The Globalization of Business and Public Policy

The banking & financial services crisis in the USA and UK highlighted a policy deficit which has had reverberations across the global economy, including the growing threat of protectionism. Environmental, ethical and security challenges loom large, requiring policies to promote sustainability, and corporate and government governance, especially at the supranational level. It is an appropriate time, therefore, to examine and assess the public policy environment for international business, and to look to the future. Drawing on a range of theoretical perspectives concerning government intervention, this volume concisely reviews and analyzes the major public policy instruments pursued at different levels in the global economy - multilateral, regional/bilateral, and national - and with different foci - macro-economic, sector, and firm. Underpinning this analysis is an overview of the modalities of international business - principally trade, technology and foreign direct investment (FDI) - and of the role of international business in development. The book caters for specialist Masters and Doctoral level courses in international business. Based on sound theoretical roots, the volume is practically-oriented, and makes extensive use of boxes and mini-cases relating to sectors, firms and policies.