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Objective: The objective of this paper was to analyze the bidirectional relationship between financial development and economic growth for a dataset of Latin American and Asian developing countries between 2001 and 2019. Method: This research employed an empirical approach to analyze the statistical relationship between financial development and economic growth, by presenting an estimation of a system of simultaneous equations for a panel of Asian and Latin American countries using 3SLS. Main Results: The results presented in this research provided evidence that financial development does not appear to have a significant impact on economic growth, although growth appears to have a significant and positive influence on financial development. Moreover, the results also suggested that regulatory quality and domestic credit directed to the private sector have a positive effect on economic growth, while urbanization and education showed a negative influence on growth. The estimated model also indicated that urbanization has a positive influence on financial development while foreign direct investment presented a negative effect on the development of the financial sector. Relevance / Originality: Most of the research agenda on the topic of finance and growth has focused on identifying correlation or causality between these variables, with little attention given to the simultaneous relationship between them. This is still a clear gap in economic literature. Following this premise, the objective of this paper was to analyze the bidirectional relationship between financial development and growth by estimating a system of simultaneous equations using the Zellner and Theil’s (1962) 3SLS methodology. In this sense, the main contribution will be given empirically, based on data and analysis from emerging countries in Latin America and Asia. The fact that financial development has an influence on growth and growth plays a role on the development of the financial sector indicates a simultaneous relationship between these variables. Another relevant contribution is to update the debate on financial systems and economic development for emerging countries, highlighting institutional aspects and financial cycles. Theoretical / Methodological Contributions: The main contribution of this study is in the empirical strategy, whose results dialogue with part of the literature on the financial system and development presented along the text. That is, this research explored the statistical relationship between economic development and financial development for a sample composed by twenty-two Asian and Latin American emerging countries, using a simultaneous equations model.

Objective: This paper aimed to provide a systematic review of brand identity and understand how literature streams impact the current brand identity frameworks. Method: There are few systematic reviews about this salient topic, and the existing ones have not analyzed how the research in brand identity has evolved in the last 30 years, what have been the leading research streams and gaps, and which future avenues of study could be pursued. To fill this gap, this paper analyzed 67 articles published in 24 leading academic journals (Academic Journal Guide grades 3, 4, and 4*) between 1990 and 2021. Main Results: Five key research streams were identified: brand identity frameworks; consumer behavior; corporate branding; visual brand identity; co-creation. Despite the impressive progress made over the last 30 years, our review points out what we defined as a “middle-age brand identity crisis”, since there is still no convergence among scholars about what brand identity is and what would be its main components. Also, the current research streams uncover concepts and ideas that were not previously included in brand identity frameworks. Relevance / Originality: This study performed a comprehensive systematic analysis of the brand identity literature, highlighting essential recent research not considered by the current brand identity frameworks and connecting it to branding constructs. We also identified that there is still a lack of consensus regarding the brand identity components and dimensions. Theoretical / Methodological Contributions: This paper contributes to the literature by presenting a new framework to shed light on the interactions of brand identity with other branding constructs, proposing that brand identity has a core (brand essence) and extended identity (composed of personality, relationship, symbology, and cultural expressions). A new brand identity taxonomy is also proposed, with complexity and tangibility as its dimensions.

Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze the differences related to work values and attitudes toward the technology of Generation Z in Brazil and Germany. Method: The proposed hypotheses were tested in a survey of 122 Brazilian and German participants. The data were analyzed using t-test and logistic regression models. Main Results: The results present differences between Brazilian and German Generation Z, challenging the literature that analyzes Generation Z as a global generation and reinforcing cultural differences between nationalities. The Brazilian sample presents more instrumental and prestige work values and is more positive and less negative regarding technology than the German sample. Relevance/Originality: The paper’s contribution provides evidence of Generation Z’s differences according to nationalities relevant to shaping their relationship with work and technology. The analysis of both constructs is interesting nowadays because of their interrelationship and the current changes in global work boundaries. Theoretical/Methodological Contributions: The literature predominantly presents that Generation Z is a global generation. Comparing participants from two countries with different levels of development provides an insight into their differences regarding work values and attitudes, which can be valuable for business management literature. Practical/Social Contributions: Recommendations for businesses are provided to improve attraction and retention strategies to tackle the shortage of skilled workers. This implies management strategies for firms with multicultural teams.

Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze the differences related to work values and attitudes toward the technology of Generation Z in Brazil and Germany. Method: The proposed hypotheses were tested in a survey of 122 Brazilian and German participants. The data were analyzed using t-test and logistic regression models. Main Results: The results present differences between Brazilian and German Generation Z, challenging the literature that analyzes Generation Z as a global generation and reinforcing cultural differences between nationalities. The Brazilian sample presents more instrumental and prestige work values and is more positive and less negative regarding technology than the German sample. Relevance/Originality: The paper’s contribution provides evidence of Generation Z’s differences according to nationalities relevant to shaping their relationship with work and technology. The analysis of both constructs is interesting nowadays because of their interrelationship and the current changes in global work boundaries. Theoretical/Methodological Contributions: The literature predominantly presents that Generation Z is a global generation. Comparing participants from two countries with different levels of development provides an insight into their differences regarding work values and attitudes, which can be valuable for business management literature. Practical/Social Contributions: Recommendations for businesses are provided to improve attraction and retention strategies to tackle the shortage of skilled workers. This implies management strategies for firms with multicultural teams.

Objective: This article presents the process data research approach as an opportunity to improve management studies and to create a roadmap for beginners. Process research is a sidelined way to conduct qualitative studies. The fundamental concern of the process approach is to capture and apprehend the meanings attributed to organizational phenomena directly in the field of research, aiming to understand and answer the questions of ‘how’ and ‘why’ events change over time. Method: This study reviews selected recent research on innovation management that used process research criteria (temporal orientation, units of analysis, sample, data, analytical strategies, and conceptual products) as the backdrop. Main Results: The main result of this paper is the creation of a roadmap for applying the process research approach. Also, it highlights elements of improvement for management studies from the process data approach. Relevance / Originality: This study provides several examples of qualitative process research in innovation. The proposed roadmap helps increase the rigor and uses of this research approach. Theoretical / Methodological Contributions: We offer an academic discussion on process research’s role in improving (innovation) management studies.

Objective: This paper has the purpose to discuss how corporate networks’ big linkers constitute a development opportunity area in Latin America. Method: We employ a qualitative analysis that blends social networks literature and builds on interlocking directorates (IntDs) theory with a fascinating case study labeled the ‘Patient 31’ phenomenon that occurred during the coronavirus outbreak in South Korea. Main results: We generate managerial and conceptual insights on the diffusion processes of business practices, which have a series of profound implications for theory and practice on how corporate networks present differences in their diffusion ability. Relevance/Originality: Viral contagion processes are not a secret for health sciences, but they are still underresearched in the context of managerial practices regarding diffusion processes. The COVID-19 virus has been (and is) a significant threat for global health since the beginning of 2020, as well as an operational challenge for almost every organization around the world. Theoretical/Methodological contributions: The results highlight the superspreaders’ high diffusion power, warn about the risks of including ‘Patient 31’- type of spreaders as members of the firms’ boards, and also provide recommendations on how policy makers could harness this diffusion ability over the organizational networks.

Objective: This paper aimed to discuss how blockchain technology would incorporate several changes in the fishery supply chains, in order to make them more reliable and sustainable. Method: This is a qualitative study, using an exploratory method with descriptive approach. In addition, the literature review in this study presents theoretical contributions regarding utility. Main Results: The study highlights the importance of incorporating blockchain features into seafood supply chains, which are currently fragmented and lack of real-time information, focusing on its traceability potential to leveraging fishery supply chains operations and outcomes. It identifies a sequence of strategic checkpoints that provide real-time information by using blockchain in fishery supply chains. Relevance / Originality: This manuscript presents a diagram of a seafood supply chain considering how blockchain allows the data gathering in each stage in order to provide traceability to the supply chain. Hence, the study serves as a map, as well as a model, for upcoming research on how to understand the incorporation of technology into supply chains stages. Theoretical / Methodological Contributions: Supply chains support international business operations. Furthermore, as digital revolution moves aggressively forward, supply chains need to adapt to it in order to fit for the new stakeholders’ expectations. This study uses sustainable supply chain management and blockchain technology as positioning literature. Management Contributions: The study provides an overview of how fishery supply chains would work by incorporating blockchain technology, which extends the literature about sustainable supply chain management and proposes paths for actions for policymakers in order to make them improve the business ecosystem. This study implies a practical contribution to global value chain perspective and the discipline of business.

Purpose – The objective of this research was to statistically compare employee’s use of sources of guidance (SOGs) at work in the United States and Brazil and discuss results in the light of differences concerning national cultural characteristics. Method – 220 employees from a Brazilian university and 166 employees from an American university filled out a paper-and-pencil questionnaire. Pearson correlation tests (r) and Student t tests were run in order to investigate statistically significant differences between the two samples, which were discussed in the light of national cultural characteristics. Main results – Americans presented significant higher means than Brazilians on Informal Rules and People Outside Organization, and Brazilians presented significant higher mean than Americans on Formal Rules and Procedures. The discussion showed that some of these differences are compatible with national culture characteristics. Relevance/Originality – Recognizing the importance and the role of national cultures on individual’s attitudes and behavior within the organizational environment is fundamental in the search for effective and contextualized management practices. Theoretical/methodological contributions – Up until 2020, only 12 theoretical-empirical studies about SOGs were developed. Hence, the present study theoretically and empirically contributes to knowledge about this very important work-related construct. Social/management contributions – The results suggest to managers, human resource professionals, and psychologists important differences in the attitudes of American and Brazilian employees with respect to the use of sources of guidance at work, contributing, for instance, to recruitment and selection processes in multinationals.

Purpose: To review the literature that uses institutional theory to examine the internationalization of smaller and entrepreneurial firms, covering the period from January 1, 2008 to September 30, 2020. Method: The bibliometric review uses the bibliographic coupling technique and content analysis. Main Findings: The literature was divided in three periods using bibliometric techniques, and the main themes examined in each period were identified and analyzed qualitatively. Relevance /Originality: Only one previous literature review examined the same issue addressed in this paper, but only covered articles published up to 2008 (Szyliowicz & Galvin, 2010). Theoretical Contributions: The study uncovers the thematic structure of the field throughout the period examined and suggests issues for future research.

Objectives of the study: to demonstrate the methodological gaps in empirical work that use structural models in the area of International Business, and prescribe complementary methods to mitigate the problem of collinearity Method: a simulation was developed to evidence the effects of collinearity with respect to the importance and significance of predictors, and actions aimed at controlling the undesired effects of collinearity was developed Main results: the proposition of complementary methods that include grouping the latent variables that present multicollinearity into a second-order model, and the use of the technique that shows the relative importance of predictors Theoretical and methodological contributions: the contribution is based on the complementary methods offered for the academic community to conduct empirical research that are laid out by the findings of this research paper Relevance and originality: from the gaps pointed out in the recent scientific production of the field of knowledge of international business, complementary methods are presented to mitigate the problem of collinearity, which may render the results of empirical studies invalid Social contributions and management: among the main managerial and social implications achieved through our findings of, we stimulate the development of robust, relevant and reliable empirical research

Purpose: The study proposes a conceptual framework on how institutions influence risk and uncertainty. Beyond the nuances in defining the concepts in the existing literature, the role of institutions in shaping risks and uncertainties remains understudied. This paper adopts the new institutional economics (NIE) perspective to revisit the concepts of risk and uncertainty and provide a deeper reflection about its interactions with formal and informal institutions. Method: Our conceptual model is based on four propositions that support a theoretical explanation about the relationships between institutions and uncertainties, institutions and risks, and uncertainties and risks. Findings: While formal institutions have a primary role in reducing uncertainties, informal institutions can be seen as a source of risk. These findings imply firms’ strategic decisions. In this regard, we also provide a research agenda for future empirical studies in the area. Originality/value: The study highlights the importance of institutions for companies to deal with risk and uncertainties. The institutions have a primary role in defining the “known part” of the uncertainty, allowing the companies to evaluate the different scenarios for decision-making. Theoretical/Methodological Contributions: This study differentiates risk and uncertainty interaction according to institutional theory. Additionally, we offer an academic discussion of how formal and informal institutions can shape risks and uncertainties.

Objective: To evaluate the influence of external knowledge absorbed on the potential to innovate of multinational companies (MNCs), in the genetically modified (GM) seed sector from 2000 to 2018. Method: A quantitative approach was applied. Data was composed of the main patents filed by MNCs in the GM seed sector, collected from the Espacenet database, the MNCs’ annual reports, and the INPI database. Variables were analyzed using panel regression model. Main results: Results showed that the MNCs’ own resources, as well as the external knowledge absorbed were individually significant. The Interactive variable was not significant in the model. Relevance/ Originality: In addition to addressing literature gaps related for instance to the need to investigate the factors that influence the generation of innovation in multinationals, the present study focused on the agricultural biotechnology sector, which is of paramount importance for the innovations generated in agriculture. Theoretical contributions: This study contributes by filling literature gaps related to the need to understand how important is the influence of the external knowledge and resources to the innovative capabilities of MNCs. Social contributions: This paper helps managers be conscious of the fact that innovation is not only developed internally, involving the MNC’s own network, but in fact, innovation requires relationships with other companies, allowing the access of external knowledge and resources.