Thesis (M.A. (Development Studies))--University of the Witwatersrand, Faculty of Humanities, School of Social Sciences, 2016 / This research is a conceptual inquiry into the orientation and practice of corporate social responsibility (CSR) of Korean transnational corporations (TNCs) in South Africa. Through a case study of Mana Technologies’ CSR programme, the research aims to explore Korean TNCs’ conceptualisation of CSR and their rationale behind the engagement in CSR initiatives. The research found that Korean corporations in South Africa draw on the ‘business case’ for CSR in their conceptualisation of CSR. Therefore, CSR orientation, policies and practice of Korean TNCs, to some extent, align with those of TNCs globally. Notwithstanding some similarities with global CSR practices, a Korean path to CSR seems to exist in South Africa. While the Korean CSR programmes in South Africa are underpinned by rational motivation, they institutionalise individuals with seemingly caring and genuine heart in the implementation of their CSR programmes. Thus, CSR effectively becomes a mechanism to shift the image of Korean corporations from greedy representatives of global capital to a caring corporate citizen genuinely committed to the development of society. / MT2017

by Hsu Wen-pin Benjamin. / Bibliography: leaves 58-60 / Thesis (M.B.A.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1986

Thesis (doctoral)--Berlin, Humboldt-Universiẗat, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 271-285).

This study extends Dunning's eclectic paradigm to develop propositions about factors influencing the foreign direct investment (FDI) of firms. The propositions are tested with data about the FDI of Japanese electronics firms in the U.S. and Canada. The first part of the study employs LISREL structural equation models to analyze the influence of firm-specific assets, i.e., ownership advantages and international management capabilities, on the ability of firms to undertake FDI. Results from the models reveal similar sources of ownership advantages and international management capabilities for Japanese electronics firms in the U.S. and Canada. Ownership advantages are realized in size, technological competence, advertising and exports commitment of the firm. International management capabilities are derived from country spatial distribution, specific country experience and multinationality. While both ownership advantages and international management capabilities significantly influence the scale of FDI of Japanese firms in the U.S., only international management capabilities are significant in Canada. This variation in Japanese FDI behavior is clarified by further analysis of the competitive dynamics existing in the two host countries. The second part of the study examines the relationship between attributes of Japanese electronics firms and the timing of their investment in the U.S. and Canada. It is argued that a useful way to model foreign direct investment (FDI) decisions is to recognize explicitly the uncertainties involved in the decisions. A probabilistic model of FDI is specified. The model assumes that, ceteris paribus, the higher the risk-adjusted expected net benefits from foreign direct investment, the higher the probability of making an investment at a particular moment and thus the probability of investing earlier. It also assumes that uncertainties may be reduced with the passage of time. The models are estimated using Cox (1972) form of proportional hazards regression model. Results generally confirm the hypotheses that size, financial capabilities, as well as possession of some firm-specific strategic assets are significantly related to early FDI. An interesting exception is research and development, which is significant only after the mid-1970s. This is largely attributed to Japanese government's support and the subsequent maturation of firms.

Univ., Diss.--Frankfurt (Main), 2002.

Thesis (M.B.A.)--University of Hong Kong, 1990.

This study extends Dunning's eclectic paradigm to develop propositions about factors influencing the foreign direct investment (FDI) of firms. The propositions are tested with data about the FDI of Japanese electronics firms in the U.S. and Canada. The first part of the study employs LISREL structural equation models to analyze the influence of firm-specific assets, i.e., ownership advantages and international management capabilities, on the ability of firms to undertake FDI. Results from the models reveal similar sources of ownership advantages and international management capabilities for Japanese electronics firms in the U.S. and Canada. Ownership advantages are realized in size, technological competence, advertising and exports commitment of the firm. International management capabilities are derived from country spatial distribution, specific country experience and multinationality. While both ownership advantages and international management capabilities significantly influence the scale of FDI of Japanese firms in the U.S., only international management capabilities are significant in Canada. This variation in Japanese FDI behavior is clarified by further analysis of the competitive dynamics existing in the two host countries. The second part of the study examines the relationship between attributes of Japanese electronics firms and the timing of their investment in the U.S. and Canada. It is argued that a useful way to model foreign direct investment (FDI) decisions is to recognize explicitly the uncertainties involved in the decisions. A probabilistic model of FDI is specified. The model assumes that, ceteris paribus, the higher the risk-adjusted expected net benefits from foreign direct investment, the higher the probability of making an investment at a particular moment and thus the probability of investing earlier. It also assumes that uncertainties may be reduced with the passage of time. The models are estimated using Cox (1972) form of proportional hazards regression model. Results generally confirm the hypotheses that size, financial capabilities, as well as possession of some firm-specific strategic assets are significantly related to early FDI. An interesting exception is research and development, which is significant only after the mid-1970s. This is largely attributed to Japanese government's support and the subsequent maturation of firms. / Business, Sauder School of / Graduate

Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2004. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This assignment investigates the bargaining relationship between multinational corporations (MNCs) and developing countries. The units of analysis of this study in Global Political Economy are MNCs (non-state actors) and nation-states. In the contemporary global production structure the 'balance of power' between MNCs and developing countries has shifted in favour of MNCs. Descriptive secondary sources were used to illustrate the MNC-State bargaining relationship in telecommunications privatisation in Sub-Saharan Africa. In the contemporary global economy nation-states only rarely still compete for territory, but rather for wealth-creating activities to be located within their borders. Important changes in the global production structure have resulted in the increased mobility and economic power of MNCs. These developments have affected the strategic relationship between MNCs and nation-states and the former have used their advantage to gain preferential treatment in the bargaining process. The nation-states are also competing amongst themselves for the investment and technology and knowledge transfers from these firms. Privatisation programmes in Sub-Saharan Africa have substantially increased MNC participation on the continent, which has been historically marginalised from global foreign direct investment receipts. Research has shown that MNC participation in infrastructure service provision is more efficient than government ownership. However, this does not constitute a loss of sovereignty, but rather emphasises the changing role of nation-states as facilitators of global market relations. On examination, the distinct bargaining relationship in telecommunications privatisation clearly illustrates the dependence of Sub-Saharan African countries on technologically advanced MNCs. Thus, the 'balance of power' has shifted more to MNCs in the global political economy. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie navorsingswerkstuk ondersoek die bedingingsverhouding tussen multinasionale korporasies (MNKs) en ontwikkelende lande. Die ondersoekeenhede in die studie van die Globale Politieke Ekonomie is MNKs (nie-staatrolspelers) en regeringstate. In die huidige globale produksiestruktuur het die mag tussen MNKs en ontwikkelende lande verander sodat die MNKs nou die magsoorwig het. Beskrywende sekondêre bronne is gebruik om die MNK-regeringstaat se bedingingsverhouding in telekommunikasie privatisering in Sub-Sahara Afrika te illustreer. In die teenswoordige globale ekonomie kompeteer regeringstate selde met mekaar om territoriale mag, maar oorwegend om welvaartskeppende bedrywe binne hul grense aan te moedig. Belangrike veranderings in die globale produksiestruktuur het MNKs se mobiliteit en ekonomiese mag verhoog. Hierdie ontwikkelinge het die strategiese verhouding tussen MNKs en regeringstate verander. MNKs gebruik hierdie invloed om voordeel te trek uit regeringstate wat kompeteer vir belegging en die tegnologie- en kennisoordrag van hierdie korporasies. Privatiseringsprogramme in Sub-Sahara Afrika het MNK-deelname op die kontinent verhoog, wat histories gemarginaliseer is van buitelandse direkte belegging. Navorsing dui daarop dat MNKs se deelname in infrastruktuurdienslewering meer doeltreffend is, as wanneer dit onder staatsbeheer is. Dit lei egter nie tot 'n verlies aan soeweriniteit nie, maar beklemtoon die regeringstaat se veranderde rol as fasiliteerder van globale markverhoudinge. Die ondersoek na die uitsonderlike bedingingsverhouding in die privatisering van telekommunikasie beklemtoon Sub-Sahara Afrika se afhanklikheid van tegnologies-ontwikkelde MNKs. Die magsbalans het gevolglik na die MNKs oorskuif in die globale politieke ekonomie.

published_or_final_version / Business Administration / Master / Master of Business Administration

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Science in Engineering by advanced course work and research, March 2017 / It is estimated that US$50 Billion is attributed to illicit financial outflows from Africa each year. This has created an environment in which African tax administrations have placed political pressure on industry and in particular the mining sector, to account for this erosion of tax bases across the African continent. Transfer pricing abuse by multinational enterprises in the mining industry has been attributed to a large portion of these illicit outflows. This report sets the objective of understanding African transfer pricing challenges, both general and mining specific, as well as initiatives addressing these challenges so as to identify the subsequent synergies and gaps that exist between the two. The following general challenges related to transfer pricing on the African continent were identified namely; effective policy and legislation addressing transfer pricing, sufficient skills and capacity in tax administrations, effective document requirements pertaining to transfer pricing transactions, access to comparable data databases and exchange of information between tax administrations. In addition to these general challenges, two mining specific challenges were identified namely; the complex nature of vertically/laterally integrated mining value chains and inadequate understanding by tax authorities of mining related transactions along the value chain in terms of function, asset and risk of each transaction. Of the six initiatives identified in the literature, the World Bank Group and Centre for Exploration Targeting sourcebook on transfer pricing in African Mining as well as the African Tax Administration Forum tax programs were selected through an Analytical Hierarchy Process as being the best aligned to deal with the challenges mentioned. Synergies between these two initiatives were identified in the areas of transfer pricing policy and legislation alignment as well as transfer pricing skills and capacity building. Gaps were identified under the practical ability to implement the outcomes from the World Bank Group sourcebook which requires a centralised body and multinational transfer pricing model positioned and able to carry out the transfer pricing recommendations from the sourcebook such as effective audits and skills and capacity building programs. The report concludes with a basic framework of how such a Multi-National Transfer Pricing Unit under ATAF might function, as a possible solution to addressing this gap. / CK2018