Department of MGT and MKT – 181 Research Day
Thursday November 15
Building 24 Room 273
Political Connections, Perceived Corruption and Financial Performance – Insights from an Emerging Economy
Time 10:00 – 10:30
Abstract
Drawing on insights from institutional theory, non-market strategy and corruption literatures, we propose political connections as an important enabler of financial performance in emerging economies. Specifically, we investigate how and when political connections and corruption drive financial performance by introducing financial slack resource as an important contingency. We test our moderated mediation model using data from 212 new ventures. Our analyses suggest that the relationship between political connections and financial performance may be mediated by perceived corruption, and this relationship is enhanced at high levels of financial slack. We discuss how our findings advance the literature and offer several practical implications for strategic business operations in emerging markets.
Keywords: political connections; new ventures; financial slack, sub-Saharan Africa; corruption; Ghana.
Presenter: Kwabena Frimpong
__________________________________________________________
Corporate Social Responsibility and Firm Performance: A Network Perspective
Time 10:40 – 11:10
Abstract
This study attempts to extend the corporate social responsibility (CSR) literature by investigating the role of CSR engagement in the strategic alliance setting. Specifically, the current research suggests that the partner(s) CSR engagement has a positive impact on the focal firm financial performance. This positive impact is likely a result of reputation spillover, positive signaling, and knowledge transfer the focal firm enjoys from its alliance partners. The current research investigates the proposed relationship at the single alliance level as well as at the portfolio level. Finally, the results show conflicting roles for two types of centrality (i.e., betweenness and degree) in which betweenness increases the impact of the partners’ CSR engagement on the focal firm’s financial performance, while degree centrality decreases that impact.
Keywords: corporate social responsibility, social performance, strategic alliances, network analysis, spillover effects
Presenter: Abdullah Almashayekhi
