Perulli, Paolo (Milano) 1998

Global Networks and Nation-States.

The aim of the research project on global networks and nation states has been to compare different regional answers to common trends towards globalization. How the gap between global network forms of economic organization and regional or national forms of political regulation can be reduced has been the starting question. Globalization can be assumed as a trend which reduces variety or as a multiplier of variety. We are more convinced of the latter hypothesis. To evaluate differences as well as convergences we have considered comparable global network enterprises based in three "macro regions" (Europe, North America and Far-East Asia) and they interplay with regional, national and local institutions. Global enterprises' local embeddedness, social norms and ethics, and social capital have been compared. Different institutional abilities to cope with economic globalization have been investigated.

Different typologies of global networks (centralized/decentralized, coordinated/un-coordinated, mechanic/organic) have been tested and questions of comparability have been raised.
A first step of the research has been to write a "lexicon" of globalization and networks based on international literature and to compare different social facts (e.g. institutions of co-operation, trust, economic performance, social norms) which are currently defined under the same "globalization" label.
A second step has been to carry on three country-studies of comparable global networks based in Europe, the US and Japan.
Different national answers to common global challenges, as well as different interplay among enterprises, networks and institutions at transnational level have emerged.
A final step has been to produce a "matrix" crossing different countries and variables in order to explain different intensity, pervasivity and autonomy of global networks.

Published in: La citta delle reti, Turin, Bollati Boringhieri, 2000

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