Entrepreneurship, Institutions and Economic Dynamism: Lessons from a Comparison of the United States and Sweden

The purpose of this research endeavorin the form of eight articlesto be published in 2013 in a Special Section of Industrial and Corporate Change is to further our understanding of the extent, character and orientation of entrepreneurial activity in todays wealthy countries. This is done by means of detailed studies of particular aspects of the rules of the game deemed to be of particular importance for entrepreneurship, innovation-based firm growth and its ensuing impact on the economy. Particular aspects of entrepreneurship and economic dynamism are covered by pairs (or in one case three) coauthors, who are renowned specialists in the area and with deep knowledge of the pertinent institutions in Sweden and the US. These two countries have been argued to be located at either end of the spectrum of the types of capitalism with respect to the degree coordination and government intervention. This introductory essay sets off by giving a short overview of the institutional differences that distinguish these economies, but also stresses that convergence has occurred in the last decades in several respects. Still, as is obvious from the summary of the eight comparative analyses included in the Special Section, considerable differences remain. These constitute the basis for the concluding policy discussion

The Relationship between Domestic and Outward Foreign Direct Investment: The Role of Industry-Specific Effects

Previous research has been inconclusive as regards the effect of outward foreign direct investment (FDI) on domestic investments. In this article we show that this inconclusiveness can be explained at a disaggregated level as a function of the way industries are organized. Based on a simple model including monitoring and trade costs, we argue that a complementary relationship can be expected to prevail in vertically integrated industries, whereas a substitutionary relationship can be expected in horizontally organized production. The empirical analysis confirms a significant difference between the two categories of industry as regards the impact of outward FDI on domestic investment. The results may thus have profound policy implications

Swedish Multinational Corporations: Recent Trends in Foreign Activities

This paper presents recent trends in the foreign activities of Swedish multinationals. The focus is on the distribution of production and R&D between the MNCs' domestic and foreign units, and the pattern of trade within the firms. Issues concerning entry modes and the importance of information technology in coordinating geographically dispersed production are also highlighted. Despite considerable improvements in the conditions for industrial activities in Sweden, the trend towards increased internationalization of Swedish firms has continued. After a noticeable increase in the share of foreign production located in the former European Community between 1986 and 1990, the recent development suggests a return to a regional distribution of foreign activities similar to the one prevailing in 1986. In the 1990s the increase in foreign production by Swedish MNCs has been concentrated to the NAFTA-countries, Asia and Eastern Europe. Another striking result is the pronounced increase in the share of foreign R&D that has taken place between 1990 and 1994.This paper presents recent trends in the foreign activities of Swedish multinationals. The focus is on the distribution of production and R&D between the MNCs' domestic and foreign units, and the pattern of trade within the firms. Issues concerning entry modes and the importance of information technology in coordinating geographically dispersed production are also highlighted. Despite considerable improvements in the conditions for industrial activities in Sweden, the trend towards increased internationalization of Swedish firms has continued. After a noticeable increase in the share of foreign production located in the former European Community between 1986 and 1990, the recent development suggests a return to a regional distribution of foreign activities similar to the one prevailing in 1986. In the 1990s the increase in foreign production by Swedish MNCs has been concentrated to the NAFTA-countries, Asia and Eastern Europe. Another striking result is the pronounced increase in the share of foreign R&D that has taken place between 1990 and 1994