Managing the multinationals
An international study of control mechanisms

© Anne-Wil Harzing, 1999 - Published by Edward Elgar Publishing Limited, Cheltenham, UK and Northampton, MA, USA, 425 pp. ISBN 1-84064-052-9.

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Managing the multinationals provides a greater understanding of the ways multinational corporations operate in the age of globalisation. It is an in-depth analysis of the control mechanisms used by multinationals, and considers among other issues the structure and strategy of multinationals, the role of expatriates in controlling subsidiaries, the international transfer of managers, and international human resource management.

Using extensive data from over one hundred multinationals with headquarters in nine different countries and subsidiaries located in 22 nations, this international survey is one of the most important studies of its kind. It demonstrates that the control mechanisms of multinationals towards their subsidiaries vary according to the characteristics of their headquarters such as the country of origin and strategy. The author explains that the features of the subsidiaries, including age, size, role and functions, also affect the control mechanisms of the multinationals. From the empirical evidence it is shown that expatriates play an essential role in controlling foreign subsidiaries through personal control, socialisation of local managers and the development of communication networks.

This innovative book will be welcomed by those interested in the fields of organisation and management studies, international and human resource management, and international business.

Table of contents

Preface
Introduction

1. Theoretical building blocks
1. Control mechanisms in organisations
2. Multinational companies
3. International transfers
2. Integration, configurations and performance
1. Control mechanisms in MNCs
2. International transfers as a control mechanism in MNCs
3. Configurations and performance implications
3. Research design and methodology
1. Cross-cultural research
2. Choice of research method, operationalisation and testing
3. Mail survey process
4. Description of the sample and non-response bias
4. Results: Theoretical building blocks
1. Control mechanisms
2. Multinational companies
3. International transfers
5. Results: Integration, configurations and performance
1. Control mechanisms in MNCs
2. International transfers as a control mechanism in MNCs
3. Configurations and performance implications
6. Conclusion, discussion, limitations and implications
1. Summary of the main findings
2. Discussion & suggestions for further research
3. Limitations of the study & recommendations for future researchers
4. Implications for management

References
Index

Structure of the book

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