Government and the Chemical Industry: A Comparative Study of Britain and West Germany

The strategic economic importance of the chemical industry is becoming increasingly apparent because of its links with other sectors of the economy such as engineering, electronics and health care which has made the industry highly internationalized. However, the problems within the industry, such as how it should cope with increasing political pressure for stricter environmental controls are also becoming more important. This book is based on research funded by the Economic and Social Research Council and explores the relationships within the chemical industry. The authors interviewed key individuals in firms, organizations such as trade unions and government bodies in Britain, Brussels and Germany and compared the pattern of the chemical industry's relationship with government in Britain and West Germany. They discuss the reasons behind the superior industrial performance of West Germany and find that apparent national differences are less significant than might appear to be the case. The decision-making of the European Community is analyzed together with the impact of national governments on the industry and its pattern of industrial relations. The authors aim not only to place the pattern of government-industry relationships in its historical context, but to provide new insights into a key industry, and offer important lessons on how internationalization is affecting government-industry relations today.