As Europe moves towards greater integration there is increasing recognition of national "differences "in European business - because of significant diversity in national cultures and social institutions affecting business systems. This book explores key characteristics of firms and markets in eight European countries - Denmark, Finland, The Netherlands and Germany compared with Britain, Sweden, Italy and France. Some contributors focus on overall business patterns in the countries concerned while others examine particular industries and sectors to consider the relationship between national influences and cross-national sector developments. To provide a European/East Asian comparison one contribution looks at firms and strategies in Japan and Hong Kong.

Applying the new economics of organisation and relational theories of the firm to the problem of understanding cross-national variation in the political economy, this volume elaborates a new understanding of the institutional differences that characterise the 'varieties of capitalism' worldwide.

The third edition of European Business is published at a time of turbulence in Europe. This uncertainty puts Europe's unique business environment at risk. Key features of the new edition include: assessments of how individual member states affect the integration process and bring diversity to European business; new material on the links between Europe and the World’s other main regions, including emerging economies; new case studies on topics such as the rise of the BRICs, the energy crisis, enlargement and the Euro. The book retains popular pedagogical features to help students make sense of a confusing and complex environment. A unique and accessible text, the book is ideal reading for students of European and International Business and important additional reading for those interested in European politics and economics.

Specifics of Decision Making in Modern Business Systems focuses on the regularities and tendencies that are peculiar for the modern Russian practice of decision making in business systems, as well as the authors’ solutions for its optimization in view of new challenges and possibilities.

The only comprehensive textbook on Europe's business environment, examining the region's economics and policies in social, political and historical contexts.

In this major contribution to comparative-international business Richard Whitley compares and contrasts the dominant characteristics of firms and markets in Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and Hong Kong, relating these to their particular social, political and economic contexts. At the level of the firm he looks at such areas as management styles and structures, decision-making processes, owner-employee relations, and patterns of company growth and development. He also discusses market development, customer, supplier and inter-firm relations, and the roles of the financial sectors and the state in market and industry development. The book also examines the ways in which key social institutions in each country have affected the evolution of business. Finally, the author makes a comparison of East Asian business systems with dominant Western practices.

Specifics of Decision Making in Modern Business Systems focuses on the regularities and tendencies that are peculiar for the modern Russian practice of decision making in business systems, as well as the authors’ solutions for its optimization in view of new challenges and possibilities.