Book excerpt: Understanding how firms and national economic systems respond to globalization is one of the most urgent and demanding tasks listed in the current agenda of researchers and policy makers. The papers presented in this volume tackle the theme of defining firms' objectives in this comparatively new perspective. This collection of original studies illuminates the links between the internal structure of firms, their incentives, and their performance. This volume presents theoretical and empirical papers investigating crucial aspects of firm's structure and strategies, such as cross-border mergers, outsourcing, innovation and the maximization of non-profit objectives, in connection with the new challenges posed by globalization. This book is indispensable reading for all interested in trade theory and policy, and development economics.