American Firms in Europe. Strategy, Identity, Perception and Performance (1880-1980)

Hubert Bonin and Ferry de Goey

The Americanization of Europe and the strategic initiatives of American firms abroad have been well studied. The expansion of American firms in Europe, however, lacked a comprehensive study. This book gathers the works of two dozen economic and business historians from across Europe, preceded by Mira Wilkins’ comparative essay. The collection addresses the timetable and pace of American direct investment in Europe, the patterns followed in each country according to the specificities of each industry and service sector, and the strategies followed by the different firms. The studies go beyond the facts, scrutinizing the immaterial aspects of this business history, especially European perceptions of American firms and the essential stakes of corporate images and identities. The Europeanization of American firms is a key issue, including social relations, management, commercial policies, brand image, connections and embeddedness. The authors gauge the reaction of public authorities and lobbies (industrialists and trade unions). Graphs and tables provide data, while overviews of ads published by American affiliates fuel analyses of consumer perception.

Hubert Bonin is professor in modern economic, business and banking history at Sciences Po Bordeaux and GRETHA research centre at Bordeaux University (France). Ferry de Goey is assistant professor in moderni western history (specialising in business history) at the Faculty of History and Arts, Erasmus University Rotterdam (Netherlands).

Published by DROZ