Carlos J Alsua

Interests

Teaching

Global Entrepreneurship, Entrepreneurship and Development, Change and Innovation, International Organizational/Consumer Behavior, Global Management/HR, Leadership and Performance, Environment of Business (Ethics)/Business and Society, Management, Human Resources.

Research

Organizational and entrepreneurial behavior, (women) expatpreneurs, pro-social rule-breaking and innovation, cross-cultural organizational behavior, ethics and ethical ideologies, international ethics and leadership, globalization and glocalization, cross-cultural/ international business and management, employee empowerment, goal orientation, motivation.

Courses

Scholarly Contributions

Journals/Publications

• Gan, R., Alsua, C., Aregay, A., Assaf, D., Bruni, E., & González, P. (2024). Exploring Cascading Disaster Risk During Complex Emergencies: Chemical Industry Disaster Risk Assessment in the Aftermath of the Kakhovka Dam Bombing in Ukraine. Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness, 18. doi:https://doi.org/10.1017/dmp.2024.41
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  Objective: This risk assessment aims to investigate the analysis of cascading disaster risks from the perspective of the chemical industry and public health subsequent to the Kakhovka dam bombing in Ukraine. Method: The study utilized a modified observational cross-sectional risk assessment method to assess disaster risk. The method involved identifying the location of chemical factories, determining flooded or at-risk factories, analyzing the type and frequency of chemical hazards, assessing population exposure, and plotting a disaster risk metric. Data on chemical industries and flood extent were collected from open-source secondary data. Results: The destruction of the Kakhovka dam in June 2023 led to severe flooding, placing 42 000 individuals at risk. The analysis identified four chemical factories, with 1 affected by flooding and 3 at risk. The overall risk assessment indicated a high likelihood and severe consequences, including loss of life, environmental contamination, and property damage. Conclusion: The combination of complex emergencies and high-risk chemical facilities in Kherson Oblast poses a significant risk of a chemical industry disaster. The interplay between compound and cascading risks during complex emergencies amid the current war further exacerbates the situation, leading to the devastation and destruction of the environment to the detriment of life, and aligns with the characterization of ecocide.
• Gan, R., Bruni, E., Castro Delgado, R., Alsua, C., & Arcos González, P. (2023). Novel Google Maps and Google Earth application for chemical industry disaster risk assessment during complex emergencies in Eastern Ukraine. Scientific Reports, 13(1), 5758. doi:10.1038/s41598-023-31848-6
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  The war in Ukraine has led to complex emergencies, humanitarian crises, and other severe consequences, such as chemical industry disasters. The chemical industry is one of the principal sectors of Ukraine’s economy. In 2019, Ukraine had a total volume of hazardous chemical accumulation of more than a 5.1billion tons. Therefore, an attack on chemical industrial facilities will lead to catastrophic consequences such as chemical disasters. This paper aims to study the disaster risk of chemical industrial facilities and its effects on public health and the environment during complex emergencies in Eastern Ukraine. Observational cross-sectional risk assessment method was utilized to assess hazard, vulnerability, and exposure of the chemical industry in Eastern Ukraine in Donetsk Oblast and Luhansk Oblast. Data on chemical factories in Eastern Ukraine was collected on Google Maps and Google Earth on May 2022. Lastly, the semi-quantitative risk assessment method was utilized to describe the risk from the perspective of consequences for life and health, the environment, property, and speed of development. Our disaster risk assessment found more than 1 million people (1,187,240 people) in Donetsk Oblast and more than 350 thousand people (353,716 people) in Luhansk Oblast are exposed to potential hazards from the chemical facilities clusters. The aggregation risk of bombardment of chemical facilities cluster in Eastern Ukraine is also high due to ongoing war. Therefore, the chemical industry disaster risks for Eastern Ukraine during complex emergencies in Donetsk Oblast and Luhansk Oblast are high in terms of likelihood and consequences to life and health, environment, property, and speed of development.
• Gan, R., Delgado, R., Bruni, E., Alsua, C., & González, P. (2023). Chemical Industry Disaster Risk Assessment During Complex Emergencies in Ukraine - CORRIGENDUM. Prehospital and Disaster Medicine, 38(4). doi:10.1017/S1049023X2300609X
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  Introduction: The war in Ukraine has not only led to complex emergencies and humanitarian crises but also other severe consequences, such as the chemical industry disaster. The chemical industry is one of the principal sectors of Ukraine’s economy, and it is estimated that Ukraine has a total volume of hazardous chemical accumulation of more than 5.1 billion tons. An attack on chemical industrial facilities will lead to catastrophic consequences. This thesis aims to study the disaster risk of chemical industrial facilities and its consequences on public health and the environment during complex emergencies in Ukraine. Method: Observational cross-sectional risk assessment method was utilized to assess hazard, vulnerability, and exposure of the chemical industry in Donetsk Oblast, Luhansk Oblast, Kherson Oblast, Zaporizka Oblast, and Kharkiv Oblast, Ukraine. Data on chemical factories in Eastern Ukraine was collected on Google Maps and Google Earth in May 2022. Lastly, the semi-quantitative risk assessment method was utilized to describe the risk from the perspective of consequences for life and health, the environment, property, and speed of development. Results: Chemical industry disaster risks in Ukraine during complex emergencies in Donetsk Oblast, Luhansk Oblast, Kherson Oblast, Zaporizka Oblast, and Kharkiv Oblast are high in terms of likelihood and consequences to life and health, environment, property, and speed of development. Conclusion: This risk assessment enables potential chemical disaster risks in Ukraine during complex emergencies to be understood and communicated by the local community, the first responder, and till policy makers. Therefore, enable a whole-of-society approach involving risk management, disaster preparedness, and response. Further detailed risk assessment on the type of chemical and their hazards should be conducted once the situation permits.
• Alsua, C., Henn, R., Terzidis, O., Kuschel, K., & Leiva, J. C. (2022). One step back, two steps forward: internationalization strategies and the resilient growth of entrepreneurial ecosystems. Small Enterprise Research, 29(3), 273-307. doi:10.1080/13215906.2022.2134191
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  The concept of resilience has been recently integrated into the entrepreneurial ecosystem (EE) approach, as regional economies are pressured to raise their robustness against exogenous and endogenous crises. However, the Global South, particularly Latin American countries, has unique business dynamics and paradoxes due to the informal economy, weak institutions, low level of innovation, yet high level of entrepreneurial activity and economic growth. In this study, we conducted thirty-five semi-structured expert interviews in the capital cities of Costa Rica, Peru, Chile, and Argentina. In doing so, we aim to understand the vision and strategies regarding ecosystem development in those territories, from public and private actors. Furthermore, we apply an evolutionary perspective to identify challenges or barriers to achieving resilient growth, and how to overcome these obstacles. Finally, this study extends the current literature on EE by adding three dynamics for developing resilient EEs; early internationalization strategies, digitalization, and trust-building.
• Alsua, C. J., Palacios-Fenech, J., & Ramirez, J. (2019). Social preferences, goal orientation and team performance.. Business Ethics and Leadership.
• Alsua, C. J., Denny, S., Guo, A., Scroggins, W. A., Rozell, E., Alas, R., & Ellernum, T. (2016). Implicit entrepreneurship theory and success factors in China, the United Kingdom and Estonia. Journal of Business and Economics, 7(5), 776-790.
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  Abstract: This study introduces the concept of implicit entrepreneurship theory to examine how perceptions of entrepreneurial attributes may either resemble or vary across three culturally different countries in various stages of market structure including the United Kingdom (market), Estonia (former command, now market), and China (with mixed market and command structures). The following research questions were addressed: which characteristics of entrepreneurs are either shared or not shared among current versus potential entrepreneurs; which entrepreneurial characteristics and factors are more or less desirable of successful entrepreneurs in one country versus another; and whether cultural, social or institutional differences make certain entrepreneurial characteristics more salient in one country versus another. Focus groups and survey results revealed the following common features among entrepreneurs: Awareness of new opportunities, persistence to develop and implement new ideas, active communication and networking skills, and readiness to face new challenges. These results are important for customizing the process of entrepreneurship education to the perceived training needs in these three countries. Indeed, while entrepreneurship education could change perceptions of participants about success factors, it should also consider society’s cultural expectations of a successful entrepreneur. Key words: international entrepreneurship; culture; success factors 
• Elernum, T., Alas, R., Alsua, C. J., Eliszabeth, R. J., W, S., Guo, A., & Denny, S. (2016). Implicit Entrepreneurship Theory and Success Factors in China, United Kingdom and Estonia.. Journal of Business and Economics, 7(9), 776-790.
• Alas, R., Alsua, C. J., Denny, S., Ellernum, T., Guo, A., Rozell, E., & Scroggins, W. A. (2015).

  Implicit entrepreneurship theory and success factors in China, the United Kingdom and Estonia

  . Journal of Business and Economics, 7(5), 776-790.
• Ubeda, R., Alsua, C., & Carrasco, N. (2015). Purchasing models and organizational performance: a study of key strategic tools. JOURNAL OF BUSINESS RESEARCH, 68(2), 177-188.
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  Latin American countries show a lack of productivity and innovation compared with OECD economies. Business networks constitute a tool to improve this situation, and purchasing can help organizations create business networks with suppliers, as purchasing has evolved from a support function to a key strategic tool for organizations. Purchasing maturity models reflect this evolution. As their level of purchasing maturity increases, organizations experience increased performance. Unfortunately, however, current models do not specify the purchasing tools and methodologies that firms should use to enhance their purchasing maturity level and thus increase their cost savings. This study advances the literature by identifying 16 tools, methodologies, and strategic and nonstrategic activities, as well as 10 cost-saving levers linked to the stages of purchasing maturity. Based on a study of 278 Chilean companies, this paper identifies which key activities, tools, and methodologies that organizations can use to improve their purchasing performance. (C) 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
• Elenurm, T., Alas, R., Rozell, E. J., Scroggins, W. A., & Alsua, C. J. (2014). Cultural Prototypes of the Successful Entrepreneur: Comparison of Estonia and the United States. Journal of Baltic Studies, 45(4), 499--515.
• Alsua, C. J., & Sales, R. C. (2013).

  The relationship between the level of maturity of the Strategic Purchasing Model and performance: An empirical study of Chilean organizations

  . BALAS.
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  This empirical study determines the relationship between the level of maturity along the Strategic Purchasing model and performance. Based on the Strategic Purchasing models in the literature; the study first proposes a model that includes five strategic areas: strategic planning, human resources, organizational processes and tools, supplier management, and communication with stakeholders. A subsequent empirical study of 278 Chilean firms evaluated the relationship between the level of maturity and purchasing department performance. Results confirm a strong significant relationship between maturity and performance. Implications confirm the value of investing in the development of the purchasing function in organizations.
• Alsua, C. J., Alas, R., & Carneiro, J. (2012). Moral philosophies and ethics across borders: A study of Brazil, Chile, China, Estonia and the United States. Academia-revista Latinoamericana De Administracion, 30-44.
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  Resumen en: This study examined the ethical ideologies of men versus women, and younger versus older respondents in five countries across three continents. Results s...
• Alsua, C. J., & Mujtaba, B. G. (2011). Task and relationship orientation of Americans: a study of gender, age, and work experience. Journal of Behavioral Studies in Business.
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  This paper examines the management orientation of employees in the United States by comparing the leadership perception of 484 respondents from the Alaska and Florida regions. It appears that Americans have a significantly higher score on the relationship-orientation than task-orientation. Similarly, the variables of gender, age and work experience produced similar results, showing a significantly higher score for the relationship orientation for these Alaskans and Floridians. The study also presents practical recommendations, suggestions for future research and implications of the study.
• Alsua, C. J. (2010).

  Transforming Your Leadership Culture

  . The journal of applied management and entrepreneurship, 15(1).
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  Are you a considering a major change in your organization? Do you need to transform your organizational culture? If this is the case, John B. McGuire and Gary B. Rhodes propose in Transforming your Leadership Culture that if you want to succeed in this endeavor “you,” the leader, must become the first subject of change. The authors bring their years of experience in executive leadership training to propose a schedule of organizational change that begins with you and your leadership culture. This book does not give you recipes on how to be an external actor, an outsider, or a mere implementer of change; rather, here you are required to be the catalyst of that change from within. If you want your organization to change you must change first.
• Alsua, C. J., Mujtaba, B. G., & Teowkul, K. (2009). Factors influencing power generation investment in Laos. Asian Journal on Energy and Environment.
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  This paper aims to study factors influencing investment in power generation by Thai businesses. The study focuses on one hundred and one power generating companies comprised of very small power producers, small power producers, and independent power producers. Investment is through joint ventures, mixed ventures, wholly owned enterprises, and portfolio investment. Research was conducted using closed and openended questionnaires; variable measures; statistical factor analysis; and binary logistic regression. The study reveals two main factors influencing investment decisions: physical and societal factors, and factors stemming from the business environment. Physical and societal factors are sub-divided into five minor factors relating to political, legal, economic, geographical, and cultural factors. Business environment factors are sub-divided into price advantage, marketing advantage, advantages in innovation, number and comparative capabilities of competitors, and national competitive differences. Industrial Technology, Lampang Rajabhat University วารสารวชาการคณะเทคโนโลยอตสาหกรรม มหาวทยาลยราชภฏลาปาง ปท 2 ฉบบท 1 เมษายน 2552 – กนยายน 2552 3 In terms of physical and societal factors, the research shows that the most influential issues affecting investment decisions are legal, namely that the government of Lao PDR has issued laws assuring foreign capitalists of rights regarding the repatriation of capital and dividends. Moreover, the Laos government has enacted laws concerning tax exemption or waivers relating to project construction, infrastructure, and certain industrial activities which involve the use of modern technology. Additionally, laws providing for tax exemption when importing machines, tools, spare parts, vehicles, and raw materials that are unavailable or inadequate in the country have also been issued. The second factor positively affecting investment decisions is the cultural continuity between Lao PDR and Thailand. The similarity between Laotian and Thai north-eastern dialects provides for a direct means of communication, obviating the need for an interpreter. Geographical influences are a third factor; dense forests cover the northern and eastern areas with plentiful water throughout the year. Referring to factors categorized under the business environment, the most influential factor is advantages originating in technology and innovation, followed by national competitive differences. Unlike complicated coal-fired or other thermal power plants, electricity produced using hydropower is simple and clean. The large amount of water contained throughout the year in mountainous locations in Lao PDR enables the construction of dams to generate a great deal of electricity, when compared to Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam, to which in exports significant quantities of energy. Price advantages are a second factor. The price of electricity, generated by entrepreneurs in Lao PDR and sold to EGAT has a low cost due to the low fixed cost of hydropower. The third factor is a major advantage in marketing. Power demand in Thailand, China, and Vietnam will be three-times higher in the next ten years, providing extensive business opportunities in the market for electricity.
• Alsua, C. J. (2007).

  Globalizaton Versus Glocalization of Business Practices in Latin America

  . The international journal of interdisciplinary social sciences, 465-470. doi:10.18848/1833-1882/cgp/v02i04/52361
• Romero, E. J., Pearson, T. R., Hinrichs, K. T., & Alsua, C. J. (2007). Regional humor differences in the United States: Implications for management. Humor: International Journal of Humor Research, 20(2), 189-201. doi:10.1515/humor.2007.009
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  AbstractThis paper is an exploratory study examining humor differences among four regions of the United States and the managerial implications of such differences. The results indicate significant differences between the regions regarding affiliative and self-defeating humor, the creation and performance of humor, the use of humor in coping and in social situations, and attitudes toward humor. Managerial implications for researchers and practitioners are discussed.
• Alsua, C. J. (2005).

  Personality and Culture: Learning Goals and Their Impact on Performance of Global Firms

  . The international journal of knowledge, culture and change management, 460-465. doi:10.18848/1447-9524/cgp/v04/59049
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  The paper presents several hypotheses on the influence of distal factors, such as cultural dimensions, with dispositional goal orientation, and individual performance. Cultural values can influence in two ways: They can transform an individual’s disposition, and they can determine a way in expressing those dispositions. At the same time, personality and dispositional goal orientation are integrated through a hierarchy of goals where personality is associated with higher order goals (values), which affect intrinsic motivation. The link to performance is hypothesized through the impact of goal orientation. Under a performance orientation, individuals are less likely to increase effort when they encounter difficulty because they assume that if they do not possess the ability to solve the situation, an increased effort will do little to help.
• Roberson, L., & Alsua, C. (2002). Moderating effects of goal orientation on the negative consequences of gender-based preferential selection. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 87(1), 103-135. doi:10.1006/obhd.2001.2960
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  Two studies examined the moderating effect of situationally induced goal orientation on the negative effects of gender-based preferential selection for women and the extent to which ability perceptions mediate the impact of selection method. Study 1 found that under a performance orientation women selected on the basis of gender evaluated their performance less favorably and reported less desire to remain in the task than women selected on the basis of merit. Under a learning orientation women's responses were not affected by selection method. Study 2 generalized this effect to task performance, examining both males and females. As hypothesized, men did not experience negative effects of preferential selection. Negative effects of preferential selection on performance for women were found only under a performance orientation. Both studies suggested that ability perceptions do not fully mediate the effects of preferential selection. © 2001 Elsevier Science.

Proceedings Publications

• Alsua, C. J., Gao, J., Carneiro, J., & Alas, R. (2011). Moral philosophy and ethics across borders: How do Latin Americans compare?. In Business Association of Latin American Studies.

Presentations

• Kuschell, K., Terzidis, O., Alsua, C. J., & Powosino, R. (2021, May). Women expatpreneurs in international acceleration programs: Implications for entrepreneurial and migration policy. Female Entrepreneurship and Small Family Firms Conference. Nice, France: DIANA.
• Gonzalez, C., Alsua, C. J., Portocarrero, F., & Martinez, P. (2020, August). Professional Development Workshop Proposal “Hermandad:” a Latinx Professional Development Workshop. Academy of Management Conference. Vancouver, Canada: Academy of Management.
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  According to data from the Pew Research Center, the US Hispanic population reached 60 million individuals in 2018, making Latinx the largest minority group in the country. However, while Latinx individuals have increased as a proportion of the population, business schools have been slow at addressing the needs of its Latinx students and faculty. This professional development workshop is an effort to provide Latinx faculty and doctoral students with a venue to share insights, lived experiences and knowledge. Our objective is for participants to develop strategies for professional development and survival that will allow the professional success of this marginalized and under-represented group within business schools and the Academy of Management.
• Ramirez, J., Alsua, C. J., & Palacions-Fenech, J. (2018, October). It’s all about the team: Metagoals and value orientations.. CLADEA (Latin American Council of Business Schools) conference.. San Jose, CR: CLADEA.
• Alsua, C. J., & Ubeda-Sales, R. (2016, Summer). Innovation and the pocess of empowerment: A preliminary review for managers in developing economies. International Conference of Innovation Studies. Beijing, China: Tsinghua University.
• Elernum, T., Alas, R., Rozell, E., Scroggins, W., Alsua, C. J., Guo, A., & Denny, S. (2015, March). Implicit entrepreneurship theory and success factors in China, the United Kingdom and Estonia. BALAS Business Association of Latin American Studies. San Juan, PR: BALAS.
• Ubeda-Sales, R., Alsua, C. J., & Trabazo, M. (2014, September). El aporte de valor de la función de Compras: Estudio empírico en Chile. CLADEA Latin American Council of Business Schools. Barcelona, Spain: CLADEA.
  More info

  https://cladea2014.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/paper_381.pdf

Poster Presentations

• Alsua, C. J., & Peterson, M. (2019, January). Your Success is not my Failure: Growth Mindset and Performance in the Entrepreneurial Context. USASBE. St Pete, FL: USASBE.