Japanese multinationals in Europe. A comparison of the automobile and pharmaceutical industries

Abstract:
This book presents a study of the regional strategy and management of Japanese multinational enterprises (MNEs) in Europe.

The work is organised over eight substantive chapters. Chapter one by way of introduction examines Japanese foreign direct investment and the interface between Japanese FDI and European integration, which produces three themes addressed in later chapters; in which country Japanese MNEs should invest, by which method Japanese companies have chosen to invest, and how Japanese MNEs operate their business in a pan-European context. Chapter two surveys the literature, both theoretical and empirical, on these three aspects. Chapter three explains the methodology of the research and illustrates why the automobile and pharmaceutical industries were chosen for the study. Chapter four gives the general background to these industries, the development of these two sectors in the EU and a general description of each MNE.

Chapters five to seven go on to analyse the location, investment method, and operation aspects, with chapter five examining the location pattern of European subsidiaries. Chapter six explores the entry mode of Japanese MNEs into Europe by looking at the actual entry mode used by the seven companies involved, the determinant factors for the selection of the entry mode, and a comparison of those findings with previous work. Chapter seven covers the management aspect of European business by Japanese MNEs. Chapter eight draws together the conclusions from the study and plants some signposts for the way ahead.

The work will interest scholars and graduates studying international business, economics and European integration.

Contents:
1. Introduction
2. Literature Survey
3. Methodology
4. Preliminary Comparison between Automobile and Pharmaceutical Industries
5. Locational Patterns of European Subsidiaries
6. Entry Mode into Europe
7. Pan-European Management
8. Conclusion