Globalization has become a common phenomenon, yet one that many people experience as a threat not only to their economic existence, but also to their cultural and moral self-image. This volume takes an interdisciplinary approach to provide a theoretical overview of how business ethics deals with the phenomenon of globalization. The authors first examine the origins and development of globalization and its interaction with business ethics, before discussing the impact on and role of national and multinational corporations. The book goes on to examine the relationship between industrialized and developing countries, and explores the place of ethics in globalized markets.

Hitherto, the organization of international business has been studied mostly from a managerial point of view or by examining the relationship between firms and the economy. Yet, the development of the modern, multinational firm - the most important type of business organisation - has been strongly influenced by the conflicts that bedeviled the twentieth century. The volatile macroeconomic and political environments experienced by international business point to how important it is to study political risk. Consequently, Multinational Enterprise, Political Risk and Organisational Change: From Total War to Cold War breaks new ground: it argues that non-market elements and historical context are key to understanding the way international business has been organised. This edited volume offers an historical approach to analysing how multinational enterprise has developed over time and around the world, through a series of well-crafted chapters, on important topics in international economic and business history, written by authorities in their respective fields of study and research. The study is based on the underlying premise that the coming of the two World Wars, the devastating and long-term consequences of such total wars, and the ideological challenge of the Cold War acted as a pivot points in shaping the nature and character of multinational firms. By examining such phenomena, this study offers insights to anyone who has an interest in business, economic or political history, management and business studies, or international relations.

Multinational Enterprise and Transnational Regions offers an innovative approach to the study of the history of transnational economic regions. The Rhine valley is such a region comprising the cities and areas along the Rhine river and its tributaries. The transition from coal to oil that unfolded between 1945 and 1973 rapidly transformed the region, shattering some of the old river-based connections and creating new ones with the introduction of large-scale cross-border oil pipelines. Multinational enterprises shaped these new regional connections but divergent national government responses gave rise to differentiated development in different parts of the Rhine valley. Multinational Enterprise and Transnational Regions argues that processes of regional change should be understood from transnational interconnections rather than from local or national perspectives. This book uses a transnational business history methodology to tease out the region's transformation and to circumvent the national bias in public sources. It will be of relevance to academics and researchers with an interest in regional and transnational European history, international business, environmental history, and business history, as well as practitioners interested in the oil industry, energy and energy history, business history and international business, and associated disciplines.

This well-researched book examines how the European Union could do more to ensure that EU-based multinational enterprises (MNEs) respect human rights when operating in third world countries. Alexandra Gatto identifies the primary obligations of MNEs as developed by international law, and investigates how the EU has promoted the respect of human rights obligations by the MNEs to date. The significant gap between the EU's commitment to the respect and promotion of human rights, the potential to regulate the conduct of MNEs, and the EU's reluctance to impose human rights obligations on MNEs, is thoroughly explored. It is suggested that the current human rights law should be developed, and this timely book recommends that the EU should firmly link the promotion of MNEs' human rights obligations to international human rights law, thereby supporting the constitution of an international law framework within the UN. Multinational Enterprises and Human Rights will be of very great interest to scholars of EU or International Human Rights as well as NGOs and policy makers in international organizations and corporations that support corporate social responsibility and human rights. Contents: Introduction Part I: Multinational Enterprises and Human Rights: The International Legal Framework 1. Theoretical Framework 2. Multinational Enterprises as Addresses of International Law 3. MNEs and International Human Rights Law Part II: MNEs and Human Rights in the European Union 4. Multinational Enterprises in the Present European Union System and the Emergence of Corporate Social Responsibility 5. Internal Measures Addressed to MNEs 6. External Measures Addressed to MNEs Part III: MNEs and Human Rights in the External Relations of the European Union 7. The External Relations of the European Union, MNEs and Human Rights 8. Measures Addressed to Host States in the Development and Cooperation of the European Union 9. Measures Addressed to Host States in the Common Commercial Policy of the European Union Part IV: General Conclusions 10. Conclusions Bibliography Index

Countries adopt policies that attract foreign multinationals, stimulate industrial clustering and foster innovation. This book links these topical issues, examining activities of multinational enterprises alongside the efficiency, appropriateness and sufficiency of such policies. With new empirical evidence, it makes practical proposals throughout.

The book International Mergers and Acquisitions is an anthology that combines scientifically substantiated articles and practical experiences to a synthesis. Different points of view based on scientific research, business administration and corporate law provide the reader a holistic perception - continuative to the existing standard literature. Selected articles from and for scientific research and economy focus on topics, which are only addressed marginally in existing books. International experts were invited to highlight new perspectives and perceptions in international M&A processes. Therefore the articles deal with M&A activities in the new EU member states, Eastern Europe and Asia, legal aspects, break-up fees and corporate lock-ups as well as brands in M&A and IT aspects.

This book is published during a phase of crisis and transformation for the automobile industry across the world; this crisis is particularly acute in Europe and the United States. The book is written especially for the non-specialist with more than a passing interest in the sector, such as experts of other sectors, trade unionists, representatives of the corporate world, policymakers and public managers who deal with industry, commerce and public planning. The authors provide up-to-date information and assessments of what is actually taking place, with particular attention paid to the sub-supply companies. The main focus lies on four European countries, Germany, Spain, Sweden and Italy, each of which is significant for its different experiences. Finally, three important non-European situations, the United States, Brazil and Japan, are examined.

This book, first published in 1986, is concerned with the changing world environment for multinational business and the relationships between multinational parent companies and their subsidiaries which will be necessary to meet the challenges that are being faced. The study argues that key changes to the environment are: the revolution in manufacturing which has permitted cheap production in one location of complicated products for a world market; 'world product mandating', whereby all a company's country subsidiaries produce different product lines for the world market; pressure and incentives from host governments for technology transfer in their favour and for research and development facilities within their territory; the growth of highly efficient international trading and distribution intermediaries; and the complications of increased 'barter' trade arising from international debt problems and currency shortages. All this means that the management of multinational subsidiaries has to change. This book reviews the challenges and shows a way forward.

This book explores the limits of the idea of 'neo-colonialism' - the idea that in the period immediately after independence Malaya/Malaysia enjoyed only a 'pseudo-independence', largely because of the entrenched and dominant position of British business interests allied to indigenous elites. The author argues that, although British business did indeed have a strong position in Malaysia in this period, Malaysian politicians and administrators were able to utilise British business, which was relatively weak vis-a-vis the Malaysian state, for their own ends, at the same time as indigenous businesses and foreign, non-British competitors were gathering strength. In addition, despite the commitment of both Conservative and Labour governments in the UK to preserving British influence worldwide through the Commonwealth relationship, British firms in Malaysia received only limited support from the British post-imperial state.

Contents:
1. The eclectic paradigm in the global economy. John Cantwell and Rajneesh Narula
2. The eclectic (OLI) paradigm of international production: Past, present and future. John H. Dunning
3. New Instructional Economics: An organising framework for OLI. Elizabeth Maitland and Stephen Nicholas
4. FDI and endogenous growth: IB perspectives. Terutomo Ozama and Sergio Castello
5. The co-evolutional advantage: Strategic management theory and the eclectic paradigm. Anoop Madhok and Anupama Phene
6. From OLI to OLMA: Incorporating higher levels of environmental and structural complexity into the eclectic paradigm. Stephen Guisinger
7. From a theory to a paradigm: Examining the eclectic paradigm as a framework in international economics
8. Managerial beliefs, market contestability and dominant strategic orientation in the eclectic paradigm. Timothy M. Devinney, David F. Midgley and Sunil Venaik
9. The Micro-Mechanics of foreign operations' performance: an analysis based on the OLI-framework. Gabriel R.G. Benito and Sverre Tomassen
10. The eclectic paradigm and the recognition of finance-specific factors. Lars Oxelheim, Trond Randøy and Arthur Stonehill
11. The challenge of electronic markets for international business theory. John H. Dunning and Cliff Wymbs
12. The recent globalisation of the italian banking sector. An interpretation based on the ecelctic paradigm. Lucia Piscitello
13. OLI:a critical reflection and some conclusions. Lorraine Eden

Japanese automobiles dominate the Southeast Asian car market and, although European automobile policies have for a long time been highly discriminatory towards Japanese imports, their production methods have been quickly implemented by European makers and suppliers. This study explains the various influences of the Japanese automobile industry on industrial development in both Southeast Asia and Europe. In Part I, contributors examine industrial organization and policy issues in Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines and Indonesia, looking at Japanese investment and the relative policy successes and failures in these host countries. Part II looks at skill formation systems in the Japanese dominated automobile industry in Southeast Asia and in Part III the authors focus on the EU and the very different influence of Japanese investment. These discussions suggest that Japanese assemblers by no means stick to restricted business relations with their traditional suppliers but are open to cooperation with non-Japanese firms.

Contents:
Part I: 1. ASEAN Business Context 2. The Rise of the Multinational Part II: 3. Organizational Downsizing 4. Corporate Consolidation 5. Human Resource Management 6. Electronic Technology 7. Information Tracking Part III: 8. The Marketing Function 9. Product, Brand, and Pricing Strategy 10. Advertising and Promotion 11. Distribution

This is the first handbook to provide an overview of the major research perspectives in cross-cultural management and to look at how they can be applied to real-world situations. The volume is distinctive in bringing together perspectives previously considered independently, placing the work of management experts alongside contributions from leading cross-cultural psychologists, sociologists and economists. The editors have consciously selected cutting-edge contributors from a variety of countries.

The structure of the handbook reflects a systems feedback model of management. Beginning with the influence of national cultures on managerial and employee behavior, the volume goes on to cover strategy, structure, human resources, motivation, rewards and leadership behavior, interpersonal processes, and corporate culture and values. This allows the reader to see the issues within a dynamic and systematic context. The relationships between the chapters are elucidated by commentary from the editors.

This authoritative volume will be welcomed by managers, researchers and students seeking insight into cross-cultural issues and problems in and across organisations.

Contents:
Part I: 1. ASEAN Business Context 2. The Rise of the Multinational Part II: 3. Organizational Downsizing 4. Corporate Consolidation 5. Human Resource Management 6. Electronic Technology 7. Information Tracking Part III: 8. The Marketing Function 9. Product, Brand, and Pricing Strategy 10. Advertising and Promotion 11. Distribution

In the context of political tensions and rising economic interdependence between Japan and China, this book studies how Japanese multinational companies try to minimize damages and manage their own fear and uncertainty to sustain their business interests. Using a qualitative approach, including over 150 interviews with Japanese and Chinese business and industry leaders, combined with statistical analysis of unique firm-level data, this book brings a 'firm-level view' to this crucial case of political conflict amid economic interdependence. It argues that there is wide variation in the degree of material damages Japanese multinationals sustain in the aftermath of political disputes, and how threatening they perceive the risks of political conflict to be. This book then goes on to evaluate the different responses to risk, from promoting Japan's culture through privately funded tactics and building common cause with the government, to diversifying a portion of assets abroad and even leaving China entirely. Presenting a new angle on economic globalization in the Asia Pacific region, Risk Management Strategies of Japanese Companies in China will be useful to students and scholars of Asian politics, business, and economics as well as international political economy.

Corporate entrepreneurship involves new business creation within established companies, the strategic renewal of existing business, and, ultimately, the search for sustainable competitive advantage in an increasingly globalised economy. Yet it remains elusive for many firms. In a collaboration between a practitioner and academic, Joe J. Amberg and Sara L. McGaughey explore corporate entrepreneuring within a large conglomerate multinational enterprise: Siemens AG. In early 2009, following a prolonged period of business stagnation and a huge bribery scandal, Siemens' top management identified a severe lack of entrepreneurship as a critical issue. The strengthening of 'local entrepreneurship' became a new priority in the strategic planning for 2010 to 2014. By examining three contrasting ventures in the Siemens business unit Fire Safety between 2008 and 2012, the authors identify key drivers and impediments that sustain inertia in corporate entrepreneuring within this global organisation. This study offers an insightful contribution to our growing - yet still fledgling - understanding of corporate entrepreneurship in global corporations, highlighting the importance of context, interdependencies between critical factors, and the false promise of universal best practice.

For decades governments, politicians, and trade unions have feared that firms investing abroad involved a loss of employment and a decline in wages for the home country, the implied assumption being that global production and consumption are somehow fixed. Similarly, research on multinational firms has tended to present them as having a number of alternatives - export, licensing or foreign direct investment - for the exploitation of fixed foreign markets.
In reality, the complex relationships between parent companies and their foreign affiliates must be examined very carefully and with the most disaggregated statistics available if we are to get an accurate understanding of firms impacts. A major obstacle to this research has been the confidential nature of the necessary data. This collection, with contributions from many distinguished writers in the field, presents work which has been able to exploit relevant data for countries such as the United States, France, Italy, Belgium and Japan.

eBook available with sample pages: 0203166701

Today, the Multinational Enterprise (MNE) is seen as a leading agent in the process of globalization. As they adopt global strategies, MNE's are seen to be creating stronger, deeper and more lasting links amongst countries, thus shifting the balance of power inexorably in their favour, to the detriment of the state.
This book interrogates this idea by undertaking a historical analysis of the global strategies of Ford.

eBook available with sample pages: 0203165365

Affinity to the Chinese culture, personalized social networks and a firm control of ownership and management have often been considered the key ingredients for the success of many diaspora Chinese transnational enterprises in South China and Southeast Asia. In view of the recent Asian crisis and the rapid changes imposed by globalization, scholars are increasingly concerned whether these family-owned Chinese transnational enterprises would survive the challenges in the new millennium.

The first book-length treatment of theories, practical lessons, and the full set of critical issues that affect international joint ventures. It addresses culture, human resources, learning, legal, management, and research and development, and presents a full set of decisions and detailed guidelines for IJV formation and management. It also thoroughly analyzes 30 case studies.

Explores Korean foreign direct investment, putting forward a theoretical framework to explain why the Korean conglomerates felt compelled to invest in western, central and eastern Europe.

By providing a detailed analysis of the extent to which the McDonald's Corporation adapts or imposes its labour relations policies in Europe, this volume represents a real life case study revealing the interaction between a global multi-national enterprise and the regulatory systems of a number of different European countries.

First Published in 2001. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

Contents:
Preface
Part I Introdution
1. The theoretical foundations
Part II Multinational corporations from the resource abundant countries
2. The emergence of multinational corporations from the United States: The period until 1914
3.The evolution of multinational corporations from the United States: The period since 1914
4. The emergence and evolution of multinational corporations from Sweden
5. The emergence and evolution of multinational corporations from Brazil
6. Conclusion: The emergence and evolution of multinational corporations from the resource abundant countries
Part III Multinational corporations from the resource scarce large countries
7. The emergence and evolution of multinational corporations from the United Kingdom
8. The emergence and evolution of multinational corporations from Germany
9. The emergence and evolution of multinational corporations from Japan
10. The emergence and evolution of multinational corporations from Taiwan
11. The emergence and evolution of multinational corporations from South Korea
12. Conclusion: The emergence and evolution of multinational corporations from the resource scarce large countries
Part IV Multinational corporations from the resource scarce small countries
13. The emergence and evolution of multinatioanl corporations from Switzerland
14. The emergence and evolution of multinational corporations from Hong Kong
15. The emergence and evolution of multinational corporations from Singapore
16. Conclusion: The emergence and evolution of multinational corporations from the resource scarce small countries
Part V Conclusion
17. The emergence and evolution of multinational corporations: implications for theory

The first book-length treatment of theories, practical lessons, and the full set of critical issues that affect international joint ventures. It addresses culture, human resources, learning, legal, management, and research and development, and presents a full set of decisions and detailed guidelines for IJV formation and management. It also thoroughly analyzes 30 case studies.