This article reviews the different approaches which have been developed to explain the process of economic centralization and financial group formation. Entrepreneur-based views which explain this phenomenon solely on the basis of entrepreneurial stamma are seen first. Those currents which discuss the issues from the point of view of the firm are examined next, including neoclassical, institutionalist, managerialist and new institutionalist contributions. The third section examines some economic and sociological ideas which focus on a loosely defined concept of groups. Hilferding's theory of finance capital and its subsequent developments is then discussed. The article ends with a discussion of the themes and problems raised by this literature.

​The article sets out to compare the dynamics of the links between banks and industry in two developed countries: Great Britain and Japan. Four propositions are examined: there is a tendency towards linking financial and non-financial firms, linking manifests itself organisationally as financial groups, banks are in a dominant position, and that linking leads to a growing monopolisation of the economy. Our data shows that, in both countries, there has been a tendency towards closer links between financial and non-financial firms, but only in the Japanese case one can speak of the existence of financial groups. Available information questioned the domination of productive enterprises by banks in both countries. Finally, we also found that closer bonds between banks and industry led to an increasing monopolisation of both economies, although in the Japanese case this was the result of ma...

The paper presents the preliminary results of an international research project undertaken in Brazil, India, Mexico, Turkey, Thailand and Venezuela on whether and to what extent flexible automation (FA) has diffused lo developing countries, and what its impact has been on product, plant and firm scale and scope. It shows that while diffusion has been rapid in the countries under study, particularly in the case of computer-numerically- controlled (CNC) machine tools, it was far slower than in developed countries. The paper analyses firm data on product scale and concludes that flexible automation does not necessarily lead to reductions in product scale and increases in product variety or scope. While there has been an increase in the 'variety' of goods produced this has often been the result of the availability of a wider range of sizes in goods and due to vertical integration into the pr...

This paper examines sorne of the experiences in information and knowledge sharing involving MERCOSUR firms and the role of government in ensuring their success. The analysis of technological collaborations suggested that the better prepared a corporation entered an agreement the more successful it was likely to be. lt also pointed out that where interactions were intense, well intended and transparent; included personnel exchange; were properly assessed; and, involved receptive participants, learning progressed smoothly and partners were satisfied. Benefits of the collaborations included new patentable and non patentable products and new factories as well as building trust between partners. Governments can facilitate collaborations by providing a sound economic and political environment and consistent macro and sectoral policies. Government policies can help initiating and sustaining te...