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Purpose The purpose of this paper is to identify and analyze the strategic decisions, especially those focused on smart governance, that have been implemented by the cities of Buenos Aires (Argentina), Medellín (Colombia) and Mexico City (Mexico) and how they have impacted the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Design/methodology/approach Using a qualitative approach and a descriptive scope, this manuscript follows a multiple case study methodology that was primarily based on the analysis of archival records and documentation using pattern-matching and cross-case synthesis as analytical techniques. Findings Observed cities share three main characteristics when implementing smart governance strategies linked to SDG 16: technology-based solutions to solve recent and long-lasting societal problems; broad, diverse and active citizen participation; and a socio-technical approach toward smart governance and SDG 16. Research limitations/implications This paper points out the linkages between smart governance and SDGs in emerging markets’ smart cities. The findings of this study indicate the need to promote socio-technical approaches – rather than merely technical perspectives – to achieve SDG 16. Hence, citizen participation, open government and co-creation initiatives are key to the promotion of more inclusive and solid institutions. Originality/value The most important contribution of this study is to identify the strategic initiatives developed by three leading smart cities in Latin America from the smart governance point of view and their relationship with the SDGs, which is useful because it contributes to expanding our understanding of smart governance from practical experiences.

Within the last two decades, the international expansion of Latin American companies has undergone remarkable growth. This phenomenon has attracted scholarly attention, however, most of the available research is focused on companies that have already engaged in foreign direct investment (FDI), meanwhile, Latin American firms in pre-FDI stages remain mostly understudied. This article uses an explanatory case study design to analyze the corporate reputation and decision-making process related to international expansion of a set of ten Latin American companies. Both archival and primary data were used in the individual and cross-case analyses stages for 22 months. Our study identifies and establishes analytical generalizations when examining and contrasting the findings with the previously revised theoretical frameworks. More specifically, we identified that these companies exhibit similarities with the behavior of Jaguars, the Latin American wild feline; especially because of (i) their preference to remain in their regional market to exploit current capabilities and advantages, and eventually enter developed markets to upgrade capabilities and surpass strong competitors at home; (ii) their strategies to disguise their country of origin and lack of experience when operating internationally; and (iii) their solitary behavior and reluctance to engage in partnerships and/or strategic alliances unless they have a specific interest in building legitimacy and enhancing reputation.

Since the end of the 20th century, the role of private multinational enterprises (MNEs) has been recognized as critical in implementing increased sustainable production and consumption atterns. Particularly after the creation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Agenda 2030, this role has increased. In this sense, this paper aims to analyze the measures and actions taken by companies in their contribution to the achievement of the SDG 12. Through the identification of more than 52 metrics in sustainability reports of 854 firms, findings suggest that direct greenhouse gas emissions and indirect greenhouse gas emissions are the most often reported corporate metrics to measure their impact on specific SDGs. This reveals the importance of sustainability actions in emerging market firms as a mechanism to gain legitimacy when operating in foreign markets and as an opportunity to create more sustainable production models.

Purpose This paper aims to assess what happens to a willingness to take entrepreneurial action when people experience low or high subjective well-being (SWB) in 12 emerging economies. Design/methodology/approach The research uses principal component analysis (PCA) and logistic regressions with a data sample from the global entrepreneurship monitor (GEM) for emerging economies. Findings The main results suggest that SWB, measured as satisfaction with life (SWL) and job satisfaction (JOBS), increases the probability of a person becoming an entrepreneur. Social implications The findings of this research suggest that designing and implementing public policies that seek to promote the well-being of individuals might foster their entrepreneurial activities in emerging economies. Originality/value The literature on entrepreneurship, which assesses its relationship with SWB is still scarce. Most of the academic work has been carried out for developed countries, mainly analysing how entrepreneurial activity affects SWB in self-employees or entrepreneurs. This manuscript analyses these elements in the opposite direction, contributing to an underdeveloped discussion on how well-being affects the decision to be an entrepreneur.

The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of COVID-19 on the Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) region and to discuss imperative engines for potential regional recovery.,This study conceptually discusses the effects of COVID-19 on the LAC region and highlights potential areas for recovery.,The LAC region have a history of facing structural development challenges – due to digital inequality, environmental degradation, erosion of democracy and financial debt – which have led to a profound discontent among people in the LAC region and this dissatisfaction has been intensified by the crises stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic. LAC region can increase its resilience and recover its path to sustainable development by consolidating impact-based regional value chains, attracting sustainability-themed foreign direct investment and nurturing structural development to facilitate LAC companies to expand into international markets (“multilatinas”).,There are some preliminary studies on the economic and social impact of COVID-19 on the LAC region, however, the strategies that emerging and developing economies might pursue to promptly recover are still a matter of discussion. The uncertainty and heterogeneity of the developing and emerging economies and the multidimensional needed actions require local adaptations and adjustments.,The LAC COVID-19 crisis recovery requires shared responsibility, global solidarity, urgent and immediate cooperation and structural transformations to enable deeper regional integration. This integration should focus on impact-based value chains to be resiliently adaptable to changing global realities and arduous local contexts. This paper provides integrative avenues for potential regional recovery within the region.,el proposito de este manuscrito es examinar el impacto de COVID-19 en la region de Latinoamerica y el Caribe (LAC) y discutir los motores imperativos para una posible recuperacion regional.,Este estudio analiza conceptualmente los efectos del COVID-19 en la region de LAC y destaca areas potenciales de recuperacion.,la region de LAC tiene un historial de enfrentar desafios de desarrollo estructural debido a la desigualdad digital, la degradacion ambiental, la erosion de la democracia y la deuda financiera, que han llevado a un profundo descontento entre las personas de LAC, y esta insatisfaccion se ha visto intensificada por las crisis derivadas de la pandemia de COVID-19. La region de LAC puede aumentar su resiliencia y recuperar su camino hacia el desarrollo sostenible mediante la consolidacion de mas cortas cadenas de valor regionales basadas en el impacto, la atraccion de Inversion Extranjera Directa (IED) con temas de sostenibilidad y el fomento del desarrollo estructural para facilitar la expansion de las empresas de LAC en los mercados internacionales (“multilatinas”).,la recuperacion de la crisis del COVID-19 en LAC requiere de responsabilidad compartida, solidaridad global, cooperacion urgente e inmediata y transformaciones estructurales que permitan una integracion regional mas profunda. Esta integracion debe centrarse en las mas cortas cadenas de valor basadas en el impacto para que se adapten con resiliencia a las cambiantes realidades globales y los arduos contextos locales. Este manuscrito proporciona vias integradoras para una posible recuperacion regional dentro de la region.,Existen algunos estudios preliminares sobre el impacto economico y social del COVID-19 en la region de LAC, sin embargo, las estrategias que las economias emergentes y en desarrollo podrian seguir para recuperarse rapidamente son aun un tema de discusion. La incertidumbre y heterogeneidad de las economias en desarrollo y emergentes y las acciones multidimensionales necesarias requieren adaptaciones y ajustes locales.,o objetivo deste manuscrito e examinar o impacto do COVID-19 na regiao da America Latina e do Caribe e discutir mecanismos imperativos para uma potencial recuperacao regional.,este estudo discute conceitualmente os efeitos do COVID-19 na regiao da America Latina e do Caribe e destaca areas potenciais para recuperacao.,a regiao da America Latina e do Caribe (LAC) tem um historico de desafios estruturais de desenvolvimento – devido a desigualdade digital, degradacao ambiental, erosao da democracia e divida financeira – que levaram a um profundo descontentamento entre as pessoas na regiao da LAC, e essa insatisfacao foi intensificada pelas crises decorrentes da pandemia COVID-19. A regiao da LAC pode aumentar sua resiliencia e recuperar seu caminho para o desenvolvimento sustentavel consolidando cadeias de valor regionais com impacto economico e social, atraindo Investimento Estrangeiro Direto (IED) com foco em sustentabilidade e fomentando o desenvolvimento estrutural para facilitar a expansao das empresas da LAC para mercados internacionais (“multilatinas”),a recuperacao da crise LAC COVID-19 requer responsabilidade compartilhada, solidariedade global, cooperacao urgente e imediata e transformacoes estruturais para permitir uma integracao regional mais profunda. Essa integracao deve se concentrar em cadeias de valor baseadas em impacto para serem resilientemente adaptaveis as mudancas nas realidades globais e nos contextos locais arduos. Este manuscrito oferece caminhos integrativos para uma potencial recuperacao regional.,existem alguns estudos preliminares sobre o impacto economico e social do COVID-19 na regiao da LAC; no entanto, as estrategias que as economias emergentes e em desenvolvimento podem seguir para se recuperar prontamente ainda estao em discussao. A incerteza e a heterogeneidade das economias em desenvolvimento e emergentes, assim como as acoes multidimensionais necessarias requerem adaptacoes e ajustes locais.

Purpose This study aims to analyze the mediating effect of the open innovation processes of knowledge acquisition and exploitation as external embeddedness strategy on the relationships between strategic orientation toward digitalization and the three dimensions of the innovation capability: client, marketing and technology. Design/methodology/approach The research model was tested using a structural equation modeling design based on survey data from a financial and insurance sector multinational enterprise with direct operations in seven emerging countries. This sector is classified as being highly digitalized. Findings The results show that strategic orientation toward digitalization has an effect on innovation capability, with a greater impact on the client and technology dimensions than on the marketing dimension. However, the relationships with clients and technology are partially mediated by acquisition, while the one with marketing is mediated by exploitation. Originality/value This finding widens the current purpose and theoretical sense of external embeddedness as a type of inter-organizational arrangement key for digitalization in the literature, which is focused on the adaptation of digital technology of the head office to the needs of the subsidiaries and the systems of their local allies. By contrast, the study results show that external embeddedness is key for the multinational to be able, from its global way of creating value through digital technologies, not only to improve operating efficiency, but also to meet costumer experience expectations in each host country and innovate in local commercialization strategies, on account of the knowledge transfer between the multinational and the local players on customer preferences and technology uses in local markets.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to review the literature on corporate reputation and internationalization to identify key research theories, contexts, characteristics, methodologies, applications, limitations and opportunities for future research on the interlinks between these two complex constructs. Design/methodology/approach Elements of systematic literature review and bibliometric analysis were used to analyze theories, contexts, characteristics, methodologies and opportunities for future research based on 90 articles published in 50 journals over 27 years. Findings The findings suggest that this is a contemporary yet expanding research field explored from a variety of theoretical, methodological and empirical standpoints, which hinders broad conclusions and warrants further research. More specifically, this paper identifies three broad research streams that link international expansion and corporate reputation and suggests avenues for future studies: cross-national institutions, strategic decisions and corporate reputation; international marketing, consumers and brand credibility; and corporate image, international trade and investment flows. Originality/value Reputation and internationalization are constructs with multiple applications and interpretations. The way companies build, maintain and extend their reputation and legitimacy, and the drivers, motives and difficulties faced by them when expanding operations internationally have been widely studied separately. This manuscript reviews the nascent and promising linkage between these two elements that have recently drawn the attention of business practitioners and scholars alike.

The purpose of this chapter is to analyze the implementation of blockchain technology, intended to provide transparency and trust, and its linkages with business sustainability. More specifically, it aims to answer the question “How does blockchain technology guarantee transparency, trust, and sustainability in the context of Agenda 2030?” The complex relation of digital transformation and its effects on the three dimensions of sustainability (environmental, social, and financial) has become an important issue of analysis for companies worldwide. Furthermore, as both blockchain and SDGs are recent developments in their respective areas, research that covers both elements is in development, though promising. This chapter highlights the need for a framework that integrates individuals, communities, companies, and governments to achieve success in improvement of the monitoring mechanisms for the digital platforms that sustainably guarantee later accomplishment.

This chapter is to analyze the business model of four Latin American digital native media founded between 1998 and 2014. With this research, we seek to identify the management model, sustainability, and main sources of income of these media. The study applies a case study methodology utilizing documentary analyses and interviews with people linked to each case. To facilitate the cross-case comparison, a standard semi-structured questionnaire was developed and applied to informants from each case, which allowed to contrast the conditions and decisions of selected cases. Main findings are related to the elements that contribute to the sustainability of these cases, for instance the strategic relationship management with the audience, the diversifying formats, free access to content, and diversifying sources of income as the core elements that have contributed to the growth and sustainability of these media.

This study identifies the levels of the incorporation of automation—application of machines or automatic procedures, in an industrial textile process—of the companies of the Textile Confection sector in Colombia, to improve the level of maturity of their technological capabilities. This chapter analyzed ten companies that previously had some automation experiences according to the level of their maturity in seven dimensions: prospective, strategy and organization, smart operations, smart products, smart factory, data-based services, and employees. Besides, companies were categorized following three levels of automation: beginner, apprentice, and leader. The findings of this study reveal that companies do not develop leadership at the same time in all dimensions, which justifies an adjustment in the process of incorporating automation or an improvement program in those dimensions in which the company has not reached the leader level yet. Additionally, the study relates that the weakest automation processes in most companies are related to intelligent operations, intelligent products, and intelligent factory.

Objective : To analyse the internationalisation of SMEs from the perspective of the entrepreneur and the special characteristics and traits that influence internationalisation while dealing with parsimony of financial assets, country of origin liability and other institutional voids. Research Design & Methods: 11 Colombian SMEs were observed and studied on a case-by-case basis, using a methodology inspired by the phenomenological interpretative analysis (IPA). Findings: The coding and analysis of the collected empirical data highlighted five main features that positively influence the internationalisation of the observed SMEs: technical expertise of an entrepreneur, opportunistic behaviour towards internationalisation, international focus from inception, an ability to build networks and value creation based on personal traits of the entrepreneur. Implications & Recommendations : The findings of this study contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the behaviour, rationality and distinctive entrepreneur’ traits that influence the internationalisation of service SMEs. Contribution & Value Added: This study observes the internationalisation of SMEs from a region that is underrepresented in the literature, furthermore, it uses an entrepreneur-level approach and IPA methodology that is novel in international entrepreneurship studies.

Purpose This theory testing paper compares and analyzes the internationalization process of two Mexican family-owned firms: Xignux and Grupo Alfa. This paper is intended to offer a theoretical understanding using existing frameworks such as OLI (ownership, location and internationalization), LLL (linkage, leverage and learning) and the Uppsala model. Furthermore, it tests whether the theoretical framework of organizational capabilities and international ventures fits the internationalization of these companies. Design/methodology/approach This paper is based on case study methodology using the companies’ publically available data. Both within-case and cross-case analysis were carried out to identify specific traits in the internationalization pattern of both firms; cases were also compared with literature to identify conflicts and similarities that enable a better understanding of the phenomenon. Findings It was found that not a single theory fully and satisfactorily explains the internationalization of both Xignux and Alfa, instead, issues like internationalization into low psychic distance countries, establishment of strategic alliances and the exploitation of locational-specific advantages contributed in the international expansion of the studied companies. Originality/value There is an increasing amount of available literature regarding internationalization strategies and internationalization theories applied to developing and emerging country firms. However, most of the studies analyze companies from Asia, and there are limited studies on multilatinas (i.e. Latin American multinationals). Furthermore, scholars in the field of international business are still debating whether the existing theories, or an adaptation of them, explain the internationalization of multilatinas.

Purpose– This paper aims to provide an examination of the ongoing internationalisation processes undertaken by 30 major multinational Colombian-owned firms. It also presents a theoretical overview and a conceptual framework for the understanding of internationalisation patterns from emerging countries’ multinational enterprises.Design/methodology/approach– This study is built based both on the results collected from comparative case studies based in the literature and empirical observations of Colombia’s patterns. This study observed the evolution in terms of commitment and investment decisions that 30 major Colombian companies have undergone specially within the past decade.Findings– Although, it was found that direct exports is the widespread entry mode of Colombian companies to foreign markets, most of the observed firms preferred the consolidation in host markets through Mergers & Acquisitions instead of using Greenfield investments or joint ventures. These observations might suggest similarities with the process of internationalisation of Asian tigers multinationals, which means that they are consolidating their internationalisation process based on their learning, linkages and leverages capabilities. Furthermore, Colombian companies are following the internationalisation pattern of other multilatinas. These companies have first explorer natural markets for them; in other words, they have first attempt to be established in markets that share psychic features, and similar institutional environments, as psychic and physical proximity reduces risk and facilitates foreseen return of investments, and therefore long-term capital accumulation.Research limitations/implications– This study has some limitations that suggest further research. First, although the observed firms share one main characteristic: being Colombian-owned multinationals, they belong to diverse fields, so this might pose difficultly for the creation of a framework that explains other multinationals drivers to internationalise. A second limitation is that this analysis does not deepen into the internationalisation patterns of multilatinas from countries other than Colombia; this leaves room for further research questions that might deal with the issue of analysing advantages and disadvantages in the internationalisation process of developing country multinational corporations (DCMCs). A third limitation is that this study does not have a longitudinal approach, so this paper does not intent to provide definitive information about cause-and-effect relationship regarding the drivers for DCMCs to internationalize, instead, this study is intended to provide an analysis of the outward foreign direct investment decisions of Colombian multinational firms.Practical implications– There is limited research based on primary data on accessing the internationalisation process of Colombian multinational companies. This paper offers a research framework and results which could be replicated in other Developing Country Multinational Corporation (DCMNC), and could also be studied longitudinally. This study includes relevant information on the drivers for international expansion, market selection, perceived obstacles, entry modes and consolidation in host markets via acquisitions that could possibly support managerial decisions.Originality/value– There is limited research based on primary data on accessing the process of internationalisation of Colombian multinational companies. This paper offers research framework and results which could be replicated in other DCMNC, and also could be longitudinally studied. This study includes relevant information on the drivers for international expansion, market selection, perceived obstacles, entry modes and consolidation in host markets via acquisitions that could eventually support managerial decisions.

Purpose This chapter is intended to present the onset, evolution, and decline of Compania Minera El Zancudo, considered the largest Colombian company in the nineteenth century. Additionally, the chapter will examine its role in both the development of manufacturing industries and the introduction of modern capitalism in the country. Methodology/approach The case is based on secondary information collected according to a documentary research method in which the authors selected, categorized, interpreted, and confronted different sources concerning El Zancudo. Findings The inception and evolution of El Zancudo involved local and foreign knowledge, techniques, and capital investments that contributed to the company growing to the point of reaching the unprecedented figure of 1,350 workers in the year 1890. Its transition from a failed local mine to a prosperous and intricate business group is full of referrals and links to foreign investment, knowledge transfer, industrial development, and an orientation toward entrepreneurship that contributed to the understanding of subsequent enterprises not only in the Antioquia region but also across the entire country. Research limitations/implications This case study was written using limited reliable secondary sources about El Zancudo. Other significant Colombian companies in the nineteenth century (Ferreria de Pacho, Ferreria de Amaga, Empresa Textilera de Samaca, and Cerveceria Bavaria) and their links to El Zancudo were mentioned but not deeply analyzed in this chapter. Practical implications The clear-cut causes that led El Zacudo to close its operations within the first decades of the twentieth century are worthy of discussion, not only by scholars and business practitioners, but also by policy makers in order to understand the phenomenon and possibly prevent existing companies from failing in a similar manner. Originality/value This case brings together the scattered literature on El Zancudo and analyzes the drivers and consequences of both its rise and fall, taking into consideration the specific historical, political, and economic contexts, furthermore, it establishes some linkages between this case and other companies under similar situations.

Practical implications The case of the Peruvian Amazon Company, explores how an unsustainable business model could eventually lead a once successful company to its death. The contribution of the following chapter is based on the description of the causes of the Peruvian Amazon Company’s death. Previous studies had analysed the internationalization strategies implemented by the company. Although, an evaluation of causes of the company’s real extinction had not been presented.

En este estudio se muestra que aunque no hay evidencia de un patrón generalizable en el proceso de internacionalización de compañías colombianas, hay algunos rasgos comunes en la mayoría de las empresas observadas: la elección de exportaciones como el modo de entrada inicial, el ingreso a países con baja distancia psicológica y geográfica, y el desarrollo de ventajas estratégicas locales que eventualmente se replican en el exterior. Se utilizaron una encuesta y una entrevista estructurada que incluyen variables numéricas y categóricas seguido de un análisis cruzado de casos. También se encontró que las decisiones de internacionalización operan bajo una base ad-hoc y dependen de la experiencia y la intuición de los altos ejecutivos de las empresas

This multi-case study paper analyses the influence of both nationalisation and privatisation patterns on five major Latin American oil companies: Petrobras, PEMEX, PDVSA, Ecopetrol and YPF. The paper uses case study methodology in which each case was studied individually to identify unique case features, and to eventually conduct a cross-case analysis in which patterns are studied. Data was collected from publicly available secondary sources. After a careful examination and analysis of the selected cases, it can be concluded that semi-privatised Latin American oil companies directly compete with private companies in terms of revenues, growth and international presence. Based on analysis and comparisons, this study concludes that private participation might have had a positive effect in Latin American oil companies internationally.