AIB 2012 Conference Proceedings - Academy of International ...

MONDAY
Session: 2.1.3 - Panel
Track: 1 - Institutions, Governance, and CSR
A Global View on Sustainability and CSR
Presented On: July 2, 2012 - 09:00-10:15
Chair: Bodo B. Schlegelmilch, WU Vienna
Panelists:
Bodo B. Schlegelmilch, WU Vienna
Timothy M. Devinney, University of Technology, Sydney
Michael R. Czinkota, Georgetown University
Constantinos N. Leonidou, Leeds University
Verena Gruber, WU Vienna
Constantine S. Katsikeas, Leeds University
Athina Zeriti, Leeds University
In principle, there is broad agreement that governments and corporations should behave in a sustainable
fashion and act socially responsible. However, when taking a more fine grained perspective on sustainability and
CSR, differences abound. Not only is there little agreement on the definitions and dimensions of sustainability
and CSR, there are also different views depending on economic- and social convictions, stages of market
development and stakeholder roles. The sustainability and CSR debate is particularly relevant in an
international context, as diverging opinions frequently relate to different vantage points in terms of geography,
politics, and culture. The failure to strengthen the Kyoto Protocol at Durban in 2011 offers a stark reminder of
the geopolitical nature of the disagreements. This panel aims to advance our thinking and perceptions about the
role of sustainability and CSR from a theoretical, methodological and practical perspective. The unifying
premise: taking a global view on these issues is imperative. (For more information, please contact: Bodo B.
Schlegelmilch, WU Vienna, Austria: bodo.schlegelmilch@wu.ac.at)
Session: 2.1.4 - Competitive
Track: 6 - Innovation and Knowledge Mgmt.
Where is Knowledge in the Global Organization
Presented On: July 2, 2012 - 09:00-10:15
Chair: Shad Morris, Ohio State University
Multi-Country Knowledge Generation: Evolving Parent-Subsidiary Relationships and Global Innovation within
MNCs
Heather K Berry, George Washington University
I examine how more basic relationships associated with product integration can lead to higher level
relationships that involve multi-country innovations within MNCs. I argue that product linkages provide
communication channels, common knowledge and increased visibility that allow foreign subsidiaries to play
increasingly important roles in innovation processes. Results from a dataset combining confidential data on the
worldwide operations of US MNCs from the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) with data on the patents of
these firms from the USPTO reveal that multi-country patenting is significantly related to higher product
integration in MNCs. Overall, this paper emphasizes the importance of evolving parent-affiliate relations in the
global innovation strategies of MNCs, and documents changing patterns in the international patenting of US
AIB 2012 Conference Proceedings
Page 103