Tony Elger and Chris Smith
- Published in print:
- 2005
- Published Online:
- September 2007
- ISBN:
- 9780199241514
- eISBN:
- 9780191714405
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199241514.001.0001
- Subject:
- Business and Management, International Business
This book uses research on Japanese firms in the UK to contribute to broader debate about the role of international firms in reconstructing contemporary work and employment relations. Japanese ...
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This book uses research on Japanese firms in the UK to contribute to broader debate about the role of international firms in reconstructing contemporary work and employment relations. Japanese manufacturing subsidiaries in Britain have often been portrayed as carriers of Japanese best practice models of work organization and employment relations. This research challenges this view on the basis of intensive comparative workplace case studies of several Japanese manufacturing plants in Britain. It develops an analysis of system, society, and dominance effects to identify the competing pressures upon such firms, and argues that factory managers have to negotiate the implications of these cross pressures. Thus, the analysis focuses on the ways in which Japanese and British managers have sought to construct distinctive production and employment regimes in the light of their particular branch plant mandates and competencies, the evolving character of management-worker relations within factories, and the varied product and labour market conditions they face. It also explores the scope and bases of consent and dissent among employees working in these modern workplaces. On this basis, it highlights the constraints as well as the opportunities facing managers of such greenfield workplaces, the uncertainties that arise from intractable features of capitalist employment relations, and the ways in which employment and production regimes are adapted and remade in specific corporate and local contexts. Finally, it assesses the strengths and weaknesses of three competing contemporary images of international subsidiaries, as transplants, as hybrids, and as branch plants.Less
This book uses research on Japanese firms in the UK to contribute to broader debate about the role of international firms in reconstructing contemporary work and employment relations. Japanese manufacturing subsidiaries in Britain have often been portrayed as carriers of Japanese best practice models of work organization and employment relations. This research challenges this view on the basis of intensive comparative workplace case studies of several Japanese manufacturing plants in Britain. It develops an analysis of system, society, and dominance effects to identify the competing pressures upon such firms, and argues that factory managers have to negotiate the implications of these cross pressures. Thus, the analysis focuses on the ways in which Japanese and British managers have sought to construct distinctive production and employment regimes in the light of their particular branch plant mandates and competencies, the evolving character of management-worker relations within factories, and the varied product and labour market conditions they face. It also explores the scope and bases of consent and dissent among employees working in these modern workplaces. On this basis, it highlights the constraints as well as the opportunities facing managers of such greenfield workplaces, the uncertainties that arise from intractable features of capitalist employment relations, and the ways in which employment and production regimes are adapted and remade in specific corporate and local contexts. Finally, it assesses the strengths and weaknesses of three competing contemporary images of international subsidiaries, as transplants, as hybrids, and as branch plants.
John Child and Suzana B. Rodrigues
- Published in print:
- 2004
- Published Online:
- September 2007
- ISBN:
- 9780199269761
- eISBN:
- 9780191710087
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199269761.003.0005
- Subject:
- Business and Management, Corporate Governance and Accountability
This chapter broadens current agency approaches by exploring CG in international joint ventures (IJVs) as investments that entail more pronounced risks than usual and ‘multiple agency’ problems. A ...
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This chapter broadens current agency approaches by exploring CG in international joint ventures (IJVs) as investments that entail more pronounced risks than usual and ‘multiple agency’ problems. A typology of those risks is offered, and appropriate CG structures are made contingent to the relevance of different types of risk, under the assumption of partners' preference for risk reduction. The argument, substantiated by various examples of IJV in China and Brazil, leads to the identification of four main governance configurations, and draws out the implications of these solutions for economic development.Less
This chapter broadens current agency approaches by exploring CG in international joint ventures (IJVs) as investments that entail more pronounced risks than usual and ‘multiple agency’ problems. A typology of those risks is offered, and appropriate CG structures are made contingent to the relevance of different types of risk, under the assumption of partners' preference for risk reduction. The argument, substantiated by various examples of IJV in China and Brazil, leads to the identification of four main governance configurations, and draws out the implications of these solutions for economic development.
Lars‐Gunnar Mattsson
- Published in print:
- 1999
- Published Online:
- November 2003
- ISBN:
- 9780198296041
- eISBN:
- 9780191596070
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/0198296045.003.0011
- Subject:
- Economics and Finance, Microeconomics
Stresses the embeddedness of the individual firm in the network of firms with which it necessarily has ties; this ‘markets‐as‐networks’ approach interprets the generic governance structure for ...
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Stresses the embeddedness of the individual firm in the network of firms with which it necessarily has ties; this ‘markets‐as‐networks’ approach interprets the generic governance structure for production systems to be multidimensional exchange relationships between actors, typically firms. A key notion here is one of coordination and interdependence in these long‐term—but by no means static—relationships, but in turn, it is argued, there are dynamic, indirect, and direct interactions between such relationships, and in a fundamental way, the relationships determine the constraints and opportunities under which the firm operates. The markets‐as‐networks approach is thus designed to incorporate both change and stability. The issue of different types of overlap between networks is singled out for scrutiny, especially as it relates to the international context. Applying these constructs, the author finds the approach to be especially well suited to improve understanding of the dynamic interaction between the international firm, and the international markets and industries.Less
Stresses the embeddedness of the individual firm in the network of firms with which it necessarily has ties; this ‘markets‐as‐networks’ approach interprets the generic governance structure for production systems to be multidimensional exchange relationships between actors, typically firms. A key notion here is one of coordination and interdependence in these long‐term—but by no means static—relationships, but in turn, it is argued, there are dynamic, indirect, and direct interactions between such relationships, and in a fundamental way, the relationships determine the constraints and opportunities under which the firm operates. The markets‐as‐networks approach is thus designed to incorporate both change and stability. The issue of different types of overlap between networks is singled out for scrutiny, especially as it relates to the international context. Applying these constructs, the author finds the approach to be especially well suited to improve understanding of the dynamic interaction between the international firm, and the international markets and industries.
Gerald K. Helleiner (ed.)
- Published in print:
- 1992
- Published Online:
- October 2011
- ISBN:
- 9780198283591
- eISBN:
- 9780191684456
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198283591.003.0008
- Subject:
- Economics and Finance, Development, Growth, and Environmental
This chapter examines the relationship between foreign direct investment (FDI) and trade orientation in developing countries. It also explores the exogenous influence of the FDI upon host countries's ...
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This chapter examines the relationship between foreign direct investment (FDI) and trade orientation in developing countries. It also explores the exogenous influence of the FDI upon host countries's trade orientation during the process of industrialization and the Brazilian experiences and the importance of exogenous influences on the growth and diversification of manufactured exports observed from the 1970s onwards. Finally, the chapter examines the global developments affecting international firms as a crucial element in shaping host countries' industrial and trade policies.Less
This chapter examines the relationship between foreign direct investment (FDI) and trade orientation in developing countries. It also explores the exogenous influence of the FDI upon host countries's trade orientation during the process of industrialization and the Brazilian experiences and the importance of exogenous influences on the growth and diversification of manufactured exports observed from the 1970s onwards. Finally, the chapter examines the global developments affecting international firms as a crucial element in shaping host countries' industrial and trade policies.
David Collins
- Published in print:
- 2013
- Published Online:
- May 2013
- ISBN:
- 9780199652716
- eISBN:
- 9780191746185
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199652716.003.0009
- Subject:
- Law, Public International Law, Comparative Law
This chapter looks at the trends in the regulation of outward foreign direct investment (FDI) from Brazil, Russia, India, and China (BRIC countries). The rapid rise of multinational enterprises ...
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This chapter looks at the trends in the regulation of outward foreign direct investment (FDI) from Brazil, Russia, India, and China (BRIC countries). The rapid rise of multinational enterprises (MNEs) from developing countries has been examined throughout this book. The BRIC countries' engagement in outward FDI seems to follow a standardised pattern. The enhanced ability of firms from BRIC countries to compete with international firms had led to ani increase in outward FDI. The increase in FDI from the BRICs reveals a developing consensus between the traditional capital exporting and capital importing countries. The MAIS represents an instrument of FDI liberalisation. The proposed MAIS treaty captivates the spirit of socially conscious investment while remaining true to the principles of liberalisation that underpinned bilateral investment treaties (BITs) as well as the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS).Less
This chapter looks at the trends in the regulation of outward foreign direct investment (FDI) from Brazil, Russia, India, and China (BRIC countries). The rapid rise of multinational enterprises (MNEs) from developing countries has been examined throughout this book. The BRIC countries' engagement in outward FDI seems to follow a standardised pattern. The enhanced ability of firms from BRIC countries to compete with international firms had led to ani increase in outward FDI. The increase in FDI from the BRICs reveals a developing consensus between the traditional capital exporting and capital importing countries. The MAIS represents an instrument of FDI liberalisation. The proposed MAIS treaty captivates the spirit of socially conscious investment while remaining true to the principles of liberalisation that underpinned bilateral investment treaties (BITs) as well as the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS).
Tor Eriksson and Niels Westergaard-Nielsen
- Published in print:
- 2009
- Published Online:
- February 2013
- ISBN:
- 9780226261942
- eISBN:
- 9780226261959
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- University of Chicago Press
- DOI:
- 10.7208/chicago/9780226261959.003.0007
- Subject:
- Economics and Finance, International
The differences in productivity growth between the United States and Europe since the early 1990s have been explained by differences in the speed of adopting the new information and communication ...
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The differences in productivity growth between the United States and Europe since the early 1990s have been explained by differences in the speed of adopting the new information and communication technologies and in making full use of the new technologies. The firm this chapter is concerned with is a large multinational firm in the pharmaceutical industry, the mother company of which is located in Denmark. Internationally, this firm faces strong competition from three or four other producers, so the company (AB) has been quite successful. Thus, the company is considered to be one of the big players in the market for the specific medicine it produces. The international market for the drug AB is producing is one of the fastest growing in the whole pharmaceutical industry. In Denmark AB is not only known for its successful performance over several years but is also widely considered to be among the best employers in the country because of its labor-friendly policies. Furthermore, AB is known for its corporate social responsibility and its focus on environmental issues in particular. But also equal opportunity and concerns for work–life balance are important elements of AB's profile. When AB opened a production plant in a new country, it to a large extent transferred the same company values to the new location. At the same time, AB had to account for differences in the economic environment its plants are operating.Less
The differences in productivity growth between the United States and Europe since the early 1990s have been explained by differences in the speed of adopting the new information and communication technologies and in making full use of the new technologies. The firm this chapter is concerned with is a large multinational firm in the pharmaceutical industry, the mother company of which is located in Denmark. Internationally, this firm faces strong competition from three or four other producers, so the company (AB) has been quite successful. Thus, the company is considered to be one of the big players in the market for the specific medicine it produces. The international market for the drug AB is producing is one of the fastest growing in the whole pharmaceutical industry. In Denmark AB is not only known for its successful performance over several years but is also widely considered to be among the best employers in the country because of its labor-friendly policies. Furthermore, AB is known for its corporate social responsibility and its focus on environmental issues in particular. But also equal opportunity and concerns for work–life balance are important elements of AB's profile. When AB opened a production plant in a new country, it to a large extent transferred the same company values to the new location. At the same time, AB had to account for differences in the economic environment its plants are operating.
