Analysis of the industrial integration and the market development by Illinois firms in the Central American Common Market

Includes bibliographical references.The purpose of this research study was to analyze the economic and industrial integration in the Central American Common Market. Further, the study determined the market development of selected Illinois manufacturing firms in the area. Although the research was limited to Illinois manufacturing firms with corporate headquarters in the state and located in cities with populations between 5,000 and 25,000 persons. A sample of 225 was randomly chosen from a universe of 464 companies listed in the International Buyers Guide to Illinois Products. The research problem was factored into eight sections and served to delimit the scope of the study. Conclusions were drawn from the data and corresponded to the subproblems posed in the study. It was discovered in the course of the research that all previous attempts toward integration occurred within the political sphere of influence in Central America. The present integration program originated in the economic sphere of influence with the guidance of the industrial and commercial sectors. The program for industrialization in Central America has achieved substantial success in the past decade. The plan was formulated by four treaties between the republics. The success of the integration program was prompted mainly by two factors. First, the Agreement on the System of Central American Industries of Integration which governs the balance of new industries among the members. This legal agreement is only found in Central America and guarantees equal distribution of growth for the members. The second factor for success is the supporting detail for implementation of the integration scheme in the four treaties forming the base of the Central American Common Market. The future role of economic and industrial integration in Latin America may appear questionable and somewhat delayed. Within Central America the Central American Common Market is forging ahead with due progress, but could be changed dramatically depending upon the negotiations toward the formulation of the proposed Latin American Common Market. The latter is unlikely to become a reality under the present conditions. Reasons for this are time limitations, the number of countries involved and the lack of progress made by the Latin American Free Trade Association.M.S. (Master of Science