Diversification and Internationalization in the European Single Market: The British Exception.

Mayer, M., Hautz, J., Stadler, C., & Whittington, R. (2017). Diversification and Internationalization in the European Single Market: The British Exception. Business History Review, 1-21. doi:10.1017/S000768051700071X

24 Pages Posted: 26 Jun 2017

See all articles by Michael Mayer

Michael Mayer

University of Bath - School of Management

Julia Hautz

University of Innsbruck

Christian Stadler

University of Warwick - Warwick Business School

Richard Whittington

University of Oxford - Said Business School

Date Written: June 23, 2017

Abstract

This article examines the long-run impact of the 1992 completion of the European Single Market on the diversification and internationalization of European business. It does so at a particular moment of crisis: the exit of the United Kingdom from European Union (“Brexit”). The article finds that completion of the European Single Market is indeed associated with significant and widespread changes in the strategies of European businesses between 1993 and 2010. European business has converged on more focused diversification strategies and followed similar patterns of internationalization. The most significant exception is the consistently low level of British business’s commitment to European markets. The distinctiveness of British internationalization is, in a sense, Brexit foretold.

Keywords: Diversification, Internationalization, European Single Market

Suggested Citation

Mayer, Michael and Hautz, Julia and Stadler, Christian and Whittington, Richard, Diversification and Internationalization in the European Single Market: The British Exception. (June 23, 2017). Mayer, M., Hautz, J., Stadler, C., & Whittington, R. (2017). Diversification and Internationalization in the European Single Market: The British Exception. Business History Review, 1-21. doi:10.1017/S000768051700071X, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2991872

Michael Mayer

University of Bath - School of Management ( email )

Claverton Down
Bath, BA2 7AY
United Kingdom

Julia Hautz

University of Innsbruck ( email )

Universitätsstraße 15
Innsbruck, Innsbruck 6020
Austria

Christian Stadler (Contact Author)

University of Warwick - Warwick Business School ( email )

Coventry CV4 7AL
United Kingdom

HOME PAGE: http://www.wbs.ac.uk/about/person/christian-stadler/

Richard Whittington

University of Oxford - Said Business School ( email )

Park End Street
Oxford, OX1 1HP
Great Britain

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