Aimed at senior undergraduate and post-graduate students following courses in International Business and Industrial Relations this book examines the labour market effects of multinational business. In reflecting the complexity and dynamism of developments in this area, the book makes clear the need to underpin analysis of the labour market effects of multinational business with conceptual understanding of the theory of multinational enterprise.

The book focuses on the major environmental implications stemming from the growth of the multinational enterprise in a multiple currency world; the international transfer of technology; industrial relations and labour utilization in foreign-owned firms in the UK; multinational companies and trade union interests; foreign direct investment, the balance of payments and trade flows; the multinational enterprise and developing countries; government policy alternatives and the problem of international sharing and a case study of a multinational enterprise in Europe. A survey of the background to the multinational enterprise and concluding summaries ensure that this book is one of the most widely embracing volumes available on the subject.

This book, based on extensive original research, examines the spatial structure and geographical implications of modern multinational corporations. It looks at the geography of multinational corporations, relates this geography to management and decision making structures and discusses how these items are changing. Exploring the themes of centre and periphery in the corporation it surveys the impact of corporate change and restructuring on regional economies.

Through a series of international case studies, the nature and the geographical implications of the development of multinational corporations is examined. The volume concentrates on the latter Post-War period of corporate restructuring and readjustment in response to world-wide recession in the mid-1980s. The volume is divided into two parts. In the first each of the chapters considers a particular aspect of the problem of how multinational corporations have developed. In the second part the chapters consider different aspects of the economic and social impacts of these corporations. The common theme that links all the papers is their emphasis on careful historical analysis of different forms of spatial organisation and their transformation into other, different forms.

In this book leading contributors look at the development of the evolutionary approach to international business, the internationalization of service industries and the implications of the changing face of Europe for international business in the 1990s. Providing an excellent blend of theory, analysis and case-study material, this volume is a vital resource for students of international business and related fields.

This book is a comprehensive study of the role of multinational corporations in the economies of the Third World. It begins by providing a comprehensive overview of the activities of multinational corporations and the main areas of research and debate. It goes on to discuss specific sociological, developmental and material effects on Third World countries resulting from involvement with multinational corporations. It includes case studies detailing the mid-twentieth century history and probable effects of specific multinational corporations’ involvement in Third World countries.

International in perspective, this volume provides insights into the important problem of how to transfer Japanese practice to Western countries. It also examines key aspects of Japanese multinationals and discusses how they are developing their global strategies and how they are managing their local workforces. Topics covered include relations with suppliers, governments and competitors, leadership patterns and business philosophy. The impact of Japanese multinationals on the local economies of host countries is a particular focus. The dynamics of strategic alliances, technology transfers and research and development centres are also discussed.