The Emerging European Enterprise

Controversial, challenging, and compelling, "An UnAmerican Business" presents a credible alternative to the globally accepted American way of doing business.

State-owned enterprises (SOEs) play an important role in Emerging Europe’s economies, notably in the energy and transport sectors. Based on a new firm-level dataset, this paper reviews the SOE landscape, assesses SOE performance across countries and vis-à-vis private firms, and evaluates recent SOE governance reform experience in 11 Emerging European countries, as well as Sweden as a benchmark. Profitability and efficiency of resource allocation of SOEs lag those of private firms in most sectors, with substantial cross-country variation. Poor SOE performance raises three main risks: large and risky contingent liabilities could stretch public finances; sizeable state ownership of banks coupled with poor governance could threaten financial stability; and negative productivity spillovers could affect the economy at large. SOE governance frameworks are partly weak and should be strengthened along three lines: fleshing out a consistent ownership policy; giving teeth to financial oversight; and making SOE boards more professional.

Though in its infancy, the European enterprise has the power to change both the perception and the actual face of Europe. This book evaluates the future potential of this new type of enterprise. The contributors look for European convergence at all levels of the economy: firm, branch, state, and EU. They stress various points of view, using diverse methods, and propose different measures.

The transformation, which is unfolding in emerging European countries is a unique historic event. In several countries, the transition has been quite positive; most analysts anticipate continued real growth in the coming years. While opportunities in that region are numerous, doing business may prove, as in any other foreign country, quite complex. Doing Business in Emerging Europe is a user-friendly guide to doing business in Belarus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, and Ukraine constitute a chapter. Brief overviews of Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Cyprus, Macedonia, and Serbia/Yugoslavia are also included.

This textbook examines the increasing impact of the European Union on the European business environment, addressing the core challenges facing enterprises in the formative years of the new millennium.

The new third edition provides readers with the fundamental theories and concepts for understanding how business is done in Europe, linking it to the current European business environment through a range of up-to-date case studies and examples. Revised and updated to include recent changes in the economic and political climate of Europe, and thematic perspectives on key contemporary European challenges, the authors also bring into consideration non-EU Business in the EU as well as the way Brexit is likely to affect businesses. Also new to this edition: Examples and cases from a wider range of European member states, including Tesla, Airbnb, Ryanair, Belgian AB InBev’s acquisition of British SABMiller, and the expansion of Alibaba Group in Europe. Enhanced material on business in EFTA and CEFTA areas. Analysis of the effects digitalisation, business analytics and Artificial Intelligence have on business in Europe. Coverage of the challenges and opportunities stemming from migration and the refugee crisis. A specific focus on the gig and shared economy. An investigation into how sustainability and climate change agreements impact on business. The book is supported by online resources for lecturers and students, including an instructor’s manual, PowerPoint Slides, multiple choice questions, class-based role play instruction guides, chapter summaries, and links to relevant videos and podcasts. Suitable reading for students on European business modules at both undergraduate and postgraduate level.