Overview

If a book needs a third edition, because the previous ones are sold out, one may well question whether an introduction is necessary. However, the Structure of European Industry was meant to be a flexible book, keeping it in tune with actual developments in the European Community. Some explanation is therefore required. Two new chapters on the services industry have been included, to recognize the growing importance of what is fundamentally a bundle of industries. It is also increasingly acknowledged, that the motorcar industry, for its efficiency and innovativeness, is very much dependent on the numerous suppliers, large and small, of the component parts industry. A chapter, reflecting on the strengths and weaknesses of the European car supplying industries is therefore most welcome. Finally, European competition policy, now fitted out with the Merger Control Regulation is moving more and more towards the centre of stage and the final chapter presents a survey of the ims and achievements of this type of policy, up till now steadfastly developed by the EC Commission. For the rest, the chapters which were already in the previous edition, have been updated and have partly been rewritten by the authors concerned. The editor is most grateful to old and new contributors for their efforts to jointly produce a book which, after 12 years, is still unique in providing a European, instead of a national focus on industries and markets.