This textbook examines how service firms manage their international operations. For the first time, it brings together insights from the fragmented literature on this subject into an accessible textbook. Further, it is unique in its focus on service firms’ internationalization and international management.
Beginning with an overview of the international environment in which service firms operate, it subsequently describes multinational service firms and their internationalization processes, strategies and organization. Unlike most texts on international services, the book goes beyond internationalization to address the ongoing management of service firms. It not only addresses functions such as global service marketing, financial management and human resource management, but also discusses aspects such as global account management, global service delivery and international project management, as well as the topical issue of managing distributed virtual teams. A dedicated chapter focuses on offshore shared services and business process outsourcing. These chapters are complemented by a discussion on international corporate governance and corporate social responsibility.
The book is intended for students preparing for international careers in the service sector. Each chapter includes case studies, illustrations, highlighted definitions, a chapter summary and exercises.