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 main thrust of Part 1 is to give some understanding of the concept of ‘global competition’. In doing so, the chapters rely heavily on industrial studies. Part 2 deals with two different aspects of this change viewed from two different perspectives. The one is economic and more macro: the other political and social and more micro, being concerned with the way in which companies have to utilize their various organisational units and integrate information on a fragmented environment into a strategic whole. Part 3 deals specifically with technology, as the particular segment of the environment which often has the largest impact on future strategies. In Part 4 the perspective of global competition is applied at industry, country and company levels and it is shown that this perspective adds new dimensions to old problems. The final parts address the problem of management in global competition.

This compilation of synopses covers research and demonstration projects on fuel cells and hydrogen related technologies, as well as supporting activities such as prospective studies and thematic networks. The projects concerned are those funded by the Thematic Programmes "Energy, Environment and Sustainable Development" and "Competitive and Sustainable Growth" of the 5th RTD Framework Programme (1999-2002), as well as those directly undertaken by the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission. For each project, basic information is provided with regard to the scientific and technical scope, the participating organisations and contact points. The scope of the projects covers a wide range of issues from basic research on materials, electrochemistry, etc. up to hydrogen pathways and validation schemes