This is an exploration of the internationalization of the service sector through an analysis of the international growth and development of UK business service firms. The author traces the evolution of service multinational organizational structures within the advertising, accountancy and computer services sectors. The analysis of the survey and case study evidence provides important insights into the process of internationalization among UK business service firms. A variety of organizational strategies and structures are identified and subjected to examination. Drawing on theoretical literature concerning international trade and investment, and the organization of the firm, a framework is developed within which the internationalization of business service firms can be understood. The wider relevance of this framework is considered and suggestions for further research are forwarded.
Sprache
Verlagsort
Verlagsgruppe
Zielgruppe
Für höhere Schule und Studium
Für Beruf und Forschung
Illustrationen
figures, tables, bibliography
Maße
Höhe: 157 mm
Breite: 229 mm
Gewicht
ISBN-13
978-1-84014-154-2 (9781840141542)
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Schweitzer Klassifikation
Part 1 Introduction: aims and objectives; method; the structure of the book. Part 2 Internationalization of services - conceptual issues and evidence: defining services; international service transactions; the extent of service and business service internationalization; the value and significance of business services; conclusions. Part 3 International trade and foreign direct investment theories - application to services: international trade theory and service trade; foreign direct investment theory and service multinational enterprises; foreign direct investment and intra-firm trade in services; conclusion. Part 4 Organizational theory of the firm and the international structure and strategy of service firms: the organization of the service firm; strategy and structure in the development of service firms; the organization of international service firms; strategy and structure in the development of international service firms; conclusion. Part 5 The international business service firm - the evolution of an internationalization framework: why does internationalization occur?; how does internationalization occur?; what factors influence the organizational structure of international service firms?; a framework for the internationalization of service firms. Part 6 Internationalization of business services - an overview of advertising, accountancy and computer services: internationalization of advertising services; internationalization of accountancy services; internationalization of computer services; conclusion. Part 7 The UK business services sector - survey framework: the UK business services sector; research aims and hypotheses; framework of the postal questionnaire; characteristics of the sample; conclusion. Part 8 The internationalization of the UK business services sector - survey results: diversification and internationalization; an evolutionary approach to internationalization?; international clients - internationalization business service firms?; location and internationalization; ownership and autonomy of overseas establishments; business service sector FDI - market-oriented or resource-oriented; conclusion. Part 9 Multinational structures and strategies in the business services sector: advertising firms; accountancy firms; computer service firms; multinational structures and strategies in the UK business services sector; conclusion. Part 10 A model for business service firm multinationalization: an evolutionary approach to business service firm internationalization; explaining trade and FDI in business services; the role of intra-firm trade in the multinationalization of business service firms; multinational organizational structures in the business services sector; conclusion. Part 11 Conclusion: the international competitiveness of the UK business services sector; the development of a theory for the internationalization of service activity; policy implications; final conclusions; appendices.
