Used internationally at undergraduate and postgraduate level, this highly successful textbook presents, analyses and compares six different theories of the multinational firm that have dominated the research in international business during the last four decades. This thoroughly updated third edition acts on end-user feedback, with major revisions including: Chapter 1, The Multinational Firm: A Beauty or a Beast? rewritten to include recent data about foreign direct investments and multinational firms a discussion of entrepreneurship theories and the application of these theories of/to the multinational firm added to Chapter 4 a new chapter developing the idea of the governing multinational. The author discloses the basic building blocks and assumptions behind each theory covered in order to achieve a better understanding of why the multinational firm is looked upon so differently by researchers and stakeholders. Compact and accessible, this textbook is a required resource for students of international business, international management and international economy courses.

The Role of Multinational Enterprises in Supporting the United Nations' SDGs is an exploration of the place of the private sector in implementing select Sustainable Development Goals. Beyond the abundant literature published by the United Nations and journal articles, there are few book-length treatments of the unique role that multinationals play as facilitators of goal implementation and agents of change. This volume aims to stimulate debate and research on MNEs' best practices, fleshing out many of the seventeen goals through the lens of corporate strategic choices. Sixteen carefully selected chapters present research advances in both study and best practices format, linking disciplines, knowledge systems, and stakeholders' perspectives to support a more sustainable business model and address the varied challenges on the road to the 2030 Agenda. They comprise a balanced mix of research methodologies: comprehensive literature reviews, theoretical frameworks, empirical studies, integrative reviews, and case studies. The book will be of use to advanced students, researchers, practitioners, planners, and policymakers worldwide who are concerned with sustainable development and corporate social responsibility issues through the lens of multinationals. Furthermore, the book is designed to be used in graduate courses in business, economics, public policy and on sustainability and corporate social responsibility.

Elgar Research Agendas outline the future of research in a given area. Leading scholars are given the space to explore their subject in provocative ways, and map out the potential directions of travel. They are relevant but also visionary. This exciting Research Agenda offers a multi-disciplinary and historically informed programme for the further investigation of the global political economy of the corporate sector. It tackles the question, can and should the corporation be reformed? Christopher May develops a range of intersecting areas for research while also offering an account of the possibilities for the reform of the global corporation. Based on an understanding of the history of corporations, the author provides key insights into their management and political agency as well as the operation of the global corporate supply chain. Drawing links between a range of disciplines and perspectives on business enterprises, May calls for a more nuanced understanding of the global corporate sector in order to better comprehend the contours of the contemporary global capitalist system. This Research Agenda will be a valuable resource for students and academics of politics, economics, sociology and law, who are curious to explore the corporation in relation to their area of study.

This authoritative book examines the power of multinational corporations (MNCs) to exert influence in global politics. Focusing on the actions and motivations of MNCs, it explores how they attempt to shape the political issues that affect them. Combining theoretical perspectives with analyses of enlightening case studies, the contributors consider key areas in which MNCs seek to exert political influence such as environmental sustainability, social conflicts and corporate tax avoidance, as well as in specific industries including mining, shipping and consulting. They also illustrate the mechanisms used by MNCs to exert influence in a wide range of policy fields at multiple territorial levels, discussing how they interact with states, intergovernmental organizations and civil society, as well as how they coordinate their activities with other parts of the business community. The book concludes that MNCs enjoy certain basic privileges in society and politics due to their preponderant economic position and their key role in the processes of globalization, but action is necessary to sustain this role. MNCs in Global Politics will be critical reading for academics and students of politics, international relations and political economy, particularly those with an interest in globalization and governance. Its exploration of specific case studies will also be beneficial for policy-makers.

In The Multinational Enterprise, Mark Casson - an important thinker in international business for more than 40 years - provides a state-of-the art review of recent developments in the economic theory of the multinational enterprise. He shows how recent developments in theory shed new light on the historical emergence of multinational enterprises, and explains the different forms that multinationality has taken in different industries and different regions of the world. Mark Casson brings together his leading research on internalisation theory as a general theory of the multinational enterprise. He offers cutting-edge analysis across four distinct sections: marketing and brands, supply chain coordination, methodology and the theory of the firm, and risk management. The book also sets out an exciting new research agenda, which explores the future place of the multinational in the evolving 'knowledge economy' and in a politically uncertain world. This book will appeal to doctoral students and faculty in business schools in need of the latest theoretical developments and also those in economics departments that specialise in business and industrial economics.

Multinational enterprises (MNEs) are everywhere and the perception of their engagement in myriad activities ranges between extremely positive and extremely negative. Based on original comprehensive research, this groundbreaking book examines the impact of Chinese and European MNEs in the African context. Sharing knowledge and insights from the authors' empirical research, Multinationals, Local Capacity Building and Development uses Ghana as a case study to analyse trends in MNEs and assess the advantages and disadvantages of their involvement. The book examines the role of MNEs in Ghana's industrial sector, their management practices and the effects of skill transfer from foreign managers to local workers. The authors explore the impact MNEs are having on the development of local capabilities, the contribution of MNEs to sustainable development goals, and the benefits and drawbacks of foreign direct investment in Ghana. Previously unexamined roles of work and social networks, and the differences between European and Chinese MNEs, are exposed, all subjects previously unaddressed in the field. The insights presented in this book will be of significant interest to policy makers, both public and private sector development practitioners, and students of development, as well as any readers concerned with addressing better engagement with key economic actors on the African continent.

Elgar Research Agendas outline the future of research in a given area. Leading scholars are given the space to explore their subject in provocative ways, and map out the potential directions of travel. They are relevant but also visionary. This exciting Research Agenda offers a multi-disciplinary and historically informed programme for the further investigation of the global political economy of the corporate sector. It tackles the question, can and should the corporation be reformed? Christopher May develops a range of intersecting areas for research while also offering an account of the possibilities for the reform of the global corporation. Based on an understanding of the history of corporations, the author provides key insights into their management and political agency as well as the operation of the global corporate supply chain. Drawing links between a range of disciplines and perspectives on business enterprises, May calls for a more nuanced understanding of the global corporate sector in order to better comprehend the contours of the contemporary global capitalist system. This Research Agenda will be a valuable resource for students and academics of politics, economics, sociology and law, who are curious to explore the corporation in relation to their area of study.

Thoroughly updated and substantially extended, this internationally successful text explores transnational corporations (TNCs), their activities and effects, as well as the theories developed to explain them. Invaluable for courses as well as researchers in international business, international economics, globalization, international relations, economic geography and history of economic thought on the TNCs. Key features of this edition: A unique critical analysis of all the theories of TNCs in their historical context and with insightful commentaries at the end of each chapter, now extended to cover network theory and dynamic capabilities theory Clear exposition of concepts on the evolution and the activities of TNCs Analysis of effects of TNCs' activities on: innovation; labour; trade; balance of payments and the fiscal revenue of countries Discussions on new topics such as the digital TNCs and global value chains A contribution to the history of economic thought on the TNC Summary boxes as well as suggestions for further reading within each chapter give opportunities for discussion and extended learning. Ideal for advanced bachelors and masters courses in international business, economics, international relations, globalization and economic geography as well as the history of economic thought, Transnational Corporations and International Production is an essential text for appreciating the evolution, explanations and impact of TNCs in a globalised world.

This comprehensive yet accessible textbook provides readers with an advanced and applied approach to traditional international business that integrates key cross-cultural management topics. Its ten chapters give profound insights into analysing, selecting and entering international markets, strategic partnerships, strategic positioning, global value chains, organizational designs, intercultural interaction, leadership and motivation and international human resources management. For each of these topics, advanced and contemporary theoretical and analytical frameworks are discussed and translated into toolsets that will assist readers in solving practical challenges. Key Features: A strong connection of theoretical foundations with illustrative case studies Integration of current trends and challenges, such as intercultural competence, migration and digitalization, offshoring and global value chains Comprehensive practical examples from multinational firms that demonstrate the value of the frameworks and toolsets included in each chapter An integrative case study that picks up key practical challenges in each chapter and invites the reader to apply theories, frameworks and toolsets A supplementary website that provides multiple materials for furthering readers' knowledge, including toolsets, further cases and exercises, accompanying videos, quizzes, and presentation slides International Business Strategy and Cross-Cultural Management is a key resource for postgraduate courses on international business management, globalization and entrepreneurship, international human resource management and global marketing. It will also serve as a complementary text for lecturers and students involved in the X-Culture project.

This comprehensive yet accessible textbook provides readers with an advanced and applied approach to traditional international business that integrates key cross-cultural management topics. Its ten chapters give profound insights into analysing, selecting and entering international markets, strategic partnerships, strategic positioning, global value chains, organizational designs, intercultural interaction, leadership and motivation and international human resources management. For each of these topics, advanced and contemporary theoretical and analytical frameworks are discussed and translated into toolsets that will assist readers in solving practical challenges. Key Features: A strong connection of theoretical foundations with illustrative case studies Integration of current trends and challenges, such as intercultural competence, migration and digitalization, offshoring and global value chains Comprehensive practical examples from multinational firms that demonstrate the value of the frameworks and toolsets included in each chapter An integrative case study that picks up key practical challenges in each chapter and invites the reader to apply theories, frameworks and toolsets A supplementary website that provides multiple materials for furthering readers' knowledge, including toolsets, further cases and exercises, accompanying videos, quizzes, and presentation slides International Business Strategy and Cross-Cultural Management is a key resource for postgraduate courses on international business management, globalization and entrepreneurship, international human resource management and global marketing. It will also serve as a complementary text for lecturers and students involved in the X-Culture project.

Recently multinational corporations have begun to reinvent themselves as socially responsible actors, largely in response to anti-corporate activist pressure. The author argues that a concern with corporate reputation is leading to an ideational shift in corporate behavior - in essence, it is disciplining their behaviour. This innovative exploration of the idea of a self-regulating corporation in an era of globalisation first examines the link between corporate reputation, corporate behaviour and self-regulation, and goes on to compare and contrast various studies of multinational corporations that have sought to self-regulate. Terry O'Callaghan includes a multifaceted critique of anti-corporate activists, which acknowledges both the dangers multinational corporations pose to communities and the fact that anti-corporate activists are the first groups to understand that corporate reputations could be put at risk by targeted campaigns. He also illustrates his themes through three case studies of companies that have attempted to self-regulate, including Royal Dutch Shell, the Toyota Motor Corporation and Interface Inc. Undergraduate and postgraduate students of international business, management and business ethics will be interested in the essential topics covered in this book, and academics and practitioners alike will appreciate its accessible lessons about reputational capital and holding MNCs accountable.

This thoroughly updated and revised edition of a widely acclaimed, classic text will be required reading for academics, policy makers and advanced students of international business worldwide. Employing a distinctive and unified framework, this book draws together research across a range of academic fields to offer a synthesis of the determinants of MNE activity, and its effects on the economic and social well-being of developed and developing countries. Unique to the new edition is its focus on the institutional underpinnings of the resources and capabilities of MNEs, and the role of MNE activity in transmitting and facilitating institutional change. Since the initial publication of this book more than a decade ago, the economic, managerial and social implications of globalisation and technological advancement have become even more varied and prominent. Accompanying these developments, there has been a rise in scholarly interest in interdisciplinary research addressing the important challenges of an ever-changing physical and human environment. Drawing on articles and books from international business and economics, as well as economic geography, political economy and strategic management, a systematic overview of the developments in scholarly thinking is presented, while also highlighting the emerging topical issues and methodologies.

In The Multinational Enterprise, Mark Casson - an important thinker in international business for more than 40 years - provides a state-of-the art review of recent developments in the economic theory of the multinational enterprise. He shows how recent developments in theory shed new light on the historical emergence of multinational enterprises, and explains the different forms that multinationality has taken in different industries and different regions of the world. Mark Casson brings together his leading research on internalisation theory as a general theory of the multinational enterprise. He offers cutting-edge analysis across four distinct sections: marketing and brands, supply chain coordination, methodology and the theory of the firm, and risk management. The book also sets out an exciting new research agenda, which explores the future place of the multinational in the evolving 'knowledge economy' and in a politically uncertain world. This book will appeal to doctoral students and faculty in business schools in need of the latest theoretical developments and also those in economics departments that specialise in business and industrial economics.

The Development of International Business offers an extensive understanding of contemporary international business through detailed, engaging discussion of the development of the multinational enterprise (MNE) over the past half-century. By providing an analytically informed basis for understanding MNEs, two parallel strands of analysis in International Business (IB) are reviewed: the `theoretical' and the `practical'. Firstly, Robert Pearce identifies how the practical restructuring of the MNE as an organisational form has responded to changes in the wider global economy and how this evolution has interacted with the enrichment of theory on the topic. Secondly, by tracing the persisting dynamics of the MNE's structure and strategic positioning, he demonstrates the use of these systems and how they can help to understand and organise the future evolution of not only MNEs but of international business as a whole. Highly accessible with an informed overview of the entire IB subject area, The Development of International Business is an essential text for students and academics of business, management, economics and development. More generally, business leaders, economists and politicians will value the exceptional insight into the progression of international business and its future.

Transnational corporations (TNCs) have moved to the forefront of regulatory governance both within states and in the international arena. The Research Handbook on Transnational Corporations provides expert background commentary and up-to-date insights into regulatory frameworks impacting on TNCs at global, industry and national levels. Written by global experts in their field, this unique collection of essays provides in-depth understanding of how the forces of globalisation affect the world's largest corporations, and how those corporations, in turn, shape globalisation. Comprehensive yet highly accessible, this is the first major work on the reciprocal impact of TNCs on regulatory processes. The Research Handbook provides guidance on how best to understand the rapidly evolving relationship between TNCs and the processes of treaty making, the formation of global industry standards and the processes of national law making and policy formation (with a focus on resource taxation). Global, industry and national-level case studies are used to explain the basic principles used to support state, private, and international regulatory programs. Delivering both theoretical and practical insights into the regulation of TNCs, this timely and authoritative Research Handbook will be of particular interest to policy makers, industry practitioners and lawyers. Students and academics will also find it to be an invaluable resource. Contributors include: R. Anderson, M. Bowman, L. Cata Backer, A. Chou, A. De Jonge, G. Gilligan, D. Gleeson, M.A. Gonzalez-Perez, V. Harper Ho, J.A. Kirshner, D. Kraal, L. Leonard, R. Lopert, M.E. Monasterio, P. Neuwelt, J. O'Brien, A. Ruhmkorf, R. Tomasic, M. Woersdoerfer

In this revised second edition, Hans Jansson develops and applies an international business and marketing strategy framework to contemporary complex global markets. This cutting-edge textbook explores the major challenges associated with doing business in complex and turbulent emerging markets, stressing the strategic importance of the natural environment. Taking a holistic perspective that integrates stakeholder and shareholder views, this textbook employs an innovative network institutional framework to achieve sustainable competitive advantages by creating economic, social and ecological values with stakeholders. This updated edition includes: The international network strategy (INS), offering a framework for connecting MNCs and multinational exporters with parties in new economic, social and natural environments, and the international matching strategy (IMS), dealing with how MNCs achieve legitimacy An overview of the historical development of the supranational environment, structured as three waves of the internationalization of firms, including the integration of foreign direct investment into the global value chain Dedicated chapters outlining the development of research on international business, strategy, marketing, networks and institutions A methodology for analysing the institutional context of foreign local markets. Insightful and enlightening, this textbook is ideal for postgraduate students of international business, strategy and marketing. This book will also offer frameworks and strategic tools for managers, consultants and practitioners confronting strategic issues in complex markets.

A cast of prestigious international business scholars explores here the emerging challenges and issues facing multinational enterprises. The book integrates the latest theories, thoughts and empirical evidence along with several case studies in international business in the 21st century. It is understood that countries view international business in different ways. The contributors reflect this by offering a wide variety of viewpoints and covering an array of issues, such as foreign direct investment, internationalization, trust and leadership, global education and knowledge transfer. Adding to its value are case studies ranging from American restaurant franchises on the world stage to the influence of the internet on Taiwanese SMEs. The book will be useful to scholars as a research resource, to practitioners as a modern guide and to students of international business as a comprehensive text.

MNEs have been involved in Thai manufacturing since the early 1960s but despite this significant involvement their role in the industrialization process remains a controversial issue. This book has three main foci: to evaluate the impact of MNE involvement in Thai manufacturing to gain insight into the principal mechanisms by which MNEs contribute to the industrialization process and obstacles that prevent them from functioning more effectively to recommend policies for maximising the benefits from MNE involvement. The key hypothesis proposed by the author is that gains from MNE involvement are conditioned by the policy environment of the host country. The scope of MNE involvement studies uniquely covers not only FDI but also non-FDI. The study also draws together valuable conclusions and outlines policy lessons for other developing countries. Multinational Enterprises and Industrial Transformation will appeal to post-graduate and advanced undergraduate students in subject areas of international economics, industrial organization, economic growth, development economics and Asian economic development. Professional economists, policy makers and researchers working on industrial organization, international capital mobility and economic growth issues in developing countries will also find much to engage them within the book.

The Handbook of Emerging Market Multinational Corporations focuses on why emerging market multinationals internationalize, how they do so and the advantages they explore and exploit as they internationalize. The Handbook highlights the requirement for new perspectives on theory and managerial practice to better comprehend this phenomenon.Internationalizing firms from emerging markets are sweeping the global economy. Here, expert contributors offer interesting insight into emerging market multinationals internationalization drivers, growth processes and expansion, and underscore similarities and differences between developed and emerging country internationalizing firms. Case studies from emerging market economies are presented, including corporations from China, Egypt, India, Thailand, Russia, and South Africa. Revised perspectives on internationalization theory are proposed, addressing changing global value chain configurations, institutional distance between home and host countries, the role of governments and preferred modes of entry into foreign markets. This theoretical, empirical and conceptual work is a fundamental point of reference for students and academics interested in business, economics and internationalization theory. Practitioners in internationalizing firms and policy makers within government and non-governmental organizations will find this discerning book to be of great value. Contributors include: Y. Aharoni, F. J. Contractor, A. Cuervo-Cazurra, M. Demirbag, L. Fernandez-Mendez , L. Gao, E. Garcia-Canal, M. F. Guillen, K. Kalotay, E. Lioliou, X. Liu, K. Meyer, S.R. Nair, P. Pananond, R. Ramamurti, J.N. Sheth, R. Singh, Y. Wei, G. Wood, Y. Wu, A. Yaprak

The choice of location for the production plants of multinational firms is an important issue, not least because this decision is accompanied by so many fears brought into public debate. This book analyses how foreign direct investors choose their locations, whilst exploring the forces which shape international economic geography. Although these two issues are, to some extent, inter-related, researchers have only recently acknowledged the similarity of economic geography and international business approaches to the empirical assessment of likely causes of the degree of spatial concentration observed in many modern industries. Giving insight into the direction that future research should take, this book contains state-of-the-art papers on both theoretical and empirical levels. This original collection makes a particularly important contribution to our understanding of the existence and impact of home market effects. Introducing a welcome synthesis between two related and yet rarely integrated areas of study using case studies of firms in Europe, US MNEs and the Mexican automobile industry, this book will be welcomed by both academic and practising economists. Regional scientists and economists, and those with a specific interest in international trade issues will also find the book enlightening.

In this seminal book, a distinguished group of experts pinpoint and rigorously analyse central topics in international business research. This volume will become a major reference tool for understanding the economics of multinational enterprise. The emphasis throughout is on a new dynamic research agenda, for theory, for empirical research and for public policy. The wide-ranging topics discussed include: * the importance of the location of production * market structure and multinational enterprise * technology, productivity and the multinational firm * multinational enterprises and developing countries * international business and public policy issues * analytic models. The juxtaposition of ideas will provoke productive discussions among faculty and at conferences, and will stimulate useful new thought processes in any individual researcher. This book will be required reading for academics and scholars seeking guidance on the future research agenda for the economics of multinational enterprise.

Since the 1970s, there have been many changes to the ways in which Japanese firms have conducted business. The editors of this volume examine the strategies of Japanese subsidiaries in the new global economy and present, in four parts, a comprehensive picture of the nature of Japanese multinational enterprises.The book addresses the overall nature of Japanese investment in international markets, and its broader implications for corporate performance. The entry mode choice and its relationship to performance is then examined, in an attempt to establish overall trends in the performance of various modes. The focus then shifts explicitly to joint ventures since nearly half of all Japanese subsidiaries take this form. Finally, the management strategies that Japanese firms have used in their foreign subsidiaries are investigated. Japanese Subsidiaries in the New Global Economy utilizes empirical analyses based on a very large, longitudinal data set, coupled with state of the art conceptual development. This volume provides a complete current picture of the international strategy of Japanese firms, which will be both useful and informative for researchers, scholars and policy makers in international business, international economics, foreign investment, joint ventures and expatriate management.

Multinational Firms and International Relocation addresses the impact of inward foreign direct investment on the host country and the extent to which it displaces jobs at home. Multinational firms in the United States, Japan and the European Union are focused on by a distinguished group of international business scholars who include Giovanni Balcet, Pierre-Andre Buigues, Wong Yu Ching, John H. Dunning, Edward M. Graham, F. Harianto, Thomas Hatzichronglou, Alexis Jacquemin, Terutomo Ozawa, E. Safarian, Philippe Saucier, Yoko Sazanami and Hideki Yamawaki. Issues addressed include European industrial relocations in low wage countries, US direct investments abroad, the strategies of Japanese multinationals, the impact of foreign investment on the domestic manufacturing industry of OECD countries, and multinationals and technology diffusion in South East Asia. International business scholars, business strategists and policy makers will welcome Multinational Firms and International Relocation for the combination of insights and analysis it offers on the strategies of multinational firms, the impacts of their relocation policies and the evolution of the delocalization debate.

Trust is increasingly recognized as a crucial aspect of successful economic relationships, albeit a difficult one to define, and Mark Casson has been at the forefront of recent research in this area.Mark Casson pioneered the use of transaction cost theory to explain the boundaries of the multinational firm. In The Organization of International Business, he extends the internalization theory of the firm to encompass, on the one hand, inter-firm networking and, on the other, the internal organization and managerial structure of the firm. The key innovation is the distinction between information cost - the cost of gathering information on the assumption that it is true - and transaction cost - the cost of ensuring that the information actually is true. This innovation facilitates a synthesis of transaction cost analysis and organizational behaviour. It also provides new insights into the dynamics of internationalization, and the role of learning in the growth of the firm. The Organization of International Business is a major extension of international business theory which synthesizes transaction cost analysis and organizational behaviour. Although it focuses on international business and multinational enterprises, the analysis can be applied to a wide variety of business units. Together with its companion volume, Entrepreneurship and Business Culture, this topical and wide-ranging book offers a definitive analysis of the importance of trust in economic life as well as the related concepts of networking, consultation and empowerment.

Analyzing the role of multinational investors in emerging Asian economies and the implications for regional economic integration, this astute study examines the increasing role being played by Asian countries in the global economy.Encompassing a large number of diverse manufacturing and service sectors, this book highlights the cultural and strategic challenges faced by multinational investors in the region in which they invest. It shows that despite high rates of economic growth in Asian countries presenting multinational traders and investors with unparalleled market opportunities, there have been only tentative moves towards regional economic integration. Areas such as trade facilitation, uniform customs clearance, removal of non-tariff barriers and labour deployment issues are yet to be adequately addressed. Multifaceted and multidimensional in approach, Emerging Asian Economies and MNCs Strategies will appeal to students and scholars of Asian economies and business management in the region. Its presentation of the sociopolitical and investment environment will also prove invaluable in informing business investors targeting southeast Asian markets. Contributors include: B. Andreosso-O'Callaghan, N. Callinan, C. Dathe, S. Dzever, W. Feng, B. Gupta, J. Jaussaud, J.-L. Mucchielli, F. Nicolas, R. Taylor, U. Uprasen, W. Wei, P. Yu, G. Zhao, B. Zolin