Strategic International Management

Abstract

This book intends to give a compact overview of the most relevant concepts and developments in International Management. Various strategy concepts of internationally active companies and their implementation in practice are the core of this book. It is not designed as a traditional textbook or a collection of case studies, but tries to combine both. The book introduces the complex and manifold questions of International Management in the form of 23 lessons that give a thematic overview of key issues and illustrates each topic by providing a comprehensive case study. The book is divided into six major parts. Part I (“Introduction to Strategic International Management”) lays the foundation by explaining basic concepts and theories of International Management. The growing importance of emerging country multinationals will be taken into account. In Part II, the influence of the external environment on Multinational Corporations (MNCs) is described, looking into market barriers and regional integration, the competitive advantage of nations and the influence of country culture. Part III focuses on the coordination of internationally dispersed activities in a Multinational Corporation. An overview of formal and informal instruments is given and some coordination instruments are discussed in more detail. Another core decision with regard to international activities, the foreign operation mode, is dealt with in Part IV. After an overview of the basic types of foreign operation modes, the three main options – market, coopera