Organized around eras of global economic development, the text synthesizes research on the internationalization of firms, highlighting crucial turning points in the evolution of the international economy. A particular emphasis is placed on the relationship between historical evidence and the theoretical frameworks available for its interpretation. Each period is illustrated by a selection of short case studies from a variety of industry sectors, including the Levant Company, Nestlé, Singer, Saint Gobain and NEC.
An essential textbook for courses in business and economic history, this book will also be a valuable resource for scholars and students of international business more generally.
Andrea Colli is Professor of Economic History at Bocconi University, Italy. He is co-author of the textbook Business History: Compexities and Comparisons with Franco Amatori (2011, Routledge)