This book addresses major issues related to international enterprises and the world in which they operate from a socio-political perspective. Throughout the work, the author builds a coherent picture of the 'life' of an international, multinational firm from its birth through to its later 'personal' characteristics. Drawing on the author's own research and work in this field, in addition to work of other scholars, the book spans a number of countries in Asia, Europe and North America. Divided into three parts, the author examines the internationalisation of firms in all its guises and explores the implications of socio-political forces for the management of an international firm.