The Nature Of The Transnational Firm

The Nature of the Transnational Firm brings together the major approaches to the transnational firm in one volume. Leading thinkers present overviews of a vibrant theoretical literature and assess the current state of analysis. Thoroughly revised and updated to take account the explosive growth of foreign direct investment in the 1990s, this volume will be welcomed by students and researchers of international business, international economics and business economics. Contributors include: John Cantwell, John H. Dunning, Edward M. Graham, Jean-Francois Hennart, Neil Kay.

This book brings together papers written by representatives from UN agencies and academics who take a fresh look at the expanding role of transnational corporations and foreign direct investment in the world economy. These papers deal with such issues as the nature and extent of globalisation, the shifting relations between transnational corporations and national economies, and the opportunities and obstacles facing policy makers in the rapidly changing global economy.

Drawing upon extensive field research in Hong Kong and Southeast Asia, this book focuses on networks of business and personal relationships as a key means of transnational operations. The book highlights the role of Chinese business networks in facilitating the emergence of transnational corporations from an Asian newly industrialised economy - Hong Kong. It is a timely theoretical and empirical contribution to the recent debate on the nature and operations of 'bamboo networks' within the global economy and their role in the rapid economic growth and regional integration among Asia-Pacific economies.

This book examines the process and consequences of telecommunications liberalisation in the context of an ever closer European Union. The creation of a single market for telecommunications and of a wider European single market mirror one another. Telecommunications are also something of a test case for the privatisation process, as this sector has traditionally been a state monopoly. The volume approaches the European experience from three angles: * the politics of regulation and the process of liberalisation in the EU (including case studies of the UK, France, and Germany) * increasing global economic interdependence makes international comparisons essential, and the volume compares the EU experience with that of the Czech Republic, Israel and Thailand * the consequences of technology and continuous innovation

Problems of development in what is normally called the Third World have been a subject matter of concern of the social sciences, lespecially of eco nomics, for over two decades now. 1 Between the late 1950s and the current time, as Chapter 2 attempts to show, the emphasis seems to have shifted from purely economic considerations of underdevelopment to a paradigm that includes other, extra-economic considerations of a social, political, and cultural nature. The recent emergence of development studies as a new social science discipline stems precisely from the methodological premise that development is a complex process that can only be adequately under of a stood, analyzed, and alleviated by a cross-disciplinary approach instead 2 wholly unidisciplinary one. We do not wish to challenge the above proposition. However, it remains of certain economic phenomena that pose problems true that an assessment of to developing countries can offer us greater insights into problems development, including the formulation of appropriate policies aimed at improving socioeconomic conditions in such countries. is restrictive business practices. This study is con One such phenomenon of restrictive business practices as they cerned mainly with surveying aspects relate to problems of development in the Third World. Restrictive business xiii xiv INTRODUCTION practices are not confined to developing countries; however, limited work seems to have been conducted in terms of relating the concept of restrictive business practices to problems of development. The existing evidence of restrictive business practices in the development process is quite fragmen tary.

'. . . an updated and illuminating analysis of the main forces behind the development of transnational corporations. . .' Nicola Acocella, University of Rome 'La Sapienza', Italy 'In the second edition of her authoritative book, this prominent figure in the study of transnational corporations has achieved an excellent job. . .' Wladimir Andreff, University of Paris 1 Panthéon Sorbonne, France 'Do we really need a specific theory to interpret transnational. . .corporations,. . . The answer is yeas and this brilliant and inspiring book by Grazia Ietto-Gillies explains why.' Giovanni Balcet, University of Turin, Italy '. . . Brilliant analyses and comparisons of basic theories in the field.' Mats Forsgren, Uppsala University, Sweden '. . . a truly complrehensive perspective of the development on the theory of transnational corporations. . . It is a marvellous and admirable work.' Masahiko Itaki, Ritsumeikan University, Japan '. . . offers vibrant insights on the convergence of different theoretical strands on the emergence, role and effects of transnational corporations. . .' Lucia Piscitello, Politecnico di Milano, Italy 'From my experience students like it as it enables them to capture in short time the gist of a variety of theories and offers them useful conceptual perspectives. . .' Slavo Radosevic, University College London, UK '. . . this book will be the outstanding choice.' Mohammad Yamin, The University of Manchester, UK 'This is an excellent book which dares to accomplish a challenging mission.' Antonello Zanfei, University of Urbino, Italy This comprehensive critical analysis of concepts, theories and effects relating to transnational corporations will prove to be an invaluable learning tool to post graduate and advanced undergraduate students across a broad section of disciplines including business/international business, economics, international relations, and development studies. Thoroughly revised and updated, the second edition of this highly acclaimed textbook includes new features such as deeper analysis of evolutionary theories, a discussion of Penrose and of the Network theory, and an additional chapter on innovation effects. Lecturers and researchers wishing to familiarize themselves with the theoretical developments of the subject will find this book to be an effective and informative teaching resource.

Transnational corporations (TNCs) have moved to the forefront of regulatory governance both within states and in the international arena. The Research Handbook on Transnational Corporations provides expert background commentary and up-to-date insights into regulatory frameworks impacting on TNCs at global, industry and national levels. Written by global experts in their field, this unique collection of essays provides in-depth understanding of how the forces of globalisation affect the world’s largest corporations, and how those corporations, in turn, shape globalisation.

Thoroughly updated and substantially extended, this internationally successful text explores transnational corporations (TNCs), their activities and effects, as well as the theories developed to explain them. Invaluable for courses as well as researchers in international business, international economics, globalization, international relations, economic geography and history of economic thought on the TNCs.