he 1960s. Participative management was originated in the United States; however, many American business firms continue to practice an authoritarian style of management.
Conagra, an American business firm, and Carlsberg, a Danish brewer, have formed a joint venture to build and operate a barley malting plant in Denmark. Marketing plans call for distribution of the plant's product throughout Europe.
Marketing in the Danish book publishing industry is also changing, as price-fixing is ending. Government subsidies for the publishing industry, however, will continue.
Approximately 300 American firms have also established production operations in Denmark to take advantage of the highly educated and well-trained labor force, and to gain the right to operate within the entire European Community. Product marketing for these American-owned operations targets other countries in the European Community to a greater extent than the Danish market is targeted.
Danish companies depend upon foreign countries for major equipment procurement. Production of most other products occurs within the country. The research and development effort in Denmark is strong. The Danish government assists Danish firms in the conduct of research and development through governmentally funded research centers that encourage inter-industry research and development.
The Danish finance markets remain in relatively good shape, with stock market averages up 2.7 percent over the past year and the prime interest rate approximating 7.5 percent. The exchange rate for the krone slipped two-percent over the past 12 months.
Public and external relations in Danish business firms have long been a management strength. The greater unification of the European Community should accelerate improvement in an already strong area of management.
Assessment of Environmental Constraints
Educational variables are a national asset ...