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The Impact of Regional Trade Integration on Firm Organization and Strategy: British American Tobacco in the Andean Pact

Author

Listed:
  • Holden Chris

    (University of York)

  • Lee Kelley

    (London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine)

  • Fooks Gary Jonas

    (University of Bath)

  • Wander Nathaniel

    (University of Edinburgh)

Abstract

Processes of regional trade integration may have an important impact on firms' strategies and forms of organization. This article provides an empirical case study of the impact of regional trade integration in the Andean Pact in the 1990s on the strategies and organization of British American Tobacco (BAT), using internal tobacco industry documents. BAT conducted an integrated strategy by lobbying on tax and tariff rates and intellectual property regulations, whilst simultaneously adapting its market strategies and attempting to modify its internal organization. The company incorporated substantial sales in illicit markets into its strategy, and launched new legal export operations within the region, in part to assert ownership over contested trademarks. It attempted to significantly modify its internal organization by better integrating its national operating companies on a regional basis, but was only partially successful in this due to resistance from its powerful Brazilian subsidiary. Changes in intellectual property rules also intensified competition between BAT and its main competitor, Philip Morris, culminating in a legal dispute between the two firms and leading BAT to develop a more coherent strategy on trademark ownership. These findings raise implications for understanding, and regulating, tobacco industry activities worldwide.

Suggested Citation

  • Holden Chris & Lee Kelley & Fooks Gary Jonas & Wander Nathaniel, 2010. "The Impact of Regional Trade Integration on Firm Organization and Strategy: British American Tobacco in the Andean Pact," Business and Politics, De Gruyter, vol. 12(4), pages 1-32, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:bpj:buspol:v:12:y:2010:i:4:n:3
    DOI: 10.2202/1469-3569.1335
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. MacKenzie, Ross & Collin, Jeff & Lee, Kelley, 2003. "The Tobacco Industry Documents: An Introductory Handbook and Resource Guide for Researchers," University of California at San Francisco, Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education qt5c82b367, Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education, UC San Francisco.
    2. Aggarwal, Vinod K., 2001. "Corporate Market and Nonmarket Strategies in Asia: A Conceptual Framework," Business and Politics, Cambridge University Press, vol. 3(2), pages 89-108, August.
    3. Cox, Howard, 2000. "The Global Cigarette: Origins and Evolution of British American Tobacco, 1880-1945," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780198292210.
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