This book addresses the evolution of the strategies, structures, ownership patterns and performances of large European corporations since the early 1960s. The authors study large and small countries, in order to understand how the process of economic integration has affected the patterns of growth and the structural characteristics of the largest firms. Drawing both on extensive databases and on case studies, the contributions in this volume address the peculiar specificities of large firms in different national contexts, adopting a longitudinal, long term perspective. This volume delivers the first results of an international, collective research effort undertaken by several national teams. The 'Mapping Corporate Europe' project aims to provide a detailed account of the structural traits of the European Corporation in a framework which includes (i) a chronological analysis over 50 years, starting with the Rome treaty in 1957; (ii) geographical extension beyond previous analyses for France, Germany and the UK, by including smaller countries; (iii) firms from other industries in addition to manufacturing companies; and (iv) attention to internationalisation of European firms. These analyses form the basis of a rich description of the developments of large European corporations over the past five decades, using both qualitative and quantitative approaches. This book was originally published as a special issue of Business History.

This book addresses the evolution of the strategies, structures, ownership patterns and performances of large European corporations since the early 1960s. The authors study large and small countries, in order to understand how the process of economic integration has affected the patterns of growth and the structural characteristics of the largest firms. Drawing both on extensive databases and on case studies, the contributions in this volume address the peculiar specificities of large firms in different national contexts, adopting a longitudinal, long term perspective. This volume delivers the first results of an international, collective research effort undertaken by several national teams. The 'Mapping Corporate Europe' project aims to provide a detailed account of the structural traits of the European Corporation in a framework which includes (i) a chronological analysis over 50 years, starting with the Rome treaty in 1957; (ii) geographical extension beyond previous analyses for France, Germany and the UK, by including smaller countries; (iii) firms from other industries in addition to manufacturing companies; and (iv) attention to internationalisation of European firms. These analyses form the basis of a rich description of the developments of large European corporations over the past five decades, using both qualitative and quantitative approaches. This book was originally published as a special issue of Business History.

Spurred by global macro-economic shifts, commercial and financial turbulence, as well as technological leaps in the early years of the new millennium, the Danish shipping industry has changed dramatically since the turn of the century. This book provides a new understanding of how rapid business environmental changes frame strategic choices and industry structures. The authors combine a conceptual chapter with three selected business history cases to apply a methodical approach to their study. Together, the five chapters unveil patterns in the development of Danish shipping which are historical and, at the same time, consider questions that address the present situation and the challenges of our time. In other words, this short book uses history for the purpose of understanding the present and to develop thinking for the future.

Spurred by global macro-economic shifts, commercial and financial turbulence, as well as technological leaps in the early years of the new millennium, the Danish shipping industry has changed dramatically since the turn of the century. This book provides a new understanding of how rapid business environmental changes frame strategic choices and industry structures. The authors combine a conceptual chapter with three selected business history cases to apply a methodical approach to their study. Together, the five chapters unveil patterns in the development of Danish shipping which are historical and, at the same time, consider questions that address the present situation and the challenges of our time. In other words, this short book uses history for the purpose of understanding the present and to develop thinking for the future.