Internationalisation and Strategic Control

<p>This book is a study of the emergence of international business. It immerses itself in the topic of how companies can control income-generating assets in foreign countries the key element often used to define a multinational enterprise and propounds the notion that control of crucial dispositions by foreign companies can be achieved by other means than direct foreign investment – cash flow and portfolio ownership. </p><p>Internationalisation and Strategic Control analyses the extent to which a firm can control the investments of foreign companies in the field of supply and maintenance of production machinery. It achieves this through a case study of how F.L. Smidth & Co. global leaders in providing technology for the cement industry since the 1890s managed to achieve a vital influence over and control of cement-producing companies in Asia in the period 1890-1938. The study examines how this strategy was promoted by some internal and external factors and circumstances and hindered by others. </p><p>In highlighting strategic tools and initiatives other than cash flow and portfolio ownership the book applies concepts taken from a broad range of research fields covering social science cultural analysis micro history Actor-Network-Theory and industrial archaeology. It will be of interest to researchers academics and students in the fields of international business business history and globalisation.</p>