The economic power of Brazil, Russia, India and China (BRICs) is rapidly increasing, changing the landscape of global economics and politics. Top scholars of international business address in this vital volume the markets, strategy implications, challenges and possibilities of this new economic reality. As these four nations acquire greater economic clout, the opportunities for other countries increase. The contributors describe the favorable circumstances these evolving economies could provide for the US and other countries, such as expanded markets and services, higher returns on investments, and new partners in building a more peaceful and prosperous world. In contrast, they also discuss risks to traditional industries and possible challenges to positions on human rights and intellectual property protections, environmental standards, free markets and democratic governments. The volume emphasizes the need for companies to adopt strategies to stay ahead in the changing business environment. Governments must also design and implement new policies geared toward mutually beneficial relationships with BRICs. This enlightening study will be of great interest to students and scholars of international business. Executives of large companies will find it of great practical use when planning their organization s future strategies.

The author of this volume provides an insider view of the story due to her involvement with the [Russian oil] industry over a long period and her access to information from key players of the industry. . . the book is a welcome addition, especially for its sound story line. Anyone interested in the transformation of the Russian oil industry will find it a valuable work. It will also inspire researchers to analyse organisational transformation of other types of industries, especially electricity and gas in many countries around the world that have undergone radical changes in the past. Subhes C. Bhattacharyya, International Journal of Energy Sector Management Sarah Dixon has produced a fascinating look at the internal workings of four major Russian oil companies during the decade following their privatisation in the mid-1990s. Dixon has utilised her in-depth knowledge of Russia and her business experience in its thriving oil industry to gain access to Russia s powerful business titans. Her insights and careful observations have resulted in a masterful analysis of organisational transformation during Russia s radical institutional upheaval. The book is a valuable contribution to resource-based theory by explaining linkages between organisational learning, dynamic capabilities, and implementation of organisational transformation. Practitioners will also benefit from the rich case studies offering insight into constraints and enablers of organisational transformation. Sheila M. Puffer, Northeastern University, Boston, US Here the example of the Russian oil industry in the context of transition from a planned to a market economy is used to develop a three-stage framework for organisational transformation. Four longitudinal case studies of Russian oil companies are drawn upon to explain the process of organisational transformation. The book highlights how and why this process differs between companies within the same industry, explores the complexity of the change process and discusses the importance of the top management team. The links between organisational learning, dynamic capabilities and the implementation of change are analysed. An interesting insight into the constraints and enablers of organisational change is also provided. The framework developed from this study can be successfully applied to other organisations wishing to bring about organisational change. Integrating several perspectives, including a resource-based view, organisational learning, dynamic capabilities and top management team theory, this book will be of great interest to scholars and researchers of business and management, international business and organisational behaviour.

The internationalization of emerging economies has brought new perspectives to international business development. Focusing on the extensive impact these emerging economies and firms have had, this volume covers the strong players, such as Brazil, Russia, India and China, as well as dynamically developing economies such as Mexico and the Philippines. The contributors review topics such as the role of institutions and resource dependency on outward foreign direct investment from emerging economies, and the role of the global mindset and psychic distance on the performance of subsidiaries of firms originating from emerging economies. It explores new horizons in international business development and addresses challenging perspectives.

Transformations of Strategic Alliances in Emerging Markets: Volume I, deals with changes in strategic alliances in the complex settings of European emerging markets. It includes 40 years’ worth of data in its in-depth study of the changes in education, networks, work performance, and environmental factors in European transition region.

Transformations of Strategic Alliances in Emerging Markets Volume II deals with changes in strategic alliances in the complex settings of European emerging markets. It includes 40 years’ worth of data as it makes an in depth study of the changes in education, networks, work performance and environmental factors.

This book draws together leading experts to examine the key issues in China-EU relations. China-EU relations are increasingly complex and affected by a number of inter-related factors, such as China’s global rise, growing China-US strategic competition, US global withdrawal, the transatlantic split, the China-Russia comprehensive "alliance," and Brexit. The book highlights the struggles of both China and the EU to look for a dynamic and durable mode of engagement in an attempt to achieve the balance between opportunities and challenges, and between partnership and rivalry. International contributors explore how to conceptualise China-EU relations and identify their differences and commonalities such as the EU’s role in China’s foreign policy process and how the EU works with China as a strategic partner. Finally, it analyses China’s and the EU’s perceptions of their own present and future roles. Shedding light on the perspectives of understanding and change in China-EU relations and its impact on multilateralism, it will appeal to researchers and professionals working in International Relations, International Political Economy and area studies who are interested in the rise of emerging powers and the changing world order.

The phenomenon of globalization has been debated for decades. While some voices anticipate the demise of globalization and postulate about a return to former borders and glories, the realities of the world present the undeniable truth that we are all in this together. Unfortunately, it takes a crisis to move us from where we are, and the coronavirus pandemic has served that function. This book presents a straightforward commentary on the transformative impact of this global interconnective state of economies, business sectors, governments, and cultures. Drawing on insights from academics and practitioners around the world, it takes some of the mystery and anxiety out of common perceptions about economic, cultural, and social transformation and offers approaches for survival in the dramatically changing business environment. By taking a look under the surface of everyday rhetoric, we can have deeper, more meaningful conversations about where we are and reflect realistically on how business can succeed in a global world.

This text introduces students to core business concepts and comprehensively covers a range of key areas in international business.

Drawing on a range of European cases, this edited volume analyses the offshoring and outsourcing of foreign companies, with a focus on territorial embeddedness. The book opens by developing a theoretical framework and then presents a range of international case studies exploring the experiences of the service hub cities of Brno, Bratislava, Budapest, Krakow, and Prague. Attention is also given to internal and external determinants of embeddedness, with chapters on the employee perspective, the Fintech industry, corporate social responsibility, and the role of universities. This volume will be of interest to advanced students and researchers in regional economics, economic geography, innovation studies, industrial economics, European economics, and international business.

This shortform textbook provides a comprehensive overview of international economics and coverage of recent trends in the global economy to supplement students’ knowledge of this fast-moving subject area. Divided into two parts, the book begins by introducing the fundamental aspects of international economics (the international economic system, global networks and flows, the theory of international trade, trade policy, trade agreements, foreign exchange market, international factor movements, and developing countries) before moving on to focus on specialist topics such as the Covid-19 pandemic, the emerging economies of BRICS, and Brexit. Each chapter includes an essential summary, key terms, study questions, and references. The book is accompanied by a suite of digital resources, including a test bank of questions, PowerPoints slides, answers to chapter questions, and an instructor’s manual. As part of the Absolute Essentials of Business and Economics series, the book provides a straightforward way for students to learn about international economics, and will be invaluable reading for any student studying the global economy as part of a business, economics or international studies degree programme.