AIB 2012 Conference Proceedings - Academy of International ...

SUNDAY
The purpose of this paper is to develop a marriage metaphor model for the sociocultural integration in
international mergers and acquisitions (M&As) based on a critical review and integration of the literature on the
topic. M&As are often referred to as "marriages" between organizations. Building on this metaphor, the
forwarded model suggests that the sociocultural integration process consists of three interrelated phases: the
dating, mating, and creating periods. Extant research focuses primarily on the pre-M&A contingency and post-
M&A process periods, which correspond to the dating and creating phases, respectively, and treats these
research streams in relative isolation. This paper attempts to integrate these streams of research in the contexts
of both organizational and national cultures, and further sets out to shed light onto the third, under-researched
closing period, which corresponds with the mating phase in the forwarded model. In so doing, this paper
aspires to conceptualize a more encompassing and inclusive model in order to gain a better understanding
about the sociocultural integration process in M&As. Practical and scholarly implications of this perspective are
discussed. (For more information, please contact: Daniel Rottig, Florida Gulf Coast University, USA:
drottig@fgcu.edu)
Clusters and Regional Management Structures of French Multinational Companies in Asia
Johannes Schaaper, Bordeaux Management School
Bruno Amann, University of Toulouse III
Jacques Jaussaud, University of Pau
Recent literature suggests that multinational companies (MNCs) pursue regional rather than global strategies.
Regionalisation of MNCs has key implications for regional structures and organization. This contribution
investigates the regional management centres that French MNCs set up in Asia, considering two research
questions. First, do French MNCs divide Asia into clusters Second, what kind of regional management
structures French MNCs set up in Asia to fit their regional strategies This study develops five hypotheses from
prior literature and then tests them through interviews with 77 expatriated managers of subsidiaries of 47
French MNCs located in 10 Asian countries. One-third of the sample clusters the Asia-Pacific region into
homogeneous sub-regions, where they locate regional management centres with important functions and roles.
This regional strategy depends on the size of the MNC and its sales in Asia; production localisation does not
influence regional strategies. Smaller MNCs, even if most of their sales occur in Asia, still centralise regional
decisions and control procedures at headquarters. (For more information, please contact: Johannes Schaaper,
Bordeaux Management School, France: jan.schaaper@bem.edu)
A Multilevel Investigation of Promoting Performance in Cross-National R&D Teams
Chung-Jen Wang, National Cheng Kung University
Chin Pin Li, National Cheng Kung University
Integrating leader-member exchange theory (LMX) and creativity research, we theorized about and
demonstrated, through 2 multilevel field studies, the pivotal role of creativity in translating organizational unit
support for LMX, team efficacy, and intrinsic motivation into job performance. Using structural equation
modeling (SEM) and hierarchical linear modeling (HLM) analyses, we plan to collect cross-national samples
based on 3-level data from members in different R&D teams within separate work units in the United States and
Taiwan. First, this research will study the support (high LMX) from a higher organizational level (unit or branch),
the effect of team-efficacy from a lower organizational level (team), and individual intrinsic motivation through
the mediating role of individual creativity to job performance. Second, individual creativity mediated the
interactive moderation effects of unit support (high LMX), team-efficacy and team member creativity on
individual performance. Finally, we will discuss the research schedule and anticipated results of the
transnational research. (For more information, please contact: Chung-Jen Wang, National Cheng Kung
University, Taiwan: wchungzen@gmail.com)
AIB 2012 Conference Proceedings
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