For Europeans, as well as Asians and others, who hope to do business in the three countries of North America, this is a valuable guide, full of insightful and current information. The opening chapter traces both the historical and contemporary situation of the North American Trade Agreement (NAFTA) within Canada, the USA, and Mexico. It summarizes the actual agreement which may serve as a model for other such regional commercial efforts, such as within the European Union. For more open exchange of goods and services within thje continent, this 1993 document of trade understanding enables the three signatories to reduce tariffs and customs duties, so as to facilitate business expansion. Among the useful tables presented throughout these pages, the first three provide both the pros and cons relative to the agreement, plus a dramatic, demographic profile of the three nations involved, in terms of population and growth rate, ethnic divisions, religions, languages, literacy, labor force and age distribution, as well as actural trade figures. In its attempts to reduce trade barriers and foster free trade, NAFTA faces many challenges in this twenty‐first century, including increased threats of terrorism and hostile actions; protection of human and labor rights, as well as maintenance of adequate ethical and environmental standards. The agreement has contributed to the process of globalization; the growth of stable economies, new industries, and educational levels; the development of quality infrastructure and telecom networks. For 365 million North American consumers, it has improved access to lower costs products, services, and energy. Along with its progress, problems have been created related to labor force dislocations and migrations, reciprocal transportation exchanges, as well as certain disadvantages for the developing economy of Mexico. In almost a decade of NAFTA operations, this international cooperation has sustained growth and profitability among the three partners, but points up the need for greater cross‐cultural sensitivity and synergy if the potential of NAFTA is to be fully realized.
The other six chapters review NAFTA within North America in terms of globalization; cultures and values; effective management; case studies of best practices; the new economy and social inquities; and the process of consensus‐building within these countries. A helpful appendix for improving trading relationships under NAFTA is provided. Unfortunately, the volume does not offer a directory of resource contacts for companies seeking greater opportunities within the context of this significant trade agreement.
Although Uniting North American Business tells us little about its contributors, the senior author, Jeffrey Abbott, is director eCommerce for the General Electric Applicance Division of North America, while his collaborator, Robert Moran is a professor emeritus of American Graduate School of International Management in Glendale, Arizona. Dr Moran is a renowned global consultant and prolific author in the fields of international studies and transcultural communication. The work is another offering in Butterworth‐Heinemann’s Managing Cultural Differences Series (www.bh.com/management). It is the latest of some 15 titles, of which two complement this volume, namely, Eurodiversity and Succeeding in Business in Central and Eastern Europe.
