This international volume presents a comprehensive, comparative study of the transformation of the European telecommunications industry from 1990 to the present. The book focuses on the old incumbent operators and their dramatic change from state agencies to listed companies.

Contents: Preface; Introduction: company transformation - corporatisation, privatisation and company behaviour, Kjell A. Eliassen and Johan From; Modelling the transformation process, Johan From and Lars C. Kolberg. Part I Liberalisation as a Context for Company Transformation: Ownership matters, Johan From and Lars C. Kolberg; The political and regulatory framework towards a European information and knowledge society, Caroline Pauwels and Simon Delaere; EU competition policy and the transition to a more competitive communications industry, Patrizia Cincera and Nick Sitter. Part II The Transformation of Telecommunications Companies: Some Contrasting West-European Examples: Orderly revolution: the case of France Telecom, Marit Sjovaag Marino; The problems of the 1st mover: the case of British Telecom, Marit Sjovaag Marino; Small companies - big problems: the case of Belgacom, John Vanhoucke; Managing complexity: the case of Deutsche Telekom, Günter Knieps, Jürgen Müller and Arnulf Heuermann; Fast mover in a reluctant political environment: the case of Telenor, Stine Ludvigsen. Part III The Transformation of State Monopolies: The complexities of business orientation, Johan From and Lars C. Kolberg; Structures and business strategies, Catherine B. Arnesen; Internationalisation, Kjell A. Eliassen and Brigitte Grøgaard; Conclusion: incumbent company transformation - how far and why, Kjell A. Eliassen and Johan From; Bibliography; Index.