This paper examines theoretically and empirically the extent to which the decision by foreign firms to invest in a group of countries is influenced by economic factors, as opposed to political risk and institutional performance. We consider the importance of these factors as drivers of foreign...

This insightful book shows how small and medium enterprises (SMEs) from some of the traditionally less dynamic peripheral economies of the "old" EU--namely Ireland, Italy, Portugal and Spain--have responded to the twin challenges of globalisation and industrial restructuring. Through a series of...