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Abstract:
In the debate on the varieties of capitalism, most attention is given to large corporations. If listed on capital markets, they are not only a preferred target of new actors and rules, but are also perceived as a driving force for institutional change and globalization. Most, if not all, institutional features of the distinct versions of capitalism have been analyzed only with regard to this type of enterprise. This book takes the view that European capitalism cannot be understood without taking small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) into account. It argues that the neglect of size differences of firms in various literature has led to shortfalls in understanding the institutional framework and has obscured an important area of institutional and corporate change. This volume employs a comparative perspective to explore the impact of the institutional and structural changes on corporate governance, management culture, and social relationships in SMEs in different European countries.
Contents:
Why should the Varieties Literature Grant Smaller Firms more Attention? An Introduction - K.Bluhm & R.Schmidt
PART I: CHANGING FINANCING, OWNERSHIP AND FIRM MANAGEMENT
The Power of Financial Markets: What does that Mean and how does it Work for Different Categories of Companies? - J.Kädtler & M.Faust
Change within Traditional Channels: German SMEs, the Restructuring of the Banking Sector, and the Growing Shareholder-value Orientation - K.Bluhm & B.Martens
Corporate Financing, Management and Organization: An Anglo-German Comparison - M.Geppert & B.Martens
Stakeholder or Shareholder Orientation? Entrepreneurial Careers and Value Preferences of Entrepreneurs in East Germany - R.Lang
SMEs in France: Perspectives and New Generation of Small Business Owners - A.Fayolle & S.Fattoum
Family Business and Family Change: The End of Patriarchalism - H.Kotthoff
PART II: SMES IN GLOBALIZED PRODUCTION NETWORKS
SMEs in the Global Economy: A Comparison of the Global Production Networks of German and British Clothing Firms - C.Lane & J.Probert
Flexibility and Formalization: Rethinking Space and Governance in Corporations and Manufacturing Regions - G.Herrigel
Innovation Strategies of Non-research SMEs in Europe - H.Hirsch-Kreinsen
From the ‘Wild West’ Towards Europe: SMEs in Poland - T.Borkowski & A.Marcinkowski
PART III: LABOUR RELATIONS IN CHANGE
Structural Changes and New Forms of Social Regulation in the ‘Third Italy’- V. Telljohann
Polish SMEs at a Crossroads: Market Strategies and Labour Relations in Global Competition - R-E.Lungwitz, M.Wannöffel & Y.Rückert
Unravelling Regulation: How Production Relocation to the East Impacts the German Model of Labour Relations; M.Fichter
Irregular Forms of Interest Representation in SMEs: A German-French Comparison - I.Artus
Social Relationships in German SMEs: An East-west Comparison - R.Schmidt
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