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The Internationalization of Socially Oriented Organizations

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Growth Frontiers in International Business

Part of the book series: The Academy of International Business ((AIB))

Abstract

Socially oriented organizations, such as social ventures and nonprofit organizations, fill the gap between the public sector and the private sector and alleviate the unsolved social pains. Socially oriented organizations can internationalize their operations, but international business scholars knew little about internationalization of socially oriented organizations and its determinants. Based on a data set of 271 socially oriented organizations from 63 countries, we explored the impacts of three potential determinants: (1) the organizational form, whether the socially oriented organization is economically sustainable; (2) the social nature, which types of social interventions that the socially oriented organization conducts and (3) the strength of institutional environment in the home country. The findings of this chapter enriched our previously limited knowledge on the internationalization of socially oriented organizations.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Business and Management, Lappeenranta University of Technology, Lappeenranta, Finland

    Jie Chen, Sami Saarenketo & Kaisu Puumalainen

Authors
  1. Jie Chen
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  2. Sami Saarenketo
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  3. Kaisu Puumalainen
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Management Birkbeck, University of London, London, United Kingdom

    Kevin Ibeh

  2. Department of Management Birkbeck, University of London, London, United Kingdom

    Paz Estrella Tolentino

  3. Department of Management Birkbeck, University of London, London, United Kingdom

    Odile E. M. Janne

  4. Department of Management Birkbeck, University of London, London, United Kingdom

    Xiaming Liu

Appendix: Examples of Keywords Extracted Corresponding to the Eight Types of Social Interventions

Appendix: Examples of Keywords Extracted Corresponding to the Eight Types of Social Interventions

Codes

Examples of keywords

DIS

disadvantaged, vulnerable, marginalized, neglected group, grassroots, (people) excluded from society, to obtain status in society, (people with) physical/mental disabilities, physical disabled/handicapped/blind/visually impaired/deaf/hearing impaired (people), women and children (after decades of wars/long-term absence of male family members/etc.), rural women/youth, refugees, slum dwellers, migrants labourers

EMP

Keywords linked with employment opportunities:

employment/job opportunities, job placements, jobless, unemployed, excluded from opportunities, devoid of opportunities

Keywords linked with employment conditions:

labour conditions, employment conditions, protection from malpractices/hazards

EDU

Keywords linked with formal education:

(unable to) read and write, (il)literacy, access to education, (high) dropout rate, (low) enrollment rate, education/enrollment of girls, improve school enrollment/retention/(public) school performance/outcomes/passing rates, (lack of) school facilities, access to books/libraries, access to student loans, teaching methodology, (to improve) reading/writing/mathematics capabilities, (to promote) problem solving/critical thinking, alternative path (for high school/college education)

Keywords linked with informal education:

professional training, vocational training, skills training, market-relevant skills, capacity building, agricultural education, to build/develop (self-)confidence

ENV

(environmentally/ecologically) sustainable, sustainability, ecotourism, conservation, to safeguard rainforest, to combat the trafficking of wildlife, to conserve species/ecosystems, biodiversity, to reverse depleted fish stocks/sustainable fishing, climate change, low carbon communities, to reduce energy use/emissions, low environmental impact, (ecologically) sustainable farming/agriculture, (to reduce) use of inorganic fertilizers/pesticides/herbicides, micro-irrigation technology (to save water use), pollution monitoring, consumer awareness/conscious consumption, urban/communal environmental issues, green spaces, recycling, waste management, hazardous waste, bio-degradable plastics

HEA

Keywords linked with physical health:

healthcare, to improve healthcare access, health services, health needs, health risks (associated with…), post-care support, (high) infant mortality rate, low-cost infant warmer, sanitary conditions, public health, epidemics, (to eradicate) cholera/typhoid/malaria/tuberculosis, HIV treatment/care support, (low-cost) cataract surgery/intraocular lenses/ophthalmic products, blood cancer, malnutrition, chronic hunger, (affordable/specialized) diabetes care, low-price food, food scarcity, food security

Keywords linked with mental health:

mental/psychological health/illnesses/diseases, anxiety, depression

HMN

(gender/race/income/social class (caste)) (in)equality, empowerment of women, women’s leadership, human rights, (post-communism) political transformation, civic engagement, to build a democratic state, social change, crime prevention, crime victims, Mafia extortion, (to prevent) domestic violence/abuse, to promote cultural integrity, restoration and enhancement of heritage sites, handicraft/craft production, community/society harmony, social integration, social inclusion, community participation/collaboration, neighborhood transformation

POV

poverty, to eradicate poverty, to remove the structural causes of poverty, impoverished region, income generating, wealth creation, economic development, regional/rural development, limited financial resources/funding, microfinance, microcredit, micro-loans, micro-leasing arrangements

RES

safe/unsafe/clean (drinking) water, (water) purification, (affordable) water filters, solar energy/lighting/lantern/mobile phone charger, biomass-based electricity, inexpensive fuel (biogas), mini power stations (fueled by weeds and agricultural wastes), micro-hydro plants, cost-effective electricity distribution system, (affordable/cost-effective) housing, homelessness, post-earthquake reconstruction, (to recycle and distribute) clothing/bicycles/under-utilized resources (from urban households to the rural poor, or from Europe to sub-Saharan Africa), to develop distribution network (of consumer goods to reach rural villages)

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Chen, J., Saarenketo, S., Puumalainen, K. (2017). The Internationalization of Socially Oriented Organizations. In: Ibeh, K., Tolentino, P., Janne, O., Liu, X. (eds) Growth Frontiers in International Business. The Academy of International Business. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-48851-6_9

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