A world map of protectionism in our client magazine "think:act"

• Many OECD countries have improved their framework conditions for foreign investors between 1998 and 2003.
• Minimal hurdles for mergers & acquisitions (M&A) in Belgium, Great Britain, Denmark, Ireland, Iceland and the USA.
• M&A are more difficult in France, Italy, Norway, Poland, Turkey and Hungary.

The framework conditions for mergers and acquisitions have improved in many OECD countries between 1998 and 2003. However, there are only a few countries where it is easy for foreign investors to invest in or to completely acquire domestic companies. These are the results of a study led by André Schmidt, Professor and Chair of International Economic Policy in the Department of Law, Governance & Economics at the European Business School in Oestrich-Winkel. Countries where M&As are easy include Belgium, Denmark, Great Britain, Ireland, Iceland and the USA. M&A are more difficult in France, Italy, Norway, Turkey and Hungary. The findings of the study will be published at the end of September in Roland Berger's client magazine "think:act", issued three times a year.

The researchers developed an "openness scale" of zero to six to describe the opportunities for M&A. On this scale, zero indicates that the country is very open to acquisitions and capital investments, and six means it is not very open.

To determine each country's place on the scale, the researchers evaluated three factors: First, how much can foreign companies really invest in domestic companies? Second, market structures, the size of the public sector as well as government investment in private companies all play a role. Third, laws that can limit the room of foreign owners of domestic companies to maneuver were considered.

In the coming issue of the magazine for decision makers, head of IBM Sam Palmisano writes an exclusive article about his concept for international company leadership. Further articles in "think:act" show how modern communications technologies affect our private lives. For example, one article looks at how immigrants use the Web to stay connected to their churches back home. Other exciting contributions include a piece by Kiton founder Ciro Paone on the new trend toward handmade goods and an exclusive interview with soccer king Franz Beckenbauer. Beckenbauer discusses the soccer world championship victory in 1990 and the significance of the color green.