Book Description

This book examines the effect that globalization has on industry consolidation (and its underlying structure and competitiveness). As competitive pressures intensify and the concepts of efficiency, speed, and economies of scale and scope have become crucial for continued survival, industry consolidation is inevitable under globalization. Companies in globalizing industries will have to grow through mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in order to survive and remain competitive. M&A provides companies with immediate access to products, technology, customers, geographic markets, distribution channels, information systems, and skill sets.The Globalization Paradigm provides both a quantitative and qualitative assessment for over twenty global industries including airlines, automotive, banking, beverages, energy, financial services, media, pharmaceutical, telecommunications, and tobacco, providing crucial insights into their global strength, drivers, market share concentration, profitability, and level of M&A activity. Key benefits attributed to globalization include lower consumer prices, higher product/service quality, and continual technological advancements. However, the ultimate question that should be kept in mind is whether consumers, employees, and shareholders are better off after industries have globalized and consolidated than they were before.