Description
Book SynopsisCritics and defenders of multinational corporations agree that the activities of multinationals are creating a global market that is rendering national borders obsolete. This book argues that such expectations rest on a myth. It explores the relationship between corporate behavior and national institutions and cultures.
Trade Review"When it comes to corporate behavior, the authors show convincingly that nationality is destiny. This is a timely and brave book."--Bruce Kogut, Harvard Business Review "This book provides excellent background reading for anyone interested in multinational corporate finance and investments."--Library Journal "This work is concisely yet lucidly presented... Recommended for all those interested in the global economy."--Choice
Table of ContentsLIST OF TABLES AND FIGURES ix PREFACE xi CHAPTER 1 National Firms in Global Commerce 3 The Appearance of Convergence 4 Innovation and the State 6 Domestic Structures, Multinational Corporate Strategies 7 Overview of the Book 10 CHAPTER 2 States and Firms: Conventional Images, Complex Realities 11 The Nature of MNCs 11 Global-Local Politics 14 The Policy Context 18 CHAPTER 3 National Foundations of Multinational Corporate Activity (I) 22 Corporate Governance and Finance 22 Comparative Analysis of the United States, Germany and Japan, 24 CHAPTER 4 National Foundations of Multinational Corporate Activity (II) 59 Innovation Systems 60 Investment Systems 74 Structural Context and Multinational Corporate Behavior 83 CHAPTER 5 The Strategic Behavior of MNCs 84 Technology and Commerce 84 Direct Investment and Intrafirm Trade 115 Interaction of Corporate Investment, Trade, and Innovation 133 CHAPTER 6 Corporate Diversity and Public Policy 138 Globalization at Bay 138 The Politics of Deepening Economic Integration 142 Public Policy and Increasing Complexity 144 NOTES 151 SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY 183 INDEX 189