Strategic Business Alliances examines key issues in the analysis, management and performance of international joint ventures using a sample of UK-European equity joint ventures. The authors consider the viewpoint of all configurations of the international joint venture - UK parent, European parent and joint venture management. Factors discussed include motives for formation, partner selection criteria, joint venture management, and control and performance, all of which have been identified in the literature as the core dimensions of joint venture activity.

The book also explores the emerging issue of learning in strategic alliances, as well as the sensitive question of cultural differences in the mix of factors that surround the complexities of modern international joint ventures. Empirical evidence examined by the authors suggests that learning and cultural differences are vital elements in the operation and performance of these ventures.

Given that inter-firm collaborative activity in an increasingly globalised world economy is a crucial aspect of the strategy of many firms, this book will be invaluable to students, researchers and academics with an interest in international business and strategic management. Managers and practitioners who require insight into the core dimensions of international joint venture activity will also find this book very useful.


The Global Factory

by Peter J Buckley

Published 23 February 2018
This book brings together the key works on the global factory - a unique approach to the modern global economy that focuses on the orchestrating role of key multinational firms that control an integrated international network of independent firms. This analysis is conducted at global system level, at the level of global value chains and for individual firms. These three levels represent consistent, nested approaches to the analysis of pressing issues of the modern international economy.

The Global Factory examines the internalisation theory of the multinational enterprise as it applies to global interfirm networks, and pays particular attention to multinational firms from emerging countries. It examines the governance and performance of global factories, their internationalisation and knowledge management strategies and the potential for multinational firms to address societal failures. The role of technology, the use of tax havens by Chinese multinationals and the division of entrepreneurial labour between global factories and smaller local firms are all explored as fascinating aspects of the overarching theory.

This is an essential point of reference on Buckley's work on the global factory for academics and students of business, as well as managers of multinational firms and public policy makers.