Boundary Spanning and Isomorphism Interactions
Abstract
This study explores the relationship between isomorphism, boundary-spanning, institutional restrictions, and procedural congruence. Using fuzzy (set-theoretic) logic and concepts of causal dependence, we aim to clarify the presence of isomorphism on firms designated as protected origins and boundary-spanning. Employing fuzzy (set-theoretic) logic, we analyse the interactions between isomorphism, institutional restrictions, procedural congruence, and boundary-spanning. By investigating causal dependencies, we uncover the underlying mechanisms shaping firms’ interactions within diverse contexts. Our study reveals that isomorphism interactions can be examined through causal (counterfactual) dependence, emphasising their significance. Furthermore, causal dependence can occur without explicit causation, indicating a transitive relationship involving interactions. Isomorphism can serve as a counterexample to causal dependence, maintaining a boundary interaction between contextual factors and institutional constraints. Additionally, causal dependence involving interactions may not necessarily constrain isomorphism, suggesting an intransitive relationship. Isomorphism may also present a facade of conformity when analysed through causal (counterfactual) dependence, highlighting the complexity of these interactions. This research contributes to the literature by examining the relationship between isomorphism and institutional constraints, providing original insights into boundary-spanning and isomorphism. Moreover, our study advances understanding of causal dependence in explaining firm interactions, with implications for international business.
Downloads
References
Andersson, U., Cuervo-Cazurra, A., & Nielsen, B. B. (2020). Explaining Interaction Effects Within and Across Levels of Analysis. In L. Eden, B. B. Nielsen, & A. Verbeke (Eds.), Research Methods in International Business (pp. 331-349). Palgrave Macmillan.
Ashforth, E., Blake;, Gioia, A., Dennis;, Robinson, L., Sandra;, & Treviño, K., Linda. (2008). Introduction to Special Topic Forum: Re-Viewing Organizational Corruption. The Academy of Management Review, 33(3), 670-684. https://doi.org/10.2307/20159430
Bernard, R. (2000). Social Research Methods: qualitative and quantitative approaches. Sage.
Boole, G. (1854). An investigation of the laws of thought, on which we are founded. The mathematical theories of logic and probabilities. Cambridge: MacMillan and Co. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511693090
Boxenbaum, E., & Jonsson, S. (2008). Isomorphism, diffusion and decoupling. In C. Greenwood, R. Oliver, Suddaby;, & K. Sahlin-Andresson (Eds.), The Sage Handbook of Organizational Institutionalism (pp. 78-98). Sage.
Bromley, P., & Powell, W. (2012). From Smoke and Mirrors to Walking the Talk: Decoupling in the Contemporary World. The Academy of Management Annals, 6(1), 483-530. https://doi.org/10.1080/19416520.2012.684462
Caprar, D. V. (2011). Foreign locals: A cautionary tale on the culture of MNC local employees. Journal of International Business Studies, 42(5), 608-628. https://doi.org/10.1057/jibs.2011.9
Caramani, D. (2009). Introduction to the comparative method with Boolean algebra. Sage Publications.
Charlton, W. (1983). Causation and Change. Philosophy, 58(224), 143-160.
Cuervo-Cazurra, A., Andersson, U., Brannen, M., Yoko;, Nielsen, B. B., & Reuber, A., Rebecca. (2020). From the Editors: Can I Trust Your Findings? Ruling Out Alternative Explanations in International Business Research. Palgrave Macmillan. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41267-016-0005-4
DiMaggio, P. J., & Powell, W. (1983). The iron cage revisited: Institutional isomorphism and collective rationality in organizational fields. American Sociological Review, 48(2), 147-160. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0742-3322(00)17011-1
Doz, Y. (2011). Qualitative research for international business. Journal of International Business Studies, 42(5), 582–590. https://doi.org/10.1057/jibs.2011.18
European Commission. (2004). Regulation No 853/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2004. European Commission. http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2004/853/oj
European Commission. (2006). Regulation No No 510/2006 of the European Parliament and of Council of 20 March 2006. European Commission. http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2006/510/oj
European Commission. (2012). Regulation No 1151/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 November 2012. European Commission. http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2012/1151/oj
Eisenhardt, K. (1989). Building Theories from Case Study Research. Academy of Management Review, 14(4), 532-550. https://doi.org/10.2307/258557
Geddes, B. (2003). Paradigms and Sand Castles: Theory Building and Research Design in Comparative Politics. University of Michigan Press. https://doi.org/10.3998/mpub.11910
Gerring, J., & Seawright, J. (2008). Case selection techniques in case study research: A menu of qualitative and quantitative options. Political Research Quarterly, 61(2), 294-308. https://doi.org/10.1177/106591290731307
Givant, S., & Halmos, P. (2009). Introduction to Boolean Algebras. Springer.
Gong, Y., & Janssen, M. (2012). From policy implementation to business process management: Principles for creating flexibility and agility. Government Information Quarterly, 29(1), 561-571.
Greenwood, R., Raynard, M., Kodeih, F., Micelotta, E., & Lounsbury, M. (2011). Institutional Complexity and Organizational Responses. The Academy of Management Annals, 5(1), 317-371. https://doi.org/10.1080/19416520.2011.590299
Gunawan, J., & Rose, E. (2014). Absorptive capacity development in Indonesian exporting firms: How do institutions matter? International Business Review, 23(1), 45-54. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ibusrev.2013.08.005
Gurr, A. (1998). On the Isomorphism, or Lack of It, of Representations. In K. Marriott & B. Meyer (Eds.), Visual Language Theory. Springer. https://doi.org/ https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-1676-6_10
Hackett, S., & Dilts, D. (2008). Inside the black box of business incubation: Study B—scale assessment, model refinement, and incubation outcomes. Journal of Technology Transfer, 33(5), 439-471. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10961-007-9056-9
Halmos, P., & Givant, S. (1998). Logic as Algebra (Vol. 21). The Mathematical Association of America.
Heese, J., Krishnan, R., & Moers, K. (2016). Selective Regulator Decoupling and Organizations’ Strategic Responses. Academy of Management Journal, 59(6), 2178-2204. https://doi.org/10.5465/amj.2015.0446
Hilbert, D. (1902). Mathematical Problems. Bulletin of American Mathematical Society, 8(10), 437-479.
Kenny, D. (1979). Correlation and Causality. Wiley.
Keupp, M., Beckenbauer, A., & Gassmann, O. (2010). Enforcing Intellectual Property Rights in Weak Appropriability Regimes: The Case of de Facto Protection Strategies in China. Management International Review, 50(1), 109–130. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11575-009-0020-9
Krave, S., & Brinkmann, S. (2008). InterViews: Learning the Craft of Qualitative Research Interviewing (Second ed.). Sage Publications
Lewis, D. (1970). Causation. The Journal of Philosophy, 70(17), 556-567.
Lim, W., & Mandrinos, S. (2020). Decoupling in International Business: A Rejoinder on Internationalization and De-inernationalization. Journal of International Business Education, 15.
Locke, E. (2007). The Case for Inductive Theory Building? Journal of Management, 33(6), 867-890. https://doi.org/10.1177/0149206307307636
Maekelburger, B., Schwens, C., & Kabst, R. (2012). Asset specificity and foreign market entry mode choice of small and medium-sized enterprises: The moderating influence of knowledge safeguards and institutional safeguards. Journal of International Business Studies, 43(5), 458–476. https://doi.org/10.1057/jibs.2012.12
Mandrinos, S. (2014). Internationalisation processes of FMCG products: a study of Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) products: the case of feta cheese in Greece (Publication Number 603324) [Empirical, Essex]. Southend on Sea, UK.
Mandrinos, S., & Lim, W. (2023). De-internationalization: An organizational institutionalism perspective. Global Business and Organisational Excellence, 42(3), 58-73. https://doi.org/10.1002/joe.22195
Mandrinos, S., Lim, W., & Liew, L. (2022). De-internationalisation through the lens of Intellectual Property Rights. Thunderbird International Business Review, 64(1), 13–24. https://doi.org/10.1002/tie.22240
Mandrinos, S., & Nik Mahdi, N. M. (2016). Examining Knowledge Gap and Psychic Distance Paradox interdependence: An exploratory inquiry. European Business Review, 28(1), 96-114. https://doi.org/10.1108/EBR-11-2014-0079
Mandrinos, S., Nik Mahdi, N. M., & Liew, L. (2019). Decoupling in International Business. Journal of General Management, 44(4), 220-231. https://doi.org/10.1177/0306307018822591
Meyer, K. (2007). Contextualising organisational learning: Lyles and Salk in the context of their research. Journal of International Business Studies, 38(1), 27-37.
Meyer, W., & Rowan, B. (1977). Institutionalized Organizations: Formal Structure as Myth and Ceremony. American Journal of Sociology, 83(2), 340-363.
Miles, M., & Huberman, M. (1994). Qualitative Data Analysis An expanded sourcebook. Sage Publications Inc.
Oliver, C. (1991). Strategic Responses to Institutional Processes. Academy of Management Review, 16(1), 145-179. https://doi.org/10.5465/amr.1991.4279002
Oxley, J. (1999). Institutional environment and the mechanisms of governance: The impact of intellectual property protection on the structure of inter-firm alliances. Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, 38(3), 283-309. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0167-2681(99)00011-6
Papageorgiadis, N., Cross, A., & Alexiou, C. (2013). The impact of the institution of patent protection and enforcement on entry mode strategy: A panel data investigation of U.S. firms. International Business Review, 22(1), 278–292. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ibusrev.2012.04.005
Patton, M. (1990). Qualitative Evaluation and Research Methods. Sage
Patton, M. (2002). Qualitative research and evaluation methods (third ed.). Sage.
Pfeffer, J., & Salancik, G. (2003). The external control of organizations: A resource dependence perspective. Stanford University Press.
Pfeffer, J., & Salancik, G. (1978). The external control of organizations: A resource dependence perspective. Harper & Row.
Piekkari, R., Welch, C., & Paavilainen, E. (2009). The Case Study as Disciplinary Convention Evidence From International Business Journals. Organizational Research Methods, 12(3), 567-589. https://doi.org/10.1177/1094428108319905
Pierce, S. (1881). On the Logic of Number. American Journal of Mathematics, 4(1), 85-95.
Ragin, C. (1987). The comparative method: Moving beyond qualitative and quantitative strategies. University of California Press.
Ragin, C. (2000). Fuzzy-Set Social Science. University of Chicago Press.
Ragin, C. (2008). Redesigning social inquiry. Fuzzy sets and beyond. University of Chicago Press. https://doi.org/10.7208/chicago/9780226702797.001.0001
Raynard, M. (2016). Deconstructing Complexity: Configurations of Institutional Complexity and Structural Hybridity. Strategic Organisation, 14(4), 315-335. https://doi.org/10.1177/1476127016634639
Regnér, P., & Edman, J. (2014). MNE institutional advantage: How subunits shape, transpose and evade host country institutions. Journal of International Business Studies, 45(3), 275-302. https://doi.org/10.1057/jibs.2013.66
Sakellariou, E., Karantinou, K., & Poulis, K. (2014). Managing the global front end of NPD: lessons learned from the FMCG industry. Journal of General Monogement, 39(2), 61-81. https://doi.org/10.1177/030630701303900204
Scott, R. (1995). Institutions and organizations. Sage Publications.
Scott, R. (2014). Institutions and Organizations: Ideas, Interests and Identities (Forth edition ed.). Sage Publications.
Sobh, R., & Perry, C. (2006). Research design and data analysis in realism research. European Journal of Marketing, 40(11-12), 1194-1209. https://doi.org/10.1108/03090560610702777
Steingart, A. (2023). Axiomatics: Mathematical Thought and High Modernism. The University of Chicago Press.
Suddaby, R., Bitektine, A., & Haack, P. (2017). Legitimacy. Academy of Management Annals, 11(2), 451-478. https://doi.org/10.5465/annals.2015.0101
Tashman, P., Marano, V., & Kostova, T. (2018). Walking the walk or talking the talk? Corporate social responsibility decoupling in emerging market multinationals. Journal of International Business Studies, 50(2), 153-171. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41267-018-0171-7
Thornton, H. (2002). The rise of the corporation in a craft industry: Conflict and conformity in institutional logics. Academy of Management Journal 45(1), 81-101.
Tsai, L. (2007). Solidary groups, informal accountability and local public goods provision in rural China. American Political Science Review, 101(2), 355-372.
Wagemann, C., Buche, J., & Siewert, M. (2015). QCA and business research: Work in progress or a consolidated agenda? Journal of Business Research, 69(7), 2531-2540. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2015.10.010
Welch, C., & Piekkari, R. (2017). How should we (not) judge the ‘quality’ of qualitative research? A reassessment of current evaluative criteria in International Business. Journal of World Business, 52(5), 714-725. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jwb.2017.05.007
Yin, R. (1984). Case Study Research: design and methods. Sage Publications.
Yin, R. (2003). Case Study Research: design and methods (Third ed.). Sage Publications.
Yin, R. (2009). Case Study Research: design and methods (Fourth ed.). Sage Publications.