Date: 2007
Type: Thesis
MNEs in the CEECs : shaping the microeconomic architecture of states in the context of EU integration : the cases of Unilever, Nestlé and InBev
Florence : European University Institute, 2007, EUI, SPS, PhD Thesis
CHOBANOVA, Yordanka, MNEs in the CEECs : shaping the microeconomic architecture of states in the context of EU integration : the cases of Unilever, Nestlé and InBev, Florence : European University Institute, 2007, EUI, SPS, PhD Thesis - https://hdl.handle.net/1814/10461
Retrieved from Cadmus, EUI Research Repository
Using Systems of Innovation Approach (SI) and International Business (IB) literature, this dissertation analyzes the level of embeddedness of Multinational Enterprises (MNEs) in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). MNEs are discussed as they link the economy of the host country with the global economy by their regional and global networks. The expansion and successful embeddedness of West European multinational firms is crucial for the industrial integration of CEECs into the EU. The focus of the study is on the largest food processing companies, which invested in the region : namely Nestlé, Unilever and InBev. The dissertation discusses the motives of investment and the entry strategies of food MNEs, outlines their contribution to the local development and stresses the national actors as forces to embedded FDI. The research discovered that EU membership facilitated the processes of global reorganizations of Nestlé, Unilever and InBev in CEE. All of the three MNEs, which form the object of this research, closed partially or completely plants all over CEE (and Western Europe). Hence, in a liberal trade regime it is very difficult to talk about long-term embeddedness of MNEs. It seems that the global strategies of the companies and the size of the market are the factor, which pre-determines the level of embeddedness of food MNEs in a certain economy and not so much the national actors and institutions.
Additional information:
Defence date: 13 December 2007; Examining Board: Prof. Martin Rhodes, (University of Denver/EUI) ; Prof. Colin Crouch, (Warwick Business School) ; Prof. Rajneesh Narula, (Reading Business School) ; Prof. Mladen Velev, (Technical University Sofia); PDF of thesis uploaded from the Library digital archive of EUI PhD theses
Cadmus permanent link: https://hdl.handle.net/1814/10461
Series/Number: EUI; SPS; PhD Thesis
Publisher: European University Institute
LC Subject Heading: International business enterprises -- Europe, Eastern; Food industry and trade -- Europe, Eastern