This book analyzes the role of external growth operations- mergers, acquisitions, accords- in the strategies of European firms since the past decade. It highlights that the wave of mergers during the 1980s was accompanied by a wave of accords which have now become essential in the game of competition. It also explains that prospects of a single market have led to numerous operations, but that some European firms have also adopted a strategy of globalization.

This book first examines external growth operations as a whole before later going into greater detail regarding 6 specific industries: automobile, automobile spare parts, chemistry, pharmaceuticals, electronic components and public electronics. The chapters that follow shall mainly deal with two central questions: How have firms used external growth to improve their competitiveness? What are the consequences on national and European competitiveness?

This book offers the reader detailed analyses and data regarding such questions and is destined for the use of students and researchers in economics and management and also for professionals and public policy makers.