Internal networks, successful evolution and integration within the multinational enterprise

International audienceThis paper shows how a multinational enterprise can succeed the reorganization of its internal structures to become more competitive and profitable. Based on the business network view and the revised Uppsala model, the paper proposes a case study on the reconfiguration, through an internal merger of two vertically-related business units, within the Solvay group, a world leader in chemical industry. The reorganization, that represents an evolution following a commitment decision in a specific market, allowed Solvay to become a fully-integrated leader in the polyamide plastics industry. The paper shows, through an analysis of this successful case study, how the reorganization has increased the profitability of the associated business units improving their competitiveness