RIEB, Kobe University

Workshop on M&A, Expatriation and Performance Impact (Jointly supported by: Kanematsu Seminar)

Date&Time	Tuesday, November 14, 2017, 10:00am-3:00pm
Place	Seminar Room at RIEB (Kanematsu Memorial Hall, 1st Floor)
Intended Audience	Faculties, Graduate Students and People with Equivalent Knowledge
Language	English
Note	Copies of the paper will be available at Office of Promoting Research Collaboration.

10:00am-11:00am

Speaker	Kieth JACKSON
Speaker/Affiliation	SOAS, University of London / Graduate School of Business, Doshisha University
Topic	Integration and Synergy Generation in Cross Border Acquisitions: A Case Study of Business Failure and Success 'Made in Japan'
Abstract	This paper advances international business researcher and practitioner insights into processes of cross-border mergers and acquisitions. Specifically, this paper highlights the extent to which processes of strategic integration might impact positively and / or negatively on the long term business performance of the newly formed firm during the post-acquisition period – a measure of performance we refer to here as 'synergy'. In methodological terms, this article develops a mixed-method case study approach, generating, analysing and interpreting empirical data designed to illustrate processes of strategic integration implemented by senior managers at a Japanese firm, Nippon Sheet Glass (NSG), after its acquisition of a UK firm, Pilkington. The case study is longitudinal, drawing on quantitative and qualitative data gathered and analysed between 2006 and 2017. Applying a combination of event study methodology to an iterative analysis of business performance data along with coded analysis of data from in-depth interviews with key stakeholders, this paper illustrates how strategic integration can both 'fail' in terms of achieving synergy and - for a number of generalizable reasons proposed in this article - ultimately 'succeed'.

11:00am-12:00pm

Speaker	Heriberto RUIZ-TAFOYA
Affiliation	Graduate School of Economics, Kyoto University
Topic	Corporate Packaged Food in Slums: Market and Meanings in The Philippines
Abstract	This paper describes the importance of Corporate Packaged Food (CPF) in the consumption routines of slum households, highlighting the meanings that those products have for women of different ages and different family roles in the slums of Manila (The Philippines). The main research assumption is that the action of acquiring, receiving or consuming CPF implies a simultaneous material or physical and immaterial or symbolic experiences. These are two simultaneous spheres, one the one hand, the sphere of market and on the other hand, the sphere of meanings. In methodological terms, this article develops a qualitative study using a semi-structured interview approach, thus, generating, analysing and interpreting empirical data designed to show the spheres of market and meanings in three different types of Manila's slums: dump slum, river side slum, and overcrowded slum. For this longitudinal survey, 61 women of 30 different slum households were interviewed multiple times during two periods of field research: March to April and August to September 2016.

1:00pm-2:00pm

Speaker	Wenlong MA
Affiliation	Graduate School of Business, Doshisha University
Topic	Expatriate Manager Selection: Case Studies of Chinese Small- and Medium-sized Enterprises Investing in Strategic Alliances Abroad
Abstract	China has been developing fast in the international business stage, both as a market for incoming foreign direct investment (FDI) as a source of globally directed FDI. Some foreign investments or projects require support for management or technology from the parent (headquarter) company. In response, selecting and dispatching expatriate managers ('expats') has become an inevitable and growing trend, which can be a great challenge to the companies. A review of international business and management literature suggests a comparatively high failure rate – an outcome that causes both direct and indirect financial loss to the companies and potential threats to health and safety of the expatriates themselves. Thus, sending out the right people and applying prevention methods toward the possible risks is a strategic necessity. Much literature focuses on the challenges of expat selection from the perspective of large companies, focusing on Western-based multinational enterprises (MNEs). This research is significant in that it focuses on the challenges faced by small- and medium-sized enterprises based in China as they select expat managers in order to add value to their investments abroad. Drawing on data from in-depth interviews with Chinese managers and owners of SMEs, this research offers recommendations to both managers and researchers facing challenges of expat manager selection.

2:00pm-3:00pm

Speaker	Keith JACKSON
Affiliation	SOAS, University of London / Graduate School of Business, Doshisha University
Topic	Evaluating the Impact of Training on Staff Performance in International Non-Governmental Organizations and International Non-Profit Organizations
Abstract	Training is one of the factors that helps employees to improve their knowledge and skills and, by extension, their performance. Training helps employees to adapt easily to different situations and have high performance. The main objective of this research is to understand the evaluation of training impact on staff performance in International Nongovernmental Organizations (INGOs) and International Non-profit Organizations (INPOs), focusing on organizations operating in developing countries. This research draws on data from an on-line survey (n = 80) followed by in-depth interviews (n = 20) with managers in selected INGOs and INPOs. Results show that training has positive impact on staff performance regardless of the type of organization; however, INGO / INPO managers appear generally un aware of how they might evaluate the impact of training impact on staff performance. Furthermore, However, certain generalizable organizational factors appear to either positively or negatively impact staff performance after training. The results of this research can help managers in INGOs and INPOS become more aware of the importance of evaluating training impact and consider organizational factors that impact on staff performance during the evaluation process.