Multinational enterprises, development and globalisation: Some clarifications and a research agenda

This paper revisits an earlier contribution (Narula and Dunning 2000) and considers how economic globalisation has changed the nature of the MNE, MNE motivations, the MNE subsidiary and the modalities by which they interact with domestic economic actors. Most developing countries, however, have responded reactively. We discuss how the opportunities and challenges for developing countries in following an MNE-assisted development strategy have changed over the last decade. The growing share of industrial activity owned and controlled by MNEs does not always result in a proportional increase in development effects, because individual MNE establishments have different potential for externalities. Concatenation is important: when stage-inappropriate MNE activities are established, crowding-out or regulatory capture is a likely outcome. We highlight the need for systematically linking MNE and industrial policies, but differently than in the import-substitution era. Attracting the 'rights kind' of MNE activity remains important, but the greater heterogeneity requires more customisation of policy tools. Lastly, we warn of the dangers of underestimating the social and political costs of structural adjustment and rapid institutional change associated with globalization.FDI, spillovers, industrial policy, governments, development, WTO, globalisation, developing countries, liberalisation

Developing countries versus multinationals in a globalising world : the dangers of falling behind

Abstract not availableinternational economics and trade ;

Globalisation and New Realities for MNE-Developing Host Country Interaction

Globalisation has resulted in the increased mobility and knowledge intensity of the ownership advantages of MNEs, which they increasingly seek to utilise in conjunction with the created-asset intensive location advantages of countries. We highlight that that the relative opportunity sets (and thus bargaining positions) of both developing country host governments and MNEs varies by the stage of economic development and the motive of FDI. In general, globalisation has shifted the balance in favour of the MNE, and governments increasingly need to provide unique, non-replicable created assets in order to get foreign firms to be ''locked into'' these locations.international economics and trade ;

GLOBALISATION: THE CHALLENGE FOR NATIONAL ECONOMIC REGIMES. ESRI TWENTY FOURTH GEARY LECTURE, 1993

The role of government, as an organising force in a market economy, is coming under increasing scrutiny. Yet, in spite of an almost universal eagerness to contain or reduce the extent of governmental intervention in the management of domestic resource allocation, it remains a fact that the countries which have recorded the most impressive economic performances over the past two decades are those whose governments have exerted a strong and positive influences over all aspects of commercial affairs

Explaining the 'new' wave of outward FDI from developing coountries : the case of Taiwan and Korea

Abstract not availableinternational economics and trade ;

Investissements américains directs et compétitivité technologique européenne

This paper examines the impact of US firms on technological competitiveness in Europe between 1955-75 through a dynamic application of the eclectic theory of international trade and production. It looks at the improvement in the trading performance of European countries, and finds that in certain larger countries and sectors that indigenous firms also improved their position. This is further found to be related to the transfer of technology from the US to Europe, and its diffusion to European firms where this has taken place

Investissements américains directs et compétitivité technologique européenne

This paper examines the impact of US firms on technological competitiveness in Europe between 1955-75 through a dynamic application of the eclectic theory of international trade and production. It looks at the improvement in the trading performance of European countries, and finds that in certain larger countries and sectors that indigenous firms also improved their position. This is further found to be related to the transfer of technology from the US to Europe, and its diffusion to European firms where this has taken place.