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In light of the current trend toward economic integration in Latin America, this paper examines the role that big business plays in export development. The analysis is primarily descriptive and focuses on three factors: the type of industry, ownership, and value of exports of the 300 largest companies in Latin America. The results indicate that state, private and foreign firms each dominate in particular types of industries. Contrary to the popular assumption that economic integration necessarily leads to development, these results suggest the need for changes in public policy in regard to the current structure of big business in Latin America and its role in export-led development.

Based on an analysis of Mexican industrial history, the objective of this study was to identify the historical events and factors which shaped the international business perspectives and management strategies of Mexican industrial groups (MIGs). To this end, the evolution of MIGs is traced over the course of 170 years and through three distinct phases of Mexican political and economic history: pre‐industrial era (1821‐1940); industrial boom (1940‐1970); and economic crisis and reform (1970‐1990). The subsequent analysis indicates a combination of historical factors resulting in two conditions ‐ domestic orientation and dependent development ‐ which caused MIGs to focus almost exclusively on the Mexican market and to shun international markets and competition.