Economic Transition and International Business brings together academic experts in International Business and sheds new light on the international phenomenon of transitions in the worldwide economy. It includes both academic investigations as well as in-depth empirical studies. The purpose of the book is to investigate how international transitions reshape the environment, as they reallocate and renew activities, and create new strategies for actors and stakeholders. It provides essential insights into a number of contextual changes that organisations are facing internationally, and is structured around three complementary themes. In the first part, recent economic and financial crises are analysed and presented as revealing transitions for the business world. In the second part, the impact of these transitions is assessed at the level of various key economic players in today’s societies (states, business networks, companies, associations, etc.). In the third part, certain decision-making and managerial transitions are retained to illustrate the new deal linked to international transitions. This book is recommended reading for scholars and students in management and economics, as well as international business managers. They will find insightful information, either theoretical or practical, including various countries impacted by socio-economic transitions.

The work is a practical examination of fundamental strategic issues confronted by firms competing in newly opened markets. It covers emerging markets in East Asia, Central and Eastern Europe and the new states of the former Soviet Union.

In the era of globalization, foreign trade has an immense impact upon modern economies. To succeed in the global marketplace, sustainable development in trade practices is an imperative goal for countries to reach. Global Perspectives on Trade Integration and Economies in Transition is an authoritative reference source for the latest research on the dynamics of transitional economies and how certain obstacles can disrupt the effectiveness of the transition process. Highlighting the value of trade incorporation at the national and international levels, this book is ideally designed for researchers, professionals, government officials, policy makers, and upper-level students interested in the intersection of globalization, trade, and international economics.

Economic Transition and International Business brings together academic experts in International Business and sheds new light on the international phenomenon of transitions in the worldwide economy. It includes both academic investigations as well as in-depth empirical studies. The purpose of the book is to investigate how international transitions reshape the environment, as they reallocate and renew activities, and create new strategies for actors and stakeholders. It provides essential insights into a number of contextual changes that organisations are facing internationally, and is structured around three complementary themes. In the first part, recent economic and financial crises are analysed and presented as revealing transitions for the business world. In the second part, the impact of these transitions is assessed at the level of various key economic players in today’s societies (states, business networks, companies, associations, etc.). In the third part, certain decision-making and managerial transitions are retained to illustrate the new deal linked to international transitions. This book is recommended reading for scholars and students in management and economics, as well as international business managers. They will find insightful information, either theoretical or practical, including various countries impacted by socio-economic transitions.

Bringing together an international and multidisciplinary group of experts, this is the first comprehensive volume to analyze conglomerates and economic groups in developing countries and transition economies. Using sixteen in-depth case studies it provides a comparative framework for the study of contemporary process of privatization, economic and financial liberalization and neoliberal globalization. Exploring the various causes and economic, social and political effects of the rise of ‘big business’ in Asia, Latin America, Africa and Eastern Europe, the main issues that are examined include: the nature of contemporary economic concentration the relations between ‘local’ and ‘external’ investors the impact on development, and on economic and political control over its direction the new role of the state towards conglomerates and economics groups the effects of economic and political changes on the legitimacy of the state and large companies. This volume is perfect as either a textbook or supplementary reading for students at all levels, as well as researchers and governmental and non-governmental professionals working and studying in the fields of international business and economic development.

This is the first book to comprehensively summarize and extend cutting strategy research with a focus on transition economies. It provides a readable and refreshing overview for seasoned scholars and executives working in this field, as well as valuable insights for newcomers. The book combines theoretical rigor with up-to-date evidence on a highly relevant topic. Mike Peng is already one of the world′s leading strategy and management scholars working on transition and emerging economies, and this book adds significantly to his standing. —John Child, Guiness Professor of Management Studies, University of Cambridge, England and Visiting Professor of International Management, Tel-Aviv University, Israel "The widespread shift from centrally planned to market-based economies has been the most profound change in the world economy since World War II. While a great deal of work has examined the broad economic implications of this transition, far less work has examined its implications for firms and managers. In this seminal work, Professor Peng draws on his extensive experience in transition economics, together with his knowledge of strategic management, to describe how firms in these economies can seize opportunities for growth and success." —Jay Barney, Bank One Professor of Corporate Strategy, Ohio State University "A welcome contribution towards our understanding of firm – level issues in transition economies. A particular strength is the chapter-by-chapter consideration of how strategies vary depending on whether one is a state-owned enterprise, a privatized firm, an entrepreneurial start-up, or a foreign investor." —Paul Beamish, Royal Bank Professor of International Business,University of Western Ontario, Canada A comprehensive account of transition economies from a firm strategy perspective. Thoroughly researched and thought provoking, this book is a most valuable tool for both academics and business executives seeking to operate in this promising yet uncertain territory. —Oded Shenkar, Ford Motor Professor of Global Management, Ohio State University and Professor of International Management and Tel-Aviv University, Israel Business Strategies in Transition Economies probes into the workings of business strategies in former socialist countries in East Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, and the newly independent states of the former Soviet Union, which are collectively called "transition economies." It provides a rich and in-depth understanding of fundamental strategic issues confronted by domestic and foreign firms competing in these newly opened markets. Written by one of the leading scholars in the field, this timely book is comparative, interdisciplinary, and relevant. Focusing on firm-level issues confronting top executives acting as organizational strategists in transition economies, this book covers business strategies of 1.) state-owned enterprises, 2.) privatized and reformed firms, 3.) entrepreneurial start-ups, and 4.) foreign companies. Since transition economies, taken together, promise to be the world′s largest emerging markets in the 21st century, this book will be an invaluable resource for students, scholars, and managers seeking a better understanding of business challenges and opportunities in these markets.

This book provides a detailed analysis of how and why firms from economies in transition internationalize. The economic transition process is usually characterized by significant changes in the role of the state, the creation and promotion of privately owned enterprises, markets and independent financial institutions. This book provides insights into these phenomena and investigates the impact these changes have had on firm internationalization.

To date, the record of economic transition has decidedly been mixed. The worldwide political climate is still in favor of economic reform and the process continues to have considerable momentum. On the other hand, this process now faces a number of formidable obstacles. There appears to be general agreement that in many countries the promise of a better standard of living which economic transition offers to the mass of the citizenry has failed to produce the rapid and dramatic results hoped for. There is an increasing conflict of interest between multinational firms and the national business community. Moreover, many transition economies have experienced a slowing of economic growth in real terms and social services have been severely cut.This book deals with the development of those forces that have played a major role in the successes and failures of economic transition. Its distinctive feature is that it does this from the perspective of economic, political and social analysis, taking into account both theoretical constructs and economic realities for those countries which have attempted the grand experiment with economic transition.

Since the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, Central European economies have been moving rapidly toward a common set of goals: political democracy, market-oriented economies and integration into the European and international business community. For businesses, Central Europe offers a unique window of opportunity and, in particular, two comparative advantages: a low-cost qualified workforce and stronger growth rates than mature Western European economies. This opportunity, seized by local entrepreneurs and foreign enterprises alike, is a significant competitive threat to companies not present in the region, or who have not found alternative strategies for increased growth and competitiveness. This book addresses economic transitions in Central Europe and analyzes the problems of Central European integration in the European Union.

In a globalised world, where goods cross borders many times as intermediate and as final products, trade facilitation is essential to lowering overall trade costs and increasing economic welfare, in particular for developing and emerging economies. Facilitation efforts undertaken by various countries around the world also show that the benefits of such measures clearly compensate the costs and challenges posed by their implementation.