 180
4.2.3 Microinsurance 180
4.2.4 Non-financial Services 180
4.3 The Role of the Government in Microfinance 180
4.4 Microfinance Trends 182
5 Lessons from Microfinance in Vietnam 182
5.1 Empowerment of Women 183
5.2 The Challenges of Microfinance 183
6 Conclusion 184
References 184
Chapter 11 Staffing of French MNCs in Asia: The Roles of Long-Term Expatriates Versus Short-Term Assignees 187
Abstract 187
1 Introduction 188
2 Literature and Research Questions Development 189
2.1 Increasing or Decreasing Use of Expatriates? 189
2.2 Role and Functions of Expatriates 191
2.3 The Number of Short-Term Assignees MNCs Send to Their Asian Subsidiaries 192
2.4 Role and Functions of Short-Term Assignees 192
3 Methodology: Data Collection and Analysis 193
4 Results 194
4.1 French MNCs Limit the Extensive Use of Expatriates in Asia, with Some Exceptions 194
4.2 Expatriates Occupy Strategic Roles in Subsidiary Management 196
4.3 French MNCs Widely Use Short-Term Assignments in Asia 197
4.4 French MNCs Assign Operational and Functional Roles to Short-Term Missions 197
5 Discussion 198
5.1 Implications for Human Resources Practice 198
5.2 Implications for Further Research 200
6 Conclusion 201
References 201
Part IV Conclusion 204
Chapter 12 Overall Conclusion of the Book 205
Abstract 205
Index 209