The Business Environment of Europe Firms, Governments, and Institutions

The Business Environment of Europe is the first textbook to provide a complete overview of Europe's business landscape, examining the region's diverse economies and government policies within historical, political, and cultural contexts. This well-researched text examines the European Union and select European nations, and leads students to a full understanding of the structure and dynamics of specific industries, the impact of globalization on European companies, and the future challenges facing the region's business environment. Numerous tables, maps, figures, case studies and chapter-specific bibliographies support students with little background knowledge of the subject, and lead them to total mastery of the material. Ideal for business students seeking background on the historical and cultural foundations of European business, and for international studies students seeking specific information on European governments, policies and economics, this introductory textbook provides a comprehensive and interdisciplinary overview of the subject.

Acknowledgements; Preface; Part I. Understanding the Context of Europe's Business Environment: 1. Introduction; Part II. The European Union: 2. Origins, development, and institutional framework; 3. Political economy of European integration; Part III. Models of Capitalism and National Business-Government Relations: 4. Market capitalism; 5. Managed capitalism; 6. State capitalism; 7. Eastern Europe; Part IV. Government Policies and Globalization: 8. Promoting business; 9. Regulating business; 10. Globalization and global actors; Part V. Opportunities and Challenges: 11. Industries; 12. The road ahead; Glossary; Index.

Terrence R. Guay is Clinical Professor of International Business at the Smeal College of Business at Pennsylvania State University. Prior to earning his PhD, he worked in commercial and international banking as an assistant loan officer. His broad interdisciplinary background shapes his approach to teaching, research, and the writing of this book. At Penn State, Professor Guay teaches undergraduate and MBA international business courses, where he received the Fred Brand, Jr Outstanding Teacher Award - the college's highest honor for teaching. His research focuses on the competition between governments, international organizations, NGOs, and other non-state actors to shape business behavior and the international business environment, with an emphasis on Europe.