The Single Market Programme as a Stimulus to Change: Comparisons between Britain and Germany (National Institute of Economic and Social Research Occasional Papers, Series Number 47)

Mayes, David; Hart, Peter with Duncan Matthews and Alan Shipman

ISBN 10: 0521471567 / ISBN 13: 9780521471565

Published by Cambridge University Press, 1994

About this Item

Condition : Good. Ex-university library with associated markings. Hard cover, no jacket. 243pp. No highlighting or annotations to text. Photo on request.

Seller Inventory # 944278

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Single Market Programme as a Stimulus to Change: Comparisons between Britain and Germany (National Institute of Economic and Social Research Occasional Papers, Series Number 47)
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication Date: 1994
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0521471567
• ISBN 13: 9780521471565
• Binding: Hardcover
• Condition: Good
• Dust Jacket Condition: No Jacket

About this title

Synopsis

This book offers an up-to-date analysis of the differences in the impact of the Single European Market (SEM) on the UK and Germany. It outlines the effect that the SEM was expected to have on the two countries and contrasts this with actual progress. This comparison is based on published data and a detailed survey of four industries. It shows that while the SEM has had an impact, many measures have had a far weaker effect than expected. The existence of other barriers not tackled by the SEM program, poor implementation, and delays all helped to mute the response; while German unification, global business trends and the recent recession helped dominate the impact of the SEM. Nevertheless, the SEM stands out as one of the striking influences on British and German industries for many years.

From the Back Cover

A comparison of British and German industries' reaction to the opportunities and threats offered by the Single European Market (SEM) is presented here. The book outlines the effect that the SEM was expected to have on the two countries and contrasts this with actual progress, based on published data and a detailed study of four industries: retailing, pharmaceuticals, insurance and machine tools. It shows that while indeed the single European market has had an impact, many measures have had a far weaker effect than expected. The existence of other barriers not tackled by the SEM programme - weakened measures, poor implementation, global business trends and the recent recession - helped to reduce the impact of the SEM. Nevertheless it stands out as one of the most striking influences on British and German industries for many years. Germany, with its geographical advantage, longer-term approach and stronger manufacturing, seems the better placed to benefit overall. But the less regulated and, in some respects, more flexible UK economy may have competitive advantages as the pressures increase. It is no accident that it has been chosen so frequently as the best site within the EC for investment by firms from non-EC countries.