Multinational companies in Latin American history

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

Abstract

This chapter uses the concept of the value chain to explain the historical evolution of the operations of foreign multinationals in Latin America between the late nineteenth century and the late twentieth century. The chapter argues that the decision by multinationals to invest in a particular segment of the value chain in Latin America (raw materials, production, marketing and sales, or customer service) was determined by the interaction between paradigms of economic development, global economic trends, and technological development. This explains the dominance of multinationals operating in the natural resources and utilities sectors between the late nineteenth century and the 1930s, the arrival of manufacturing firms between the 1930s and 1970s, and later in the 2000s, the return of natural resources multinationals together with multinationals oriented to customer service and retail.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationA Business History of Latin America
EditorsAndrea Lluch, Martin Monsalve Zanatti, Marcelo Bucheli
PublisherRoutledge
Pages233-250
Number of pages18
ISBN (Electronic)9781003407287
ISBN (Print)9781032522807
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 14 2024

Publication series

NameRoutledge International Studies in Business History

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Economics, Econometrics and Finance
  • General Business, Management and Accounting
  • General Social Sciences

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  • A Business History of Latin America

    Lluch, A. (Editor), Zanatti, M. M. (Editor) & Bucheli, M. (Editor), Nov 14 2024, Routledge. 304 p. (Routledge International Studies in Business History)

    Research output: Book/Report/Conference proceedingBook

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