This book, based on extensive, original, detailed research presents a comprehensive overview of the Italian multinationals and their activities during the 1990s. It: surveys the size, geographical and sectoral distribution of Italian multinationals examines why they went international, how and what they gained discusses the strategic position of Italian multinationals in the world economy examines the effect of multinationals investment both inward and outward on the Italian economy provides detail on individual companies

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.

This book analyses the multinational enterprise using the example of the world motor industry. It begins by examining the multinational enterprise in general, considering its nature, the economic theory of its behaviour and is effects on the nation state. It goes on to explore the growth and development of the multinational motor industry, and then surveys the state of the motor industry, and the role of multinationals in it, in various types of economy, using case studies from the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, Brazil and India.

The growth and proliferation of multinational companies has both imposed new responsibilities on and offered new opportunities to, the men who represent them around the world. This book dissects the functional responsibilities of the manager abroad in the light of his relationships with the home office and with his local environment, and explores the consequences of various types of relationships. The discussion is a practical one drawing heavily on a wealth of experience and actual case studies.

When it was originally published this book presented the first independent review of the critical role played by multinationals in Europe. Extending its focus beyond 1992, the book examines both the economic and business strategy frameworks the firms need to develop to maintain a competitive advantage. Using case-studies from specific industries, it looks not only at the activity of multinationals within the single market but explores the competitive strategies of non-European firms with special emphasis on Japanese companies which were poised to exploit 1992. The importance of interaction between multinationals and national government policies is also analysed taking into account the integration already achieved.

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.

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.