Rival States, Rival Firms: Competition for World Market Shares (Cambridge Studies in International Relations, Series Number 18)

In this theoretically original work, two distinguished authors explore the mutual interdependence of states and firms throughout the world. They show how global structural changes - in finance, technology, knowledge and politics - often impel governments to seek the help and cooperation of managers of multinational enterprises. Yet, as Professors Stopford and Strange demonstrate, this is constrained by each country's economic resources, its social structures and its political history. Based on grass-roots research into the experience of over 50 multinationals and more than 100 investment projects in three developing countries- Brazil, Malaysia and Kenya - the authors develop a matrix of agendas. They present the impact on projects of the multiple factors affecting the bargaining relationships between the government and the foreign firm at different times and in a variety of economic sectors. In conclusion they offer some guidelines for actions to both governments and firms and some points to future interdisciplinary research. The Upheavals Of The International Political Economy During The Last Decade Have Fundamentally Altered The Relationships Among States And Multinational Enterprises. Growing Interdependence Now Means That The Rivalry Between States And The Rivalry Between Firms For A Secure Place In The World Has Become Fiercer. As A Result, Governments Have Come To Recognise Their Increased Dependence On The Scarce Resources Controlled By Firms.--book Jacket. In This Original Theoretical Work, Two Distinguished Authors Explore This Mutual Interdependence Of States And Firms Throughout The World. They Show How Global Structural Changesin Finance, Technology, Knowledge And Politics - Often Impel Governments To Seek The Help And Cooperation Of Managers Of Multinational Enterprises. Yet, As Professors Stopford And Strange Demonstrate, This Is Constrained By Each Country's Economic Resources, Its Social Structures And Its Political History.^ Based On Grass-roots Research Into The Experience Of Over 50 Multinationals And More Than 100 Investment Projects In Three Developing Countries - Brazil, Malaysia And Kenya - The Authors Develop A Matrix Of Agendas. They Present The Impact On Projects Of The Multiple Factors Affecting The Bargaining Relationships Between The Government And The Foreign Firm At Different Times And In A Variety Of Economic Sectors. In A Conclusion They Offer Some Guidelines For Actions To Both Governments And Firms And Some Points To Future Interdisciplinary Research.--book Jacket. In This Study Of Negotiation And Bargaining, Professors Stopford And Strange Synthesise The Insights Derived From International Relations And International Business. Rival States, Rival Firms Will, Therefore, Be Essential Reading For Students And Specialists Of International Political Economy, International Relations And International Business.^ This Work Will Also Be An Invaluable Resource For Managers Of International Business And Will Help To Explain To Government Policy Makers How And Why Foreign Firms Decide To Expand Or Contract Their Operations In Foreign Countries.--book Jacket. The New Diplomacy -- Structural Change -- Global Competition -- Dilemmas For Governments -- Local Decisions For Firms -- Social Cause And Consequences / By John Henley -- The Way Forward. John M. Stopford, Susan Strange, With John S. Henley. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 290-308) And Index. In this work, Professors Stopford and Strange explore the mutual interdependence of states and firms. They show how global structural changes often impel governments to seek the cooperation of managers of multinational enterprises, but within the constraints of each country's economic resources, social structures and history. Using research into the experience of over fifty multinationals and one hundred investment projects in Brazil, Malaysia and Kenya, the authors develop a matrix of agendas. They present the impact on projects of the multiple factors affecting the bargaining relationships between the government and the foreign firm at different times and in a variety of economic sectors.