Introduction.- PART 1: BUSINESS IN THE GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT.- 1. The business enterprise in focus2. Globalization and the business environment.- PART 2: FRAMING THE BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT.- 3. Culture and societies.- 4. The global economic environment.- 5. The political environment: State and business actors.- 6. The legal environment.- PART 3: SHAPING INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS ACTIVITIES.- 7. International trade and globalization.- 8. Global finance.- 9. Technology and innovation.- PART 4: CONFRONTING GLOBAL CHALLENGES.- 10. Ecology and climate change.- 11. Ethics and social responsibility.- 12. Challenges and responsibilities: Towards a new perspective.