1st Edition

Latin America's Quest for Globalization The Role of Spanish Firms

By Félix E. Martín, Pablo Toral Copyright 2005
    360 Pages
    by Routledge

    360 Pages
    by Routledge

    Investments by Spanish firms in Latin America have grown since the early 1990s by taking over many of the state-owned firms put out to tender. Second only to the United States, these investments make Spain one of the largest markets of foreign direct investment for Latin America. This multidisciplinary volume focuses on the emergence of Spanish multinational enterprises in this region. Furthermore, it analyzes the sociological and political consequences of these investments and exhibits several theoretical and methodological approaches that make the book a useful aid for teaching. It is essential reading for those who want to understand structural reforms, their consequences and the international impact of economic reform.

    Contents: Foreword, Ralph S. Clem; Preface, Eduardo A. Gamarra; Introduction. The role of Spanish firms in Latin America's structural reforms: 1989-2005, Félix E. Martín and Pablo Toral; Spanish direct investment in Latin America, 1960-2002, Juan José Durán; The advantage of Spanish firms in Latin America, 1990-2002, Pablo Toral; The transformation of the Spanish economy and FDI in Latin America: towards a new theoretical framework, Sebastián Royo; Spanish foreign policy in Latin America, Javier Maestro; The foreign conquest of Latin American banking: what's happening and why?, James R. Barth, Triphon Phumiwasana and Glenn Yago; Big Spanish banks in Brazil: anything different in their asset and credit allocation?, Harry M. Makler and Walter L. Ness, Jr; Spanish banks in Latin America: do they need each other?, Álvaro Calderón; Spanish telecoms in Latin America: Telefónica, Fernando Gallardo; Stakeholder impact of Telefónica's Latin American investments, Michael Periu, Jr; The prospects of Spanish investment in the Latin American energy sector: will the reconquest unravel?, Gustavo de las Casas; Challenges for Spanish investments in the Latin American energy industry, Carlos Seiglie; The socio-political dimension of Spanish direct investment in Latin America, Félix E. Martín; The Latin American image of Spain in the aftermath of recent investments, Joaquín Roy; Conclusions: challenges and opportunities of foreign investments in Latin America, Maria-Angels Oliva and Luis A. Rivera-Batiz; Index.

    Biography

    Félix E. Martín, Ph.D. is Assistant Professor in the Department of International Relations at Florida International University, USA. Pablo Toral, Ph.D. is Mouat Junior Chair of International Studies in the Department of Political Science, Beloit College, USA.

    'This is a splendidly written, well-organized, and carefully researched collection of essays on Globalization in Latin America. Its insights and perspectives merit attention from serious students of contemporary Latin American affairs.' Gregory Baker Wolfe, Florida International University, USA ’This is indeed a major intellectual accomplishment...This book is a path-breaking contribution because it analyzes conditions in the home and host countries in a multidisciplinary and systematic fashion...This is indeed a rare and commendable feat...Seldom do you find an edited book with such coherence across chapters...The diversity of disciplinary and methodological approaches provides an outstanding approach to the topic from several angles.’ Juan Carlos Dalmau Lliso, University of Valencia, Spain 'This book provides a rich and diverse set of studies concerning FDI in Latin America that speak to us at multiple levels. The newcomer to the field will find a wealth of information on recent developments, the experienced student of the region will benefit from in-depth analyses, and the more theoretically minded researchers will encounter a valuable source of ideas.' Luis Locay, University of Miami, USA 'Martín and Toral's book ably analyzes the expansion of Spanish companies and FDI in Latin America and introduces English-speaking readers to the extensive Spanish literature on this process.' Journal of Latin American Studies