British Petroleum and Global Oil 1950-1975: The Challenge of Nationalism

by James Bamberg

Overview

This book combines dramatic narrative, arresting analysis and original research. It assesses BP's comparative performance, and focuses on how BP responded to the rise of new competitors, the decline of Britain's imperial power, and the determination of nation states to assert national sovereignty over oil. Climaxing with the OPEC crisis that shook the world in the 1970s, the book will be of wide interest and relevance, especially for those interested in big business, globalization and nationalism, international affairs, OPEC, the Middle East, and oil.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521785150
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	08/31/2000
Series:	History of British Petroleum
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	666
Product dimensions:	6.06(w) x 9.02(h) x 1.81(d)

Table of Contents

Introduction: the political economy of international oil; Part I. In a Rising Tide of Nationalism: 1. 'The structure and sinews of the Company'; 2. Management and culture; 3. The Suez crisis; 4. 'Our aim and policy the energetic search for new sources of crude oil'; 5. Finance and the British government; Part II. Under Pressure from the Producers: 6. The advent of OPEC; 7. The political balancing act; 8. The 'Holy Grail' of exploration; 9. The push for outlets …; 10. … and more outlets; 11. Refining and shipping; 12. Financial strains; 13. The managerial hierarchy; Part III. Diversifications: 14. Alliances in petrochemicals; 15. Integration in petrochemicals; 16. Computing; 17. Nutrition; Part IV: OPEC Takes Control: 18. 'An avalanche of escalating demands'; 19. The end of an era; Retrospect and conclusion.

Editorial Reviews

Bamberg is good both at analyzing the company's managerial structure and placing its operations in international context. Most of the book is straight business history, but there are some good touches for social historians...Bamberg has utilized business and public records to make a major contribution to business history. Bearing in mind the centrality of oil to international politics, his book may be read with profit by a wider range of historians than usually attracted to company histories." Albion

..."a well-written case study of how institutions can adapt to very rapid change, and, in more general terms, into history of the turbulent 1960s and 1970s...this book would make a good addition to libraries wanting quailty information on the business of oil, OPEC and British's modern history." Middle East Jrnl

"It will give pleasure to all those who are intrigued by the rise of the industry, the struggles of the companies within it, and their changing place in the world economy and poltics during this period." The Journal of Energy and Development

"well-written and solidly researched" Choice April 2001

From the Publisher