Magdolna Sass | Corvinus University of Budapest (original) (raw)
Papers by Magdolna Sass
Columbia FDI Profiles, Vale Columbia Center on Sustainable International Investment, 2012
Transition to a market-based economic structure in the post-communist countries of the Central an... more Transition to a market-based economic structure in the post-communist countries of the Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) region since the early 1990s has been accompanied by intense IT-driven technological change. Internationalisation opportunities have emerged for IT sector small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) based on the region’s strong possession of technical skills. However, while enhanced SME internationalisation is desirable in policy terms, the current socio-economic transitional context of the region is not compatible with a highly competitive global business environment. While transition has facilitated outward migration, return migrants who acquire social capital abroad and establish businesses upon return home may positively influence entrepreneurship, organisational human capital and SME internationalisation in the CEE region. This chain of phenomena remains relatively unresearched in a CEE context, hence this article presents an initial attempt to address it. A process-oriented qualitative case study approach is used to compare the experience of three IT sector entrepreneurs in Hungary who previously worked and studied abroad. Primarily, the acquisition of social capital from abroad is crucial for re-configuration of organisational human capital at home in order to drive ‘born-global’ SME internationalisation. This study therefore provides a basis for further empirical investigation of the overall transformative effect of individual return migrant entrepreneurs upon organisational human capital re-configuration and ensuing SME internationalisation. Additionally, policy suggestions are derived for development of international entrepreneur exchange programmes to enhance social capital development and human capital re-configuration in local innovative SME sectors.
IWE Working Papers, No. 210, Dec 2014
This working paper analyses investment by Russian firms in the four Visegrád countries, their mot... more This working paper analyses investment by Russian firms in the four Visegrád countries, their motivations and ownership advantages, based mostly on the eclectic paradigm. Beside statistical data, we rely on case studies to present the profile of the most important Russian investors in each host country. The Visegrád countries have attracted less Russian investment than their economic importance would warrant, due to various factors, most notably the joint effects of reticence in host countries and firm strategies that do not necessarily see the subregion as a major priority. Most of the Russian investment examined is market, and to a lesser extent, resource seeking, concentrated in the hydrocarbons, steel and nuclear energy industries, often dominated by state-owned firms. Some innovative private Russian companies, with features similar to developed-country multinationals, can also be identified. Extant investment theories with the exception of the eclectic paradigm fall short of explaining Russian investment. This paper suggests that further analysis is needed on the role of the home country in stimulating outward investment and directing it to specific locations.
Die ungarische Forschung und Entwicklung sowie …, Jan 1, 1997
The capital-attraction ability of Eastern …, Jan 1, 1996
IEHAS Discussion Papers, Jan 1, 2010
Hungary is increasingly appearing on the map of trade in services. This is mainly due to the appe... more Hungary is increasingly appearing on the map of trade in services. This is mainly due to the appearance of foreign owned shared services centres, regional or even global headquarters of multinationals.
Macroeconomic issues of recovery in transition …, Jan 1, 1997
Telemedicine and e-Health, Jan 1, 2011
The main objective of this article was to describe the present state and characteristics of telem... more The main objective of this article was to describe the present state and characteristics of telemedicine and related e-health services in Hungary and the main obstacles to its further development. Two main data sources were used: statistical data and 90 questionnaire-based semistructured personal interviews conducted with hospital workers in Hungary in August 2009. Compared with developed countries, telemedicine and e-health are in their infancy in Hungary; in comparison with the less-developed countries of the East Central European region, Hungary fares relatively well. Major differences were found between the application of various telemedicine and related e-health services and between hospitals. The main obstacles to the further development of telemedicine are lack of infrastructure and interoperability and existing technical and regulatory problems. Contrary to our expectations, the low level of information technology skills is only of secondary importance compared with the previously mentioned obstacles and there were no major acceptance problems regarding telemedicine and related e-health on the part of hospital workers. A national strategy addressing the main obstacles is indispensable if telemedicine in Hungary has to develop further.
The role of cohesion policy in rural …, Jan 1, 2011
The Hungarian OFDI stock is highly concentrated in five big companies. Government policy has so f... more The Hungarian OFDI stock is highly concentrated in five big companies. Government policy has so far focused more on a vigorous promotion of inward FDI than on helping outward investors. However, it sometimes protects strategic Hungarian OFDI firms from hostile takeovers. The main question for the future of Hungarian OFDI is how its sustainability can be assured, especially by way of broadening the company base of capital exporters.
Deborah Schöller: Service Offshoring and its Impact on …
A strong private equity market is a cornerstone for commercialization and innovation in modern ec... more A strong private equity market is a cornerstone for commercialization and innovation in modern economies. However, substantial differences exist in the relative amounts raised and invested in private equity across European countries. We investigate the macro-determinants of private equity investment in Europe, focusing on the comparison between CEE and Western European countries. Our estimations are based on a data set running from 2001 to 2008 and covers 14 Western European and three CEE countries. Applying robust estimation techniques we identify a 'robust' set of determinants of private equity activity in both regions. We find similarities as well as differences in the driving forces of private equity investments in Western European and CEE countries. Our results suggest that commercial bank lending, equity market capitalization, unit labour costs and corporate tax rates are significant determinants of private equity activity.
European Urban and Regional …, Jan 1, 2011
Abstract This article examines the impact of foreign direct investment in business services on th... more Abstract This article examines the impact of foreign direct investment in business services on the economies of the Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia and their place in the European division of labour. A distinction is drawn between horizontal market-seeking ...
We analyse the ways in which various actors affect changes in competitiveness at the firm level, ... more We analyse the ways in which various actors affect changes in competitiveness at the firm level, focusing on the roles of external actors such as investors, creditors, customers, suppliers, universities, research institutes, local governments, etc., in their relationships with the firm; that is, with the effects of various kinds of networks on competitiveness. We begin by discussing the central analytical concepts, briefly reviewing the general literature on how networks affect enterprise performance generally and in the specific transition environment. We then overview the relevant literature on enterprise performance and its relation to various types of networks (with a special emphasis on the role of foreign investors) in three Central European and two West European cohesion countries (the Czech Republic, Hungary, Ireland, Poland and Spain) -countries which share a need to upgrade their industries with respect to the older member countries of the European Union.
Columbia FDI Profiles, Vale Columbia Center on Sustainable International Investment, 2012
Transition to a market-based economic structure in the post-communist countries of the Central an... more Transition to a market-based economic structure in the post-communist countries of the Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) region since the early 1990s has been accompanied by intense IT-driven technological change. Internationalisation opportunities have emerged for IT sector small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) based on the region’s strong possession of technical skills. However, while enhanced SME internationalisation is desirable in policy terms, the current socio-economic transitional context of the region is not compatible with a highly competitive global business environment. While transition has facilitated outward migration, return migrants who acquire social capital abroad and establish businesses upon return home may positively influence entrepreneurship, organisational human capital and SME internationalisation in the CEE region. This chain of phenomena remains relatively unresearched in a CEE context, hence this article presents an initial attempt to address it. A process-oriented qualitative case study approach is used to compare the experience of three IT sector entrepreneurs in Hungary who previously worked and studied abroad. Primarily, the acquisition of social capital from abroad is crucial for re-configuration of organisational human capital at home in order to drive ‘born-global’ SME internationalisation. This study therefore provides a basis for further empirical investigation of the overall transformative effect of individual return migrant entrepreneurs upon organisational human capital re-configuration and ensuing SME internationalisation. Additionally, policy suggestions are derived for development of international entrepreneur exchange programmes to enhance social capital development and human capital re-configuration in local innovative SME sectors.
IWE Working Papers, No. 210, Dec 2014
This working paper analyses investment by Russian firms in the four Visegrád countries, their mot... more This working paper analyses investment by Russian firms in the four Visegrád countries, their motivations and ownership advantages, based mostly on the eclectic paradigm. Beside statistical data, we rely on case studies to present the profile of the most important Russian investors in each host country. The Visegrád countries have attracted less Russian investment than their economic importance would warrant, due to various factors, most notably the joint effects of reticence in host countries and firm strategies that do not necessarily see the subregion as a major priority. Most of the Russian investment examined is market, and to a lesser extent, resource seeking, concentrated in the hydrocarbons, steel and nuclear energy industries, often dominated by state-owned firms. Some innovative private Russian companies, with features similar to developed-country multinationals, can also be identified. Extant investment theories with the exception of the eclectic paradigm fall short of explaining Russian investment. This paper suggests that further analysis is needed on the role of the home country in stimulating outward investment and directing it to specific locations.
Die ungarische Forschung und Entwicklung sowie …, Jan 1, 1997
The capital-attraction ability of Eastern …, Jan 1, 1996
IEHAS Discussion Papers, Jan 1, 2010
Hungary is increasingly appearing on the map of trade in services. This is mainly due to the appe... more Hungary is increasingly appearing on the map of trade in services. This is mainly due to the appearance of foreign owned shared services centres, regional or even global headquarters of multinationals.
Macroeconomic issues of recovery in transition …, Jan 1, 1997
Telemedicine and e-Health, Jan 1, 2011
The main objective of this article was to describe the present state and characteristics of telem... more The main objective of this article was to describe the present state and characteristics of telemedicine and related e-health services in Hungary and the main obstacles to its further development. Two main data sources were used: statistical data and 90 questionnaire-based semistructured personal interviews conducted with hospital workers in Hungary in August 2009. Compared with developed countries, telemedicine and e-health are in their infancy in Hungary; in comparison with the less-developed countries of the East Central European region, Hungary fares relatively well. Major differences were found between the application of various telemedicine and related e-health services and between hospitals. The main obstacles to the further development of telemedicine are lack of infrastructure and interoperability and existing technical and regulatory problems. Contrary to our expectations, the low level of information technology skills is only of secondary importance compared with the previously mentioned obstacles and there were no major acceptance problems regarding telemedicine and related e-health on the part of hospital workers. A national strategy addressing the main obstacles is indispensable if telemedicine in Hungary has to develop further.
The role of cohesion policy in rural …, Jan 1, 2011
The Hungarian OFDI stock is highly concentrated in five big companies. Government policy has so f... more The Hungarian OFDI stock is highly concentrated in five big companies. Government policy has so far focused more on a vigorous promotion of inward FDI than on helping outward investors. However, it sometimes protects strategic Hungarian OFDI firms from hostile takeovers. The main question for the future of Hungarian OFDI is how its sustainability can be assured, especially by way of broadening the company base of capital exporters.
Deborah Schöller: Service Offshoring and its Impact on …
A strong private equity market is a cornerstone for commercialization and innovation in modern ec... more A strong private equity market is a cornerstone for commercialization and innovation in modern economies. However, substantial differences exist in the relative amounts raised and invested in private equity across European countries. We investigate the macro-determinants of private equity investment in Europe, focusing on the comparison between CEE and Western European countries. Our estimations are based on a data set running from 2001 to 2008 and covers 14 Western European and three CEE countries. Applying robust estimation techniques we identify a 'robust' set of determinants of private equity activity in both regions. We find similarities as well as differences in the driving forces of private equity investments in Western European and CEE countries. Our results suggest that commercial bank lending, equity market capitalization, unit labour costs and corporate tax rates are significant determinants of private equity activity.
European Urban and Regional …, Jan 1, 2011
Abstract This article examines the impact of foreign direct investment in business services on th... more Abstract This article examines the impact of foreign direct investment in business services on the economies of the Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia and their place in the European division of labour. A distinction is drawn between horizontal market-seeking ...
We analyse the ways in which various actors affect changes in competitiveness at the firm level, ... more We analyse the ways in which various actors affect changes in competitiveness at the firm level, focusing on the roles of external actors such as investors, creditors, customers, suppliers, universities, research institutes, local governments, etc., in their relationships with the firm; that is, with the effects of various kinds of networks on competitiveness. We begin by discussing the central analytical concepts, briefly reviewing the general literature on how networks affect enterprise performance generally and in the specific transition environment. We then overview the relevant literature on enterprise performance and its relation to various types of networks (with a special emphasis on the role of foreign investors) in three Central European and two West European cohesion countries (the Czech Republic, Hungary, Ireland, Poland and Spain) -countries which share a need to upgrade their industries with respect to the older member countries of the European Union.