Synopses & Reviews
A number of multinational corporations (MNCs) from developing economies are becoming key players in the global economy. The world's second-largest forgings-maker comes from India; the biggest Nordic insurer was bought by a South African competitor; a Mexican company reinvented the global cement business; and Brazilian restaurant chains sponsor immigration visas for highly-skilled meat carvers to support their American expansions. Understanding these trends and their implications is a priority for academics, policy-makers and business professionals alike. Do these developments vindicate the view that globalization opens up unprecedented opportunities for the South to catch up with the North? Are these "emerging MNCs" any different from their competitors from industrial countries? Does private sector direct engagement herald a new era for South-South cooperation? As this book shows, emerging MNCs must be analyzed in the context of the global political economy.
Review
"This book contributes to a better understanding of the new geography of Foreign Direct Investment. It documents that developing economies are already playing a very important role in this context. It is valuable reading for global players interested in the determinants of South-North gross investment flows" -- Carlo De Benedetti, Chairman of COFIDE, Italy, and Executive Chairman of CIR, Italy
"This is an excellent piece of work, carefully constructed with a good balance between theory, empirical research and policy implications" -- John H. Dunning, Emeritus Professor of International Business, University of Reading, UK, and State of New Jersey Professor of International Business at Rutgers University, USA
"...probably the most comprehensive (and in any event best!) piece on that subject matter" -- Karl P. Sauvant, Executive Director of the Columbia Program on International Investment, USA
"I have read this well-researched, excellent contribution to the literature on emerging multinationals with the greatest interest. I was delighted to see the way the author has sought to penetrate the 'corporate veils'. His research on emerging multinationals breaks new ground" -- Mira Wilkins, Professor of Economics, Florida International University, USA
About the Author
ANDREA GOLDSTEIN is Senior Economist at the OECD Development Centre, France. He was previously at the World Bank Group, the OECD Economics Department and the Italian Securities and Exchange Commission.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Trends in 'Southern' Outward FDI
Towards an Industry Categorization
The New Asian Multinationals
'Multilatinas'
Extant Theories and Their Relevance to EMNCs
The Role of Governments
Some Key Questions
Consequences for OECD Governments, Firms and Workers
Conclusions: The Way Ahead