National Governments and Power Relationships in Multinational Companies: The Case of the EADS Group

Abstract

This chapter examines the role of national governments in the evolution of power relationships in multinational companies. The empirical study is based on a longitudinal analysis (2000–2011) of the EADS Group (European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company), which resulted from the merger of French company Aérospatiale-Matra, German company DASA and Spanish company CASA. The analysis focuses on the impact of national governments that were involved in the creation of EADS and national governments of emerging economies which have become priority markets for the company. The findings show that the political context has strongly influenced the balance of power within the EADS group.

Citation

Barmeyer, C. and Mayrhofer, U. (2012), "National Governments and Power Relationships in Multinational Companies: The Case of the EADS Group", Hadjikhani, A., Elg, U. and Ghauri, P. (Ed.) Business, Society and Politics (International Business and Management, Vol. 28), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 195-208. https://doi.org/10.1108/S1876-066X(2012)0000028017