The Limits of Convergence ：Globalization and Organizational Change in Argentina, South Korea, and Spain

Publication subTitle ：Globalization and Organizational Change in Argentina, South Korea, and Spain

Author： Guillén Mauro F.;;;

Publisher： Princeton University Press‎

Publication year： 2010

E-ISBN: 9781400824205

P-ISBN(Paperback): 9780691057057

Subject： F406 Organization and Management of Industrial Enterprises

Keyword：贸易经济

Language： ENG

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Description

This book challenges the widely accepted notion that globalization encourages economic convergence--and, by extension, cultural homogenization--across national borders. A systematic comparison of organizational change in Argentina, South Korea, and Spain since 1950 finds that global competition forces countries to exploit their distinctive strengths, resulting in unique development trajectories.

Analyzing the social, political, and economic conditions underpinning the rise of various organizational forms, Guillén shows that business groups, small enterprises, and foreign multinationals play different economic roles depending on a country's path to development. Business groups thrive when there is foreign-trade and investment protectionism and are best suited to undertake large-scale, capital-intensive activities such as automobile assembly and construction. Their growth and diversification come at the expense of smaller firms and foreign multinationals. In contrast, small and medium enterprises are best fitted to compete in knowledge-intensive activities such as component manufacturing and branded consumer goods. They prosper in the absence of restrictions on export-oriented multinationals.

The book ends on an optimistic note by presenting evidence that it is possible--though not easy--for countries to break through the glass ceiling separating poor from rich. It concludes that globalization encourages economic diversity and that dem