International Markets and Global Firms

A Comparative Study of Organized Business

How do global firms relate to their international markets? How do firms create policy regimes favorable to them within the countries/regions in which they operate? Do business interest associations help firms in their dealings with government policies and the planning of business strategy? Is it in the best interests of governments to deal with associations representing the collective interests of an industry or with individual firms? This volume is the first international comparative study of the role of business interest associations, government politics and business strategies in the governance of an industry of great importance in the world economy--the chemical industry. This analysis covers the last two decades which have been characterized by extensive technological innovation, sectoral shifts in international trade and far-reaching social transformations. Interdisciplinary and multinational, this volume combines a developed theoretical framework with substantial empirical findings. For academics and researchers of political economy and the international marketplace, this volume provides provocative insights and direction for future research. "This book is a welcome addition to the literature bridging economics, management, and sociology. Focusing on the chemical industry, this volume makes an excellent methodological and empirical contribution to three areas of sociological interest: organizations and environments, the social behavior of economic actors, and comparative sociology. . . . An insightful and worthy case study of the relationship between firms and their social environments. . . . The overall picture that emerges from the book enlightens us in two ways. It provides a comprehensive view of the economic, social, and organizational context of the global chemical industry, and it greatly enhances (and helps recast) our theoretical and conceptual understanding of the social behavior of business firms. . . . This book makes a very important contribution to our understanding of business organizations and how they adapt to local, national, and global environments. It will appeal to those interested in organizations, economic sociology, management, and international political economy, and is well suited for courses in any of these areas." --Contemporary Sociology "An important contribution by a multidisciplinary group to an aspect of business usually side stepped by economists." --The Economic Times