Essays on Global Strategy: Exploring Diversity, Reputation, and Internationalization

Authors

Magdalena Viktora-Jones, Florida International UniversityFollow

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Major/Program

Business Administration

First Advisor's Name

William Newburry

First Advisor's Committee Title

Committee Chair

Second Advisor's Name

Stav Fainshmidt

Second Advisor's Committee Title

Committee Member

Third Advisor's Name

Naomi Gardberg

Third Advisor's Committee Title

Committee Member

Fourth Advisor's Name

Kisha Jones

Fourth Advisor's Committee Title

Committee Member

Fifth Advisor's Name

Sumit Kundu

Fifth Advisor's Committee Title

Committee Member

Sixth Advisor's Name

Fred Walumbwa

Sixth Advisor's Committee Title

Committee Member

Keywords

Diversity, Corporate Reputation, Internationalization, Policy Adoption

Date of Defense

5-12-2023

Abstract

Due to rising social issues, corporations are expected to respond to societal imbalances. As a result, firms are increasingly showing reactions by adopting social initiatives and/or policies. This 3-essay doctoral dissertation explores the strategic behavior of large U.S.-based enterprises in their domestic and international endeavors. In essay one, I study the investment behavior of U.S. firms during a cross-border merger or acquisition. I suggest that focusing on social performance influences if a firm is seeking control. In essays two and three I zoom in on policy adoption as a firm’s response to social inequality. In the last two decades, more U.S. firms have adopted policies protecting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or other (LGBT+) individuals from workplace discrimination. In essay two, I explore how adopting LGBT+-supportive policies affects corporate reputation. I suggest that implementing these policies sends positive signals to stakeholders, but that reputation only changes with evidence of tangible benefits. I find that corporate effectiveness acts as a mediator. LGBT+-supportive policies are controversial, and in some contexts, identifying as LGBT+ is punishable by law. Essay three explores the effect of firm internationalization on LGBT+-supportive policy adoption. Based on differences in institutions, I argue that firm internationalization negatively impacts U.S. firms' adoption of these policies, finding results that vary based on a firm’s internationalization approach.

Identifier

FIDC011137

ORCID

0000-0002-1117-3076

Recommended Citation

Viktora-Jones, Magdalena, "Essays on Global Strategy: Exploring Diversity, Reputation, and Internationalization" (2023). FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 5438.
https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd/5438