Competitors in Alliance: Industry Associations, Global Rivalries and Business-Government Relations

By understanding the historical antecedents and current organization of industry associations, business and government will better be able to help restructure them and thus assist American industry more effectively battle foreign competition. Procassini, president of the Semiconductor Industry Association, maintains that American associations can, and should be reorganized by reviewing and comparing their origins and operations today to similar associations in America's two major trade competitors, Germany and Japan. Comprehensive, thoroughly researched, readable and anecdotal, this book is the first to focus on the role of associations in the global marketplace. A provocative and useful analysis for businesspeople, government officials, and members of the academic community concerned with the structure and practice of international commerce. The author compares U.S. industry associations to those in Germany and Japan in two ways. First, he looks at their past legacies and present mandates; then, with special emphasis on America's major high-tech industries, he analyzes their organization and operation. After a general overview of the past, present, and foreseeable future of associations, and a detailed study of those in the U.S., Germany, and Japan, he turns to specific industries — aerospace, biotechnology, semiconductors, and computer systems — and their trade associations, defining and comparing the characteristics of each. Part IV of the book digs into the ways in which associations fail, as well as succeed, in the mission demanded of them today. From this analysis and the author's extensive experience as a corporation and association executive, emerge a series of recommendations for redefining the associations' mission in today's global economy, and a blueprint for achieving these goals.

Table of Contents:
Preface Introduction Association Foundations: Past, Present, Future Legacies of the Past and Present Japan The United States Germany The Leaders High Tech Industries and Their Trade Associations Introduction The Aerospace Industries and Their Association The Biotechnology Industry and Its Trade Organizations The Semiconductor Industry and Its Association The Computer Systems Industry and Its Associations Characteristics of American High-Tech Trade Associations Designing American Associations for Global Competition The Approach to a New Design American Competitiveness and the Intermediate Sector Forming and Focusing the Primary Association Alliances and Consortia Operating the Primary Associations Designing the Association Bibliography Index

About the Author :
ANDREW A. PROCASSINI is president of the Semiconductor Industry Association, which is one of the most effective industry associations in the U.S. and the first to represent an industry that has recaptured world leadership from Japan. The author has had broad, high-level international management experience for a variety of major American and foreign corporations in the U.S., Japan, and Germany. He is a frequent speaker on issues related to international trade, technology policy, and global competition.

Review :
.,."An excellent job of explaining the historical origins and growth of industry associations in leading organizations, and your arguments for their contributions to enhanced global competitiveness are very persuasive. It is a very well-written, substantive book."-John F. Steiner Professor of Management California State University, Los Angeles "It is a splendid analysis of the role of the modern trade association operating in the global marketplace."-Murray Weidenbaum Chairman, Center for the Study of American Business Washington University in St. Louis ?Competitors in Alliance is the best--one is tempted to say, only--work of its kind, and is invaluable for all who would understand the issues.?-Electronic News "Competitors in Alliance is the best--one is tempted to say, only--work of its kind, and is invaluable for all who would understand the issues."-Electronic News