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Our paper revisits one of the fundamental questions of International Business (IB) scholarship, investigating the ways through which multinational enterprises (MNEs) establish legitimacy when entering a foreign market. We address this question in a novel context of Central and Eastern European (CEE) firms venturing into Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), employing a multiple case study approach. We investigate the process of legitimacy formation by Polish firms entering SSA for market-seeking reasons. We find that the firms studied use their initial liabilities of foreignness, outsidership, and origin as starting points for pragmatic, moral, and cognitive legitimacy-building by developing narratives that neutralize the distance between themselves and important local stakeholders. Our findings contribute to an understanding of the contingent nature of 'liabilities' in IB literature and shed light on the role of narratives in the internationalization process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The term internationalization has been mainly used to show the expansion of economic activities of firms outside of their home country where they aim at capturing a bigger market. The Central and Eastern Europe region has gone through a process of market transition over the past few decades, yet the business internationalization process has played an important role in the states' economies. The aim of this paper is to analyze the firm internationalization process in the new member states and the Western Balkans countries and gain a better understanding of the process and its course over time. Due to different geopolitical circumstances, the Western Balkan countries did not attract as many investors as much as the EU member states in CEE did that have had a constant flow of investments once they were members of the EU. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses research into international businesses centered in Central and Eastern Europe. Much of this has focused on theories such as transaction cost economics, agency theory, and institutional perspectives. Articles in this issue analyze the dynamic processes in transitional economies. Each papers analyze different aspects of transition that businesses must go through to fully internationalize themselves. Several researchers found that positive emotions were the key to increasing a Dutch firm's chances of internationalization. Another showed the rough entry of several Swedish firms into the Russian marketplace.

Pollution and globalization are current challenges for Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), especially in the context of negative effects of globalization on environment. The aim of this paper is to assess the impact of globalization index on CO2 emissions in the CEE countries that joined the EU in the period 2005-2021. The results based on a panel data approach with DOLS/FMOLS estimators confirm the hypothesis that globalization enhances pollution in this region, but a non-linear relationship was validated between CO2 emissions and globalization index. After reaching a maximum level, the CO2 emissions begin to decrease, while globalization enhances. On the other hand, economic freedom and electricity prices in household consumers had a positive impact on pollution. Renewable energy consumption has the capacity to reduce pollution, while higher electricity prices for non-household users discourage economic activities, which contribute to environmental protection. These empirical findings could support policy proposals to reduce pollution in this region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study aims to answer the question of how the motives for internationalization of leisure sports companies can be understood through the example of international running events. We present the phenomenon of globalisation and internationalisation as a context of leisure sports, linking the conceptual frameworks of leisure sports and international business (IB). The paper highlights the characteristics of leisure sports companies in the process of internationalization. More specifically, we examined the global business trends of marathons, with particular attention of event organizers in the Central-Eastern European (CEE) region in our preparatory study. Data about experiences, entry fee, international communication and sponsorship were collected from the eight most significant CEE marathons and two semi-structured interviews were done with event organizers. Our main findings reveal that market seeking and strategic asset seeking motives are dominant in the case of CEE marathon organizers with a notable distinction between short term and long term perspectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to shed light on firm-specific drivers that lead firms to internationalise their innovation activities. The paper paints a comprehensive picture of driving forces by including firm capabilities, characteristics of the firm's competitive environment and the influence of innovation obstacles in the home country. In particular the influence of potential driving forces on the probability to carry out different innovative activities abroad is assessed (R&D, design/conception of new products, manufacturing of innovative products and implementation of new processes). In a second stage these driving forces are observed with regard to their impact on the decision to locate innovation activities in various countries and regions (China, Eastern Europe, Western Europe and North America) as well as in groups of countries with similar levels of knowledge ('country clubs'). The analysis is based on the Mannheim Innovation Panel survey which represents the German CIS (Community Innovation Survey) contribution. Two survey waves have been combined, resulting in a sample of about 1,400 firms. The results show that the decision to perform innovation activities abroad is mainly driven by organisational capabilities such as absorptive capacities, international experience and existing technological competences of the respective firm. Innovation barriers at the German home base such as lack of labour and high innovation costs prompt the set-up of later-stage innovation activities abroad while the lack of demand demonstrates a barrier to the internationalisation decision for the development and manufacturing of new products. Location decisions receive the strongest influencing effects from the international experience of the firm. Firms which innovate in developing countries seem to require a more extensive level of international experience through international R&D cooperation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The analysis of the influence of globalization on the insurance and reinsurance markets of Eastern Europe confirms its significant importance in directing it towards steady increase, reflecting global trends. Special attention in this paper has been dedicated to the new thriving market in the insurance and reinsurance business as a basic indicator of market globalization with special attention to Eastern Europe. Namely, the business environment in Eastern Europe is especially dynamic and complex regarding the phase of altering its social-economic system. The research in this paper covers analysis of insurance and reinsurance markets of Eastern Europe with special attention on this market in the Republic of Slovenia, the Republic of Croatia and the Republic of Serbia from 2000 to 2008. The subject of this research is an overview and analysis of the reflexive relationship between the insurance and reinsurance markets of Eastern Europe and the globalization processes on both micro and macro levels. The main goal of the research is to obtain specific results about the intensity and direction of the influence of globalization processes on the course and direction of development of the insurance and reinsurance markets of Eastern Europe on the one hand, and changes in the insurance and reinsurance markets of Eastern Europe on globalization processes on the other. The basic hypothesis of this research is that there is a distinctive and strong reflexive relationship between the globalization processes and the conditions and state of the insurance and reinsurance markets of Eastern Europe. The applied methodology during the research includes analyses and synthesis methods. The research results undoubtedly confirm the significance of the relationship between globalization trends and changes in the insurance and reinsurance markets of Eastern Europe, hence providing a found and background for further research in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the degree of the penetration of foreign banks in the banking system of some countries in Central and Eastern Europe, with special reference to Romania. This is done using two significant indicators, such as: the share of foreign banks in the total of the banks in a country and the share of foreign bank assets in the total bank assets in a country. It will also analyze the global character of the activity of foreign banks in Romania and their international character, with the focus on how these two aspects have evolved over time. This will be achieved by analyzing the indicator: FOREIGN claims of BIS reporting banks towards Romania. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Purpose — The purpose of this paper is to explore how selected fast-moving consumer goods markets in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) have developed since the opening of CEE and what market structures have emerged since then. Particular attention is paid to the role of Western multinational corporations (MNCs) as drivers of globalization in this market-reshaping process. Design/methodology/approach — Based on household panel data the dissemination of international brands is analyzed in four product categories and four countries of the region. In addition, the question of whether the level of economic development of countries or the product character has an impact on the penetration levels of international brand is examined. Findings — The outcomes of this retrospective study furnish evidence for the globalization of fast-moving consumer goods markets in CEE. Although the level of diffusion of international brands varies by product category and country, the strong influence of Western MNCs in the shaping of market structures can be documented. The findings also mirror the predominantly-employed marketing and brand strategies of foreign MNCs in CEE, namely internationally-integrated as well as multi-tier brand strategies. Research limitations/implications — The data provides only a snapshot of the situation in selected consumer goods markets in the region. In order to obtain a fuller picture of the extent of market globalization, the market share of international brands should be complemented by additional data on purchase and usage behavior. Originality/value — The paper contributes to the current discussion of the market globalization thesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globalisation is a process that brings advantages and disadvantages to all states, regardless of their stage of development. The relative deprivation, especially the financial one, of the developing countries is a reason of frustration, which motivates the emigration decision; hence our orientation to alter-globalism. In this paper, I intend to highlight by means of analysis, synthesis, deduction, induction, and statistic data, the causes and types of migration in Romania's case, one of the main European countries where the immigrants originate from. We will see how globalisation manifests itself in a twofold manner in the economy and the society of a developing country, just like migration. We will show why a poor country is avoided by immigrants and deserted, as a result of immigration, by its own population, while, just like the developed states, it is likely to face the same demographic, economic and social problems, considering that the process of demographic transition is already manifested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – In the global economy, managers of organizations are constantly innovating with their use of available supply chain management tools. Some tools, like strategic planning and customer segmentation, have gained strong global acceptance while others are less universal. The paper aims to focus the contribution on the organizational factors that predict firm usage of supply chain management tools in two Eastern Europe countries, Slovenia and Croatia, while also comparing them to the global use of similar management tools. Design/methodology/approach – This research provides an empirical analysis of supply chain management tool usage from a survey of 155 firms in Slovenia and 185 firms in Croatia while also comparing these findings to results from a global Bain & Company survey. Findings – The 25 most commonly used supply chain management tools in the Eastern European survey were found to be relatively similar to those used across Europe and North America. However, further analysis of five selected tools reveals important differences. Evidence is found to support that particular organizational factors have a significant influence on supply chain management tool usage, of specific importance is the education level of the organization manager. Originality/value – The findings are useful for business practice in understanding the influences of organizational factors on supply chain management tool usage. Also, the research is original as previous management literature has not provided a similar approach to researching management tools and their usage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Initially triggered in the USA and generated by the chaos in the financial system of the country, the economic crisis has spread in Europe and, thanks to globalization, as a domino effect has spread around the world. Although the first part of 2008 South East Europe has lived with the belief that the countries in this region will be immune to the crisis, since September 2008, the situation has changed notably in these states. The purpose of this study is to describe the issues related to the economic crisis and its impacts on South-Eastern European countries. The first part of the study highlights economic and financial crisis origins, while in the second part the effects of the global crisis are presented and the last part states about implications of the crisis in South-Eastern Europe states. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyzes the effects of globalization on social protection expenditures in European countries. The particular focus is on (a) the Eastern European countries and (b) on differences in globalization effects between welfare regimes. We find evidence in favor of the compensation hypothesis in Western Europe which is driven by the conservative welfare regime, outweighing the efficiency effect of globalization in the social-democratic welfare regime. In Eastern European countries the efficiency effect is predominant. No globalization effect is found for the liberal and the southern welfare regimes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Internationalisation processes have been a core interest of international business research since the seminal contribution by Johanson and Vahlne (1977). The unique context of economic transition in CEE directs the attention to dynamic aspects of these processes, and to the interaction with changing environmental conditions. This introductory paper reviews the contributions of recent CEE research, and this special issue in particular, to advance our understanding of internationalisation processes. Key Results Research in this special issue advances the IP model by exploring concepts of "opportunity creation", "discovery", "emotions" and "subsidiary roles". Future research on these concepts, as well as on the interaction of internationalisation processes of firms and their networks, may further enhance our understanding of internationalisation. In addition to the dominant theories, contextual organization theory and new economic sociology may provide appropriate foundations for process-oriented research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper contributes to the debate on the social impact of globalization. It focuses on the mediating role of the sectoral pattern of transnational production relocation to the postcommunist economies of Eastern Europe. We argue that the collapse of the socialist heavy industries and the eastward relocation of traditional light industries initially forced the social conditions of the East European countries to converge at the bottom and deepened the gap between the West and the East. Later, the eastward migration of high-skilled labor and capital-intensive industries and jobs led to decreasing social disparity between the West and some of the former socialist countries. However, convergence appears uncertain, costly, and uneven, and coincides with increasing social disparity within the group of East European new members and candidates of the European Union. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Innovation management is affected by culture and this influence exists because culture can promote a better or worse innovative environment. This study aims to examine the relationships between the different national culture dimensions presented by Hofstede and innovation data by selected Eastern European countries to analyze which characteristics of national culture dimensions contribute to the improved innovation adoption. In order to shed light on the understudied relationship between national culture and innovation this study conducted an analysis of the relationship between Hofstede's national culture dimensions and the Global Innovation Index in selected countries. Higher values of long term orientation, individualism and uncertainly avoidance have a positive impact on innovation. On the other hand, the proposed relationship between power distance and innovation as well as masculinity and innovation were not confirmed and require further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents information on the book "Eastern Europe and the World Economy: Challenges of Transition and Globalization," edited by Iliana, Zloch-Christy. This book is comprised with twelve research papers investigating various problems of transition in Eastern Europe in comparison to the global world economy. The book, on a whole, develops a framework of the world economy and of Eastern Europe, considering industrial governance structures and the political economy of the U.S. Researchers have provided an analysis of Chinese and Polish privatization in comparison to privatization in Eastern Europe and the second fundamental theorem of welfare economics.

This paper focuses on the distinctive features of a particular type of geographical name, referred to as commemorative place names: e.g. Bat'ov, Gottwaldov, Frunze, Leningrad, or Stalingrad. These features are illustrated with primarily Czech toponymic material, presented in comparison to Slovak, Russian, Yugoslav, and Bulgarian place names. Commemorative names display several specific and distinctive features as a consequence of their dependence on political regimes and ideologies. These features include the domination of naming above other onymic functions and the elevation of naming to a symbolic act; instability, manifested in frequent changes and renamings; high ideological value, reflected in the importance of equivalence between the place and its name; and certain difficulties involved in using such place names in everyday communication. These distinctive features could be considered compelling reasons for the establishment of a specific type of geographical name, termed "commemorative place names." [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The process of change from a centrally planned system to a market economy generates an institutional framework that is only partially reformed, and therefore inconsistent and unstable. This leads to high transaction costs for economic agents. Multinational enterprises entering transition countries have to adapt their strategies to the local institutions and reduce exposure to highly imperfect markets. This paper analyzes how the costs of organizing business in transition environments influence entry mode choice. The empirical results show that host country institutions in transition economies, have an impact on the choice of entry modes. Moreover, different mechanisms determine the internalization of managerial and technological knowledge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Central and Eastern Europe have a special place in the new multipolar world order, shaped by the influence of the European Union, the United States of America, People’s Republic of China, and the Russian Federation. To understand the European perspective in the rules-based international order, the geopolitical trajectory of the region and its status in international law should be discussed with regard to the whole scope of historical, political, economic, and ecological issues. The hybrid globalization process includes divisions and armed conflicts initiated for the sake of far-reaching global interests. Central and Eastern Europe today, after the Russian aggression against Ukraine, is turned into a frontline of the conflict between the global East and West. Russian militarism, predictably dangerous and insidious, in propaganda presents its thrusts as a reaction to the militarization of the region by the NATO forces. The annexation of Crimea, military invasion into Eastern Ukraine, and arms race are examples of Russian imperialist policies. Robust strategy and meaningful transformations are needed to prepare Central and Eastern Europe for future challenges and threats in a contingent geopolitical environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The escalation around Ukraine calls for a larger historical re-assessment of social change in Eastern Europe -- and indeed of the European project at large. The current moment of historical re-assessment requires a full-fledged competitor to liberal theory. The article will explore how a theory of 'double polarizations' anchored in global anthropology and Marxism, and with a relational theory of culture and politics at its heart, can explain unexpected outcomes that must now appear as a shock to liberal audiences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Transylvania, buildings with a high quality architecture have been constructed along the centuries. The purpose of the present study is to document the built heritage of Transylvania, particularly the Jewish buildings and especially those that had been neglected over the last years. The article is the continuation of the article about the Jewish architecture in Transylvania, with a case study about the Jewish girls' school in Satu Mare. The research domain is interdisciplinary because it links History, Architecture, Art history and the problem of Globalization as well. The niche in this domain remains the fact that the buildings are not identified, rehabilitated, or promoted. Previous studies have mostly focused on synagogues and prayer houses. Most of the other precious buildings have been left aside. This study offers a new approach to change the point of view of the people who live in Romania, and helps them appreciate the heritage they have received. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the impact of globalisation and depoliticisation of the political economy on post-communist Eastern Central Europe (ECE) with an emphasis on Poland. Three waves of post-communist neoliberalisation are discussed. The first wave was an extension of the Washington Consensus which emphasized privitsastion and internationalisation. The second wave was the enlargement of the European Union (EU) and economic competitiveness. The third wave since 2004 is a push towards a global agenda and neoliberal competitiveness and capitalism. It is suggested that the economic, institutional, and social process related to neoliberalisation should be re-politicized.

Zachmann and Giucci observe that the Eastern Partnership emerged from the European Neighbourhood Policy that formed the framework for the EU external policy towards most of its neighbouring countries since 2004. Valasek argues that the EU governments should take steps to ensure that the Union gets recognition for the role its member-states are playing in helping Eastern Europe to cope with the crisis. Hillion and Mayhew maintain that it is through bilateral relations that the East European states will gain the most in political and economic terms. Kochenov pinpoints the main drawbacks from which the ENP suffers and assess the likely impact of the newly-introduced Union for the Mediterranean and Eastern Partnership initiatives to revitalise the policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At the centre of the interface between the developmental needs of national industry and evolutionary processes in the MNEs' subsidiaries are knowledge-seeking and knowledge-generation processes. Based on new survey evidence, we examine the strategies of MNE in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). In particular, we investigate the knowledge characteristics of MNE subsidiaries in CEE by analysing the roles of subsidiaries, market orientation and sources of technology over time. Key Results Initially market-seeking operations dominated in CEE, with little integration of CEE subsidiaries into global MNE networks. The relative scarcity of export-oriented efficiency-seeking operations in CEE can be explained by persistent high-levels of uncertainty in CEECs and resistance from MNEs' longer-established Western European manufacturing subsidiaries. European MNEs pursue the most country-centred strategies while the Asian MNEs have the highest export-orientation. Also it is found that CEE subsidiaries in motor vehicle and mechanical engineering have the highest export-orientation to European Union markets. However we suggest that product differentiation using CEE creative capabilities (i.e. technology and engineering expertise) rather than cost-competitiveness, may ultimately secure a more sustainable and embedded entry into MNEs' wider European (or global) networks. Host governments may consider targeted and coherent policies that reduce business uncertainties and, thus, may sway MNEs to locate higher value-added activities in their country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies the properties of business cycles in seven Central and East European countries (CEEC-7). Comparison of the length of the business cycles in the CEEC-7 and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development; Synchronization in countries where greater internationalization of enterprises and greater product and financial market linkages to EU markets are present.

Presents a preliminary assessment of social risks in Romania. Prevalence in the post-modern world, which is characterized by 'globalization'; Threat of unemployment in transition economies in Southeastern Europe; Correlation between unemployment and labor unrest on the one hand and divorce and criminality on the other.