Birth of the Multinational: 2000 Years of Ancient Business History - From Ashur to Augustus

This awardwinning book covers an impressive expanse of history so far overlooked in the history of the multinational and the world economy - from 2000 BC to 100 AD. Beginning with the story of the first known multinational enterprise in the times of the Assyrian Empire, the book traces the history of the rise and fall of the multinational enterprise through the four great empires of the ancient world: Assyrian, Phoenician, Greek and Roman. Using the eclectic paradigm - the leading theory of international business academics - the authors render varied and highly interesting analyses and insights. Professor John Dunning, the doyen of international business studies, sets the stage with his foreword.

Table of Contents:
The eclectic paradigm; reconstructing the story of the Ancient World; birth of Assyrian multinational trade - 1900 BC; the coming of the Phoenician corporate state - 1100-850 BC; Melqart, CEO - the first intercontinental investment - 850-600 BC; free-market revolution in the Aegean - 800-400 BC; the return of the hierarchy - the Roman republic - 400-146 BC; one form of economy?

About the Author :
Karl Moore, Visiting Professor at McGill University, Montreal; Fellow of Templeton College, Oxford University; and Visiting Professor at Erasmus University. David Lewis holds a Ph.D. in history from the University of Toronto and an MA in history from the University of Western Ontario.

Review :
"The ancient world gave us international currencies and the standardised shipping container. In Dr. Moore and Dr. Lewis's work we see much else with which we are familiar, and perhaps thought belonged only to modern times ... This is fascinating scholarship." Lord Sterling of Plaistow, Chairman P&O "... of great interest to two groups of people... those who are involved in international business (and) those historians who will add to their understanding of the societies they study through the clear analysis of the many and varied forms of commercial structures found in the different empires." Paul Vatter, Professor, Harvard Business School "Clearly, this is [a] ... book worth noting...contains many useful details...a good addition to many business school or university libraries." Journal of International Business Studies (forthcoming issue, 2001) "...a readable and fascinating perspective on early TNCs...a well-argued viewpoint...also on the issues of governmental jurisdiction in an era of an increasing globalization of commerce...an interesting, relevant and valuable perspective on a key contemporary business issue." Transnational Corporations "...a remarkable book. This volume is a major contribution to the literature on the history of the multinational enterprise...students of economic history...will find that the book opens new horizons." Professor Mira Wilkins, Journal of Economic Literature "...a timely and credible perspective on our contemporary global world...a very important contribution to the international business literature...very interesting research." Lars Bengtssom, Asia Pacific Journal of Management "This is a fascinating book...shows the value of creative joint ventures as it is written cooperatively by a business academic and a historian. The intertwined history of states and firms makes fascinating reading...there is much to benefit international scholars in reading this book." Peter J. Buckley, Centre for International Business, University of Leeds in International Business Review "Read this book and be intrigued." John Stopford, Professor of International Business, London Business School "For those who think that only last year's case is relevant to modern business, here is the definite answer." John Kay, Professor and Peter Moores Director, Said Business School, Oxford University "A must read for anyone interested in the evolution and future of multinationals." Vijay Govindarajan, Earl C. Daum 1924 Professor of International Business, The Amos Tuck School of Business, Dartmouth College "Fascinating insights on the emergence of multinational enterprise. Puts the whole issue of globalization in new perspective." Gareth Morgan, Distinguished Research Professor, Schulich School of Business, York University "Moore and Lewis use modern theory of international business to analyse Ancient Multinationals. The result is a major contribution to scholarship. " Alan Rugman, Thames Water Fellow in Strategic Management, Templeton College, Oxford University