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The aim of this paper is to investigate the relationship between global versus regional orientation and the performance of international new ventures (INVs). Building on internalization theory and organizational learning literature, we develop two competing hypotheses on the performance effect of geographic scope on INV performance. We test these hypotheses on a sample of Italian manufacturing INVs. The study extends the regionalization/globalization debate to the context of INVs. Our findings show that INVs mainly operate on a regional, rather than global basis. However, when they succeed in achieving a global reach, the effect on profitability is positive and significant, supporting the hypothesis that global orientation improves firm performance.

   Objective:  to identify the features of strategies of various entities at mesoeconomical level: territorial systems (regions), industries and large corporations (ecosystems) based on a comparative analysis of their structure, key elements and attributes.    Methods:  a structural approach to strategic documents at the macro-, meso- and microlevels, comparative analysis and synthesis, review of theoretical research and practice of strategy formation and implementation.    Results:  the article defines the features of strategy formation at the regional, industry and corporate levels. The author states that the key difference between regional and sectoral strategies is a long planning horizon, while corporate strategies are more often subject to adjustment. The article shows that the strategies of mesoeconomical level entities have a number ofsystemic problems related to their formation and implementation. It was found that due to the variability and turbulence of environmental conditions, the entities at meso-level are forced to constantly adjust their strategies, while corporate strategies, unlike regional and sectoral ones, are not limited by the top-level strategy. The author reveals the shortcomings of interaction and coordination (institutional vacuum) of strategies of macro-, meso- and micro-level entities in terms of coherence and coordination of actions in long-term planning.    Scientific novelty:  it consists in applying a structural approach to the analysis of strategies of meso-level entities, comparing them and identifying common features and differences in approaches to their formation and implementation.    Practical significance:  it consists in the developing applied methods for the formation and implementation of strategies and improving the effectiveness of strategic planning at the mesoeconomical level.

Worldwide, Mediterranean cropping systems face the complex challenge of producing enough high-quality food while preserving the quantity and quality of scarce water for people and agriculture in the context of climate change. While good management of nitrogen (N) is paramount to achieving this objective, the efficient strategies developed for temperate systems are often not adapted to the specificities of Mediterranean systems. In this work, we combine original data with a thorough literature review to highlight the most relevant drivers of N dynamics in these semi-arid systems. To do so, we provide an analysis at nested scales combining a bottom-up approach from the field scale, with a top-down approach considering the agro-food system where cropping systems are inserted. We analyze the structural changes in the agro-food systems affecting total N entering the territory, the contrasting response of yields to N availability under rainfed and irrigated conditions in a precipitation gradient, the interaction between N management and climate change adaptation, the main drivers affecting the release of Nr compounds (nitrate, ammonia, nitric oxide and nitrous oxide) compared with temperate systems and finally, the behavior of N once exported to highly regulated river networks. We conclude that sustainable N management in Mediterranean cropping systems requires the specific adaptation of practices to particular local agro-environmental characteristics with special emphasis on water availability for rainfed and irrigated systems. This approach should also include a systemic analysis of N input into the territory that is driven by the configuration of the agro-food system.

We draw on a social network perspective to explain multinational enterprises’ (MNEs) propensity to distribute their operations unevenly across various regions of the world. We focus on how the positioning of MNEs in their domestic network of strategic alliances affects their geographic scope, i.e., whether they concentrate on their home region or expand beyond it. We theorize that embeddedness in alliance networks constitutes a double-edged sword to the geographic scope of MNEs. Strong embeddedness in domestic alliance networks drives the development of location-bound firm-specific advantages (FSAs), which may narrow down MNEs’ geographic scope. In contrast, moderate embeddedness leads to more non-location-bound FSAs, which reduce liability of foreignness, and hence motivate MNEs to widen their geographical scope. We thus predict a non-linear relationship between domestic alliance network embeddedness and MNE geographic scope. Furthermore, the impact of the domestic alliance network on MNE geographic scope hinges on the organizational ability to efficiently and effectively absorb resources stemming from the network. We test our hypotheses using FDI data from 302 US MNEs in the information and communication technology industry for the period of 2001–2008, and generally find robust support for the hypothesized relationships.

Russia’s transition to innovative development is required to ensure the sustainable competitive growth. At the same time, the share of the high-tech sector in innovation costs today is about 15 %. The study suggests ways to improve the system of innovation management in Russian regions. Analysis of modern theories on the organisation of regional innovation processes confirmed a hypothesis that innovation management should consider the regional innovation ecosystem as one of the key sustainable growth institutions. A proposed ecosystem approach states that regional innovation ecosystems in the context of globalisation depend on the coordinated goals of socio-economic and innovative development, differentiated approaches to their construction, sustainable flows of knowledge and technology, diversity and competition of participants. The research determined such priority directions of the state policy as the recognition of the lack of alternative to innovative development; creation of conditions for high-tech industries outside the established business structures; increase in budget research and development (R&D) expenditures; strengthening of self-organisation of science; stimulation of horizontal interactions between science and business. The presented differentiated approach to innovative strategies of Russian regions considers their production and technological specialisation, as well as the state of science and higher education. A described methodology for selecting the most promising regions for innovative transformations is based on a comparison of the values of the author’s indices for the development of scientific and educational space and high-tech industries. The calculations show that, in addition to Moscow, Moscow oblast and Saint Petersburg that are already at the centre of the country’s innovation system, regions occupying the first 10–15 positions in the constructed rating (Nizhny Novgorod, Sverdlovsk, Novosibirsk oblasts, Republic of Tatarstan, etc.) can also become local innovation centres. The obtained results can be used in the state innovation management of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation.

In circular economy (Ce), the value of products and materials is maintained for as long as possible. What has previously been considered waste is now a resource that can be reused and reintroduced to the production cycle. Therefore, waste management of both technical and bio-based waste streams plays a central role in the transition towards Ce. In bioeconomy, the materials are to a certain extent circular by nature. however, biomaterials may also be used in a rather linear way. according to the european Commission, the transition towards Ce needs to be supported on local, regional and national levels. Thus, to enhance sustainability and get the full potential out of bioeconomy, the Ce principles should be applied to reach bio-based Ce. This paper presents the results of a qualitative assessment that was carried out in Finland, Spain, Slovakia, greece, romania and France. Selected national and regional strategies were identified, compared and analyzed from the perspective of Ce and bio-based Ce. at the time of the study, the added value of Ce was recognized in most of the national and regional level strategies studied, through objectives concerning e.g. waste management or bioenergy. Bio-based Ce was hardly ever included as a term but circularity aspects were referred to for example through bio- waste management. Waste management appears to be the main driver in the transition towards Ce. This is evident also in the case presented from Slovakia. yet, in order for Ce to become an integral part of national and regional policies, a more comprehensive understanding of the Ce mechanisms should be achieved. Supported actions on both small and large-scale are needed. The research is partly an outcome of the ongoing Interreg europe project BIOregIO, where the bio-based circular economy is boosted through a transfer of expertise about best practices, aiming at changing regional policies to support bio-based Ce.

Traditional research suggests a relationship between country-level institutions and the location choices of MNEs. However, more recent theory suggests MNEs also focus on regions (semiglobalization). Therefore, this study examines institutional effects in the context of semiglobalization by considering the influences of three formal institutions (i.e., regulatory control, political democracy, capital investments) of countries and geographic regions on MNEs' location choices of internationalization. We use a sample of Japanese MNEs operating in 45 countries within eight regions. The results show that their degree of internationalization into a country is influenced by both country and regional institutional environments. Additionally, a semiglobalization perspective provides better explanatory power than does the country-level perspective. These results present a new perspective on how MNEs consider institutional environments in their international strategy.

International business research is only beginning to develop theory and evidence highlighting the importance of supranational regional institutions to explain firm internationalization. In this context, we offer new theory and evidence regarding the effect of a region's \"institutional complexity\" on foreign direct investment decisions by multinational enterprises (MNEs). We define a region's institutional complexity using two components, regional institutional diversity and number of countries. We explore the unique relationships of both components with MNEs' decisions to internationalize into countries within the region. Drawing on semiglobalization and regionalization research and institutional theory, we posit an inverted U-shaped relationship between a region's institutional diversity and MNE internationalization: extremely low or high regional institutional diversity has negative effects on internationalization, but moderate diversity has a positive effect on internationalization. Larger numbers of countries within the region reduces MNE internationalization in a linear fashion. We find support for these predicted relationships in multilevel analyses of 698 Japanese MNEs operating in 49 countries within 9 regions. Regional institutional complexity is both a challenge and an opportunity for MNEs seeking advantages through the aggregation and arbitrage of individual country factors.

Regions throughout the world are confronted with the challenge of restructuring their economies when existing growth paths decline. In regional strategies, directions are defined into which their economies shall be developed, thereby constituting a crucial moment for setting the course for future diversification. While considerable progress has been made in retrospectively understanding regional industrial path developments once these have emerged successfully, little attention has been paid to the processes by which regions develop strategies for future diversification. This article argues that in order to understand why a region aims to develop certain economic areas rather than others, this has to be seen in the context of the policymaking process. Based on a case study of the German lignite mining region 'Rheinisches Revier', the paper explores the role played by the configuration of regional policymaking processes, in which regions develop strategies, for the direction of these strategies. The findings highlight that regional strategies have to be understood as the product of a region-specific multi-actor process whose configuration affects the policy outcomes.