Can Latin American Firms Compete

In many discussions of globalization and growth, attention focuses on Asia, notably China, South Korea, and India. In contrast, 'Can Latin American Firms Compete?' looks at business developments in another key emerging market region, Latin America. It examines the success and failure that Latin American firms have met with, in their own markets and elsewhere in the world, the reasons behind these outcomes, and these firms' future prospects. Including contributions from leading international experts on business in Latin America, the book draws on concepts from organization theory, industrial organization, economics, marketing, sociology, and political science. It includes sections on broad themes of competitiveness in Latin America, micro-level strategies of firms in specific sectors, the competitiveness of firms in specific countries, and competing in emerging markets. Cases examined range in size and sector, and include some of the largest firms in Latin America, such as as Embraer in Brazil, Quiñenco (Luksic) in Chile, Techint in Argentina, Grupo Carso in Mexico, Cisneros in Venezuela, and Grupo Empresarial Antioqueño in Colombia. This well-informed book will be essential reading for academics, policy-makers, and those with a serious interest in business development in Latin America.

Can Latin America compete? Many argue that the macroeconomic and trade reforms of the 1990s merely put a handsome coat of paint over education, labour, judicial, and administrative reforms that remain incomplete. This book identifies ten factors that most influence the competitiveness of Latin American nations and will shape their economic futures.

This book studies the internationalization strategies of multilatinas, drawing on a survey-based investigation into their organizational resources and business environment.

The aim of this book is to analyze the quality of entrepreneurial management and economic development in the Latin American region from a microeconomic point of view. It seeks to explain the Latin American way of business management as well as envision ways in which Latin American businesses can increase productivity and innovation in order to successfully compete in the global market. Latin America comprises nearly 8.5% of the global population and represents over 8% of the global GDP, yet it is home to only 12 (or less than 2.5%) of the world’s 500 largest companies. In this volume, the author analyzes the unique dynamics of Latin American corporate culture to consider the particular obstacles to more successful performance. Drawing evidence from dozens of companies across the eight largest Latin American economies, he notes that Latin American companies have evolved in the context of a highly aristocratic and oligarchic society, dominated by patriarchal families from the upper classes. Corporate structure, especially in family-owned companies, is based largely on patronage and privilege and often characterized by unnecessary hierarchy, redundant responsibilities and poor communication and information management systems. Operating in relative isolation, with little incentive to invest in innovation to compete against foreign products has reinforced this conservative culture. Taking a fresh perspective that focuses at the firm level, with an emphasis on corporate administration, the author presents a compelling explanation for Latin America’s delay in economic development and offers insights for promoting innovation and entrepreneurship, identifying promising industrial sectors and improving productivity and competitiveness on the global stage.

In case you are not aware of, a diverse consumer market of more than 550 million people live in Latin America! These people, we all call Latinos, live, work and spend money, just south of the U.S. Border! However, I am not talking about Mexico, although is included, but there are many other countries, territories, islands and protectorates in the Latin American Region that await for your business. Within this huge market, there is hunger and demand for American and Foreign goods, technology, know-how and services. You might know the existence of plenty multilateral and bilateral free-trade agreements between U.S. and many Latin American countries, that are designed to offer your business a competitive edge over other European and Asian rivals. These trade agreements should propel you to enter or expand your business in Latin American. You need to know, that Free trade agreements help you compete on prices, quality, as well as offering prompt delivery of your goods and services to these markets. I have witnessed over my 20 years of traveling to the region, how U.S. technology, management, know-how, goods, and services from a wide range of industries have contributed significantly to the growth of Latin American economies. Countries like Mexico, Chile, Colombia, Brazil and Costa Rica, no name a few, actively solicit foreign trade investments from American companies. Another benefit to these trade agreements is consumer and industrial products find their way to markets and many factories are settled in Latin America to promote business and employment opportunities. Many countries of Latin America, now, enjoy political, government and economic stability unseen in past years. I want to emphasize that you can view the Latin American market as a conglomeration of markets, people, language, religions, economy, laws, cultures, and currencies that all may seem similar, but each country is very unique and different to deal with. Now you can learn from experience and existing resources How to go about doing successful business in the region! Lets get started!

Contains the results of peer reviews of the competition law and policies of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, and Argentina.

This volume uses the study of firm dynamics to investigate the factors preventing faster productivity growth in Latin America and the Caribbean, pushing past the limits of traditional macroeconomic analyses. Each chapter is dedicated to an examination of a different factor affecting firm productivity - innovation, ICT usage, on-the-job-training, firm age, access to credit, and international linkages - highlighting the differences in firm characteristics, behaviors, and strategies. By showcasing this remarkable heterogeneity, this collection challenges regional policymakers to look beyond one-size-fits-all solutions and create balanced policy mixes tailored to distinct firm needs. This book is open access under a CC BY-NC-ND 3.0 IGO license.