1st Edition
Facilitating Transition by Internationalization Outward Direct Investment from Central European Economies in Transition
FDI has proved to be the most dynamic defensive and offensive response to globalization. This book provides an in-depth evaluation of the rationale as well as theoretical and empirical explanations of the outward internationalization of firms from the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Poland and Slovenia. The authors present the first broader empirical evidence on transition economies' OFDI and internationalization, evaluate the role of transnational companies from transition economies and development implications of outward internationalization for home economies. They put the experience of firms from transition economies into the framework of existing theories, study to what extent are the experiences of Austria, Portugal and Finland applicable to transition economies, illustrate general macro economic trends of the international business practices of firms from transition economies by case studies, examine the main determinants and barriers to the outward internationalization process, offer a representative set of cases and best business/government practices relevant for other transition economies, identify specificity in internationalization by firms from transition economies due to transition processes and systemic background and apply network theory as a complementary explanation for such internationalization due to former historical ties and cultural vicinities. A pioneering work on outward investment by transition economies, this book is the first in the world to present a more systematic analysis of the internationalization of firms from transition economies, based on results of the two ACE projects: "Outward internationalization facilitating transformation and EU Accession; The case of Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovenia" and "Networking Through OFDI" including also Poland and Estonia.
Biography
Marjan Svetlicic, Ph.D., Professor, is Head of the Centre of International Relations and former Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ljubljana. Matija Rojec, Ph.D., is a Senior Research Fellow at the Center of International Relations, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ljubljana. She is also Adviser to the Government, Institute of Macroeconomic Analysis and Development, Ljubljana.
'Given the significance of the development of the transition economies and the role of foreign direct investment in this transformation process, the authors have succeeded in carrying out a fascinating analysis of the outward investment of smaller economies, that should be of great interest to both academics and international business practitioners.' Professor Danny van den Bulcke, University of Antwerp, Belgium 'Much research has so far focused on inward FDI and growth. This book is quite refreshing and valuable as it carefully explores the newly merged and rapidly expanding nexus between outward FDI and structural transformation. It is an innovative and timely analysis, elucidating the early formative phases of internationalization of outward-driven entrepreneurial firms in transition economies.' Professor Terutomo Ozawa, Colorado State University, USA 'This is a pioneering and well-researched study on the outward investment development path of transition economies. All the country case studies contain a wealth of new data and fresh analytical insights, and the editors are to be congratulated in ensuring that the contents of the volume are both well integrated and eminently readable. I believe this book should be essential reading for all those interested in the structural transformation of transition economies and the role which outbound foreign direct investment may play in this process.' Professor John H. Dunning, University of Reading, UK '...this book is an intellectually stimulating collection of current research on the internationalization process followed by European transition economies...the book is a valuable addition to the literature of "globalization." The book is recommended not only to those interested in issues of internationalization but, and most important, to graduate Ph.D. students specializing in related fields.' South-Eastern Europe Journal of Economics
