Emerging-market multinational enterprises (EMNEs) have been increasingly engaged in outward foreign investments, the distinctive feature for their internationalization being the aim of strategic asset-seeking and acquiring knowledge. Thus, reverse knowledge transfer is significant in achieving innovation catch-up. Subsidiary willingness towards reverse knowledge transfer has huge implications for building up competitive advantages for MNEs. However, research on EMNEs shows that the subsidiary willingness towards reverse knowledge transfer is rather low. In this vein, the purpose of this thesis is to explore headquarters initiatives to improve subsidiary willingness in EMNEs. This thesis conducts a qualitative case study by semi-structured interviews with respondents from both headquarters and subsidiaries in a Chinese MNE. A case of a Chinese MNE, Geely, and its two Swedish subsidiaries (i.e. Volvo Cars and CEVT) is adopted to explore our research question. The findings suggest that headquarters in EMNEs can improve subsidiary willingness towards reverse knowledge transfer by promoting socialization between headquarters and subsidiary, granting subsidiary autonomy, making contributions to the subsidiary as well as maintaining headquarters/subsidiary cooperation. This thesis contributes to the research on reverse knowledge transfer and EMNEs by identifying new antecedents which influence subsidiary willingness in EMNEs.

Este estudo objetiva compreender como ocorre o processo de internacionalização de uma instituição de ensino superior (IES) brasileira. Em um cenário globalizado em que a competição se acirra para os países e para as empresas e que depende cada vez mais da geração do conhecimento, as IES passam a ter um papel destacado na formação de pessoas com alta qualificação e na geração de conhecimento para os sistemas de inovação dos países. Foi conduzida uma pesquisa exploratória e qualitativa que adotou como estratégia o estudo de caso múltiplo com quatro IES brasileiras e suas diferentes formas de internacionalização: i) a celebração de convênios internacionais da Universidade de São Paulo (USP); ii) a aquisição de participação acionária no New College of California (NCC) pelo Centro Universitário Campo Grande (UNAES); iii) a aquisição de participação acionária na Universidade Anhembi Morumbi (UAM) pela rede internacional de universidade Laureate e iv) a formação de joint venture entre a Kroton Educacional e o grupo Apollo para a criação da Faculdade Pitágoras e também dos seus convênios internacionais com outras universidades. Foram empregadas as técnicas de investigação de análise documental, entrevistas focadas e observação direta. A estratégia analítica adotada foi baseada em proposições teóricas para organizar as evidências coletadas para responder às perguntas de pesquisa. Como a internacionalização de IES consiste em um fenômeno complexo, foi necessário articular três conjuntos de conceitos provenientes de diferentes referenciais teóricos, considerando-se: i) conceitos de internacionalização de IES e globalização com base na visão de organismos multilaterais como Banco Mundial, OCDE e UNESCO; ii) aspectos da internacionalização de empresas com base na abordagem econômica da teoria de internalização de empresas de Rugman e Verbeke; e iii) conceitos do campo teórico de Ensino Superior Internacional. Os resultados apresentados por este estudo indicam os elementos principais que caracterizaram a forma como ocorreu o processo de internacionalização das IES analisadas, com destaque para: i) detenção de uma visão estratégica que contemple, pelo menos em parte, os conceitos dos organismos multilaterais; ii) formação de competências organizacionais alinhadas com a natureza das IES (pública e privada) e as formas de mobilidade (instituições, programas e acadêmicos) praticadas ou planejadas; iii) aproveitamento de vantagens específicas oferecidas pelo Brasil e por outros países para a instalação de atividades internacionais das IES; e iv) implementação de um conjunto de práticas de gestão da educação transnacional e acadêmica. / This study aims the comprehension of the internationalization process of Brazilian higher education institutions (HEI). As a part of a globalized world dependent on knowledge workforce to face increasing competition among countries and companies, HEI play an important role in grooming highly skilled people and providing knowledge to build up the countries innovation systems. The results reported draw on a multi-case study involving exploratory and qualitative research to investigate four Brazilian HEI and their different ways of internationalization, namely: i) international agreements at University of Sao Paulo (USP); ii) the acquisition of equity stake in the New College of California (NCC) by the University Center of Campo Grande (UNAES); iii) the acquisition of equity stake in the Anhembi Morumbi University (UAM) by Laureate Education, Inc.; and iv) joint venture between Kroton Educational and Apollo International to fund Pitagoras Faculty and also international agreements with other universities. The analysis of data collected by means of document analysis, focused interviews and direct observation rests on theoretical propositions to organize evidences in an attempt to answer the research questions. Since HEI internationalization is a complex phenomenon, the analysis involves three sets of concepts from different theoretical backgrounds, namely: i) concepts of HEIs internationalization and globalization, as suggested by multilateral organizations such as OECD, UNESCO and World Bank; ii) concepts of internationalization of companies, as found in Rugman & Verbekes economic approach; and iii) concepts developed within the domain of International Higher Education. The results presented by this study indicate the main elements that characterize how the analyzed HEI internationalization process occurred, such as: i) developing a strategic vision envisaging concepts emphasized by multilateral organizations; ii) building organizational competences in line with the nature of both private and public HEI and their planned or current mobility practices (of institutions, programs, and scholars); iii) exploiting specific advantages offered either in Brazil or in the countries for HEIs international activities; and iv) articulating management practices of transnational and academic education.

No cenário de crescente envolvimento do setor privado em questões sociais públicas, em que a distinção entre o público e o privado torna-se cada vez mais tênue e empresas são conclamadas para a solução de demandas sociais, disseminam-se práticas de Responsabilidade Social Corporativa (RSC), e organizações multinacionais passam, gradativamente, a desenvolver iniciativas sociais além de suas fronteiras, enfrentando desafios inusitados. O Investimento Social Privado (ISP), que é definido na literatura brasileira como o repasse de recursos voluntários a projetos sociais e que representa a dimensão da RSC focada na comunidade e nas ações sociais voltadas ao interesse público (GIFE, 2013), vem se tornando objeto constante de pesquisas no Brasil. Dentre os desafios relacionados ao ISP, aponta-se a lacuna de estudos que analisem a internacionalização do Investimento Social Privado, fato este particularmente significativo visto que multinacionais brasileiras vêm expandindo suas práticas sociais para além das fronteiras do país (NOGUEIRA; SCHOMMER, 2009). Neste contexto, a presente pesquisa qualitativa e exploratória, realizada através de estudos de casos múltiplos em quatro representativas multinacionais brasileiras que investem socialmente em países estrangeiros nos quais mantêm atividades, se propõe a investigar como ocorre a internacionalização do Investimento Social de multinacionais brasileiras, analisando seus principais desafios e limitações. Os resultados apontam como principal desafio à internacionalização do ISP brasileiro o seu processo de governança, caracterizado pela baixa participação de seus stakeholders ao longo do processo, especialmente das comunidades locais, fato potencializado pela falta de articulação de atores locais em determinados países. Assim, o estudo propõe uma reflexão sobre o Investimento Social realizado na atualidade por multinacionais brasileiras no exterior, visto, de um lado, as preocupações do setor empresarial em relação ao respeito aos povos locais e, de outro, o baixo envolvimento das empresas com as demais partes interessadas. / In increasing private sector involvement in social public issues, where the distinction between public and private becomes tenuous and companies are invited for the solution of social demands, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) practices are spreading, and multinational companies are gradually developing social initiatives beyond its borders, facing numerous issues. The Private Social Investment (PSI), which is defined in Brazilian literature as the voluntary transfer of resources to social projects and that is the dimension of CSR focused on the community and on the public interest (GIFE, 2012), becomes a constant subject of study in Brazil in recent years. Among the challenges related to PSI, it is pointed the gap in the investigation of the internationalization of Brazilian Private Social Investment, as the phenomenon of expansion of Brazilian multinationals, often accompanied by the promotion of social practices by these global companies in the countries in which they operate (NOGUEIRA; SCHOMMER, 2009). In this context, this qualitative and exploratory study conducted through case studies in four representative Brazilian multinationals that invest socially in foreign countries in which they hold activities , proposes to investigate how the internationalization of Social Investment of Brazilian multinationals occurs, analyzing its main challenges and limitations. The results indicate that the main challenge to the internationalization of Brazilian PSI is related to its governance process, characterized by low participation of its stakeholders, particularly local communities, throughout the process, a situation aggravated by the lack of coordination of local actors in certain countries. Thus, the study proposes a reflection on the current phenomenon of social investment led by Brazilian multinationals abroad, since on the one hand, the concerns of the business sector in relation to respect for local people, and on the other, the low involvement of companies with other stakeholders.

Economia / Master in Economics / The relevance of foreign direct investment (FDI) (UNCTAD, 2007) is recognised by a vast body of literature. However, until recently most studies and policy-making initiatives were focused on the mere magnitude of FDI inflows (i.e. the quantity), neglecting the quality of these investments. Recent literature on subsidiaries roles and evolution is shedding light on the asymmetric quality of multinationals (MNEs) operations, hence helping to understand their differentiated impact on host economies. This dissertation contributes to this literature by investigating empirically the quality of foreign subsidiaries activities located in Ireland and Portugal. Using data from a purposely designed questionnaire survey, the following questions will be analysed. First, which characteristics of multinational subsidiaries are conducive to innovation? This study will consider the impact of age, education and R&D intensities, among other characteristics, on innovation. This question will be analysed using a probit model. Second, do foreign subsidiaries based in Ireland and Portugal differ in a systematic way with regard to these characteristics and with regard to the motivations that led to their establishment? This question will be studied using nonparametric methods. The empirical results (first application) corroborate the hypotheses that age, education and R&D intensities of the subsidiary impact positively on innovation. The results are consistent with previous studies that emphasise the time dependent aspect of multinational subsidiaries evolution (Young, Hood and Peters, 1994; Birkinshaw and Hood, 1997, 1998) and those that highlight the importance of human capital (Bartel and Lichtenberg, 1987; Narula and Marin, 2003) and R&D activities (Cohen and Levinthal, 1989, 1990) for technology absorption and creation. It was also found (the second empirical application) that the asset-seeking motivation played a more important role in attracting investors to Ireland than to Portugal and that subsidiaries based in Ireland tend to display greater education and R&D intensities than those based in Portugal.

This thesis consists of four individual essays and an introductory chapter. While independent from each other, these essays share some common properties. They are all empirical and focus on the interaction between inflows of foreign direct investment (FDI) and host country characteristics. The primary focus of the thesis lies in how inflows of FDI affect developing and transition economies. Macro-level data are used in all essays. The first essay analyses the FDI inflows that the transition economies of Eastern Europe have attracted and tries to find determinants of these inflows. The following two essays compare the effect of FDI between developing and developed economies. The second essay studies the relationship between corruption in the host country and the volume of FDI inflows. The third essay explores the effect of FDI inflows on host country economic growth. The fourth and final essay analyses the relationship between FDI and trade, focusing on the link between FDI flows and host country exports in eight East Asian economies.

Since the 1990s and the Swedish membership in the European Union in 1995, the presence of Multinational Enterprises (MNEs) has increased radically in the Swedish economy. The objective with this study is to analyze MNEs effects in different regions within the Swedish manufacturing industry in terms of productivity. Is a region with more MNEs, more pro-ductive than a region with a lower share of MNEs? The theory claims that productivity spillovers of MNEs occurs through three channels namely, via R&D, increased competi-tion and transmission of technology. By observing 81 regions which consists of all 290 municipals in Sweden and taking the average value of productivity and the explanatory variables trough 1997-2004, a cross-sectional analysis is conducted. The results evidently showed signs of productivity spillovers of MNEs on local firms in the manufacturing in-dustry. Findings suggest that (1) a regions with higher share of MNEs did face a higher re-gional productivity. However the spillovers was not successfully absorbed by regions with a industry structure that was not dominated by a the manufacturing industry. (2) Larger re-gions, in terms of population, tend to show a lower productivity level compared to the av-erage levels of the rest of the regions, since their structure was dominated by the service sector. (3) Regions with small technological difference compared to the MNEs, tends to hold the skills and knowledge needed to efficiently exploit the productivity spillovers, hence MNEs influence on regional productivity was greater in these regions than regions with a lower level of technical capability.

Diss. Stockholm : Handelshögsk.

Κατά την παρούσα διπλωματική εργασία αναφορικά με τη συνεισφορά του John H. Dunning στη θεωρία της πολυεθνικής επιχείρησης και της άμεσης ξένης επένδυσης επιχειρείται η βιβλιογραφική ανασκόπηση του έργου του John H. Dunning σχετικά με το εν λόγω θέμα. Συγκεκριμένα, ο John H. Dunning υπήρξε ίσως ο πολυγραφέστερος σε θέματα πολυεθνικών επιχειρήσεων, άμεσων ξένων επενδύσεων και διεθνούς παραγωγής. / This thesis regarding the contribution of John H. Dunning's theory on multinational enterprises and foreign direct investment, attempts to present the literature review of the work of John H. Dunning on this issue. Specifically, John H. Dunning was perhaps the scientist with the greatest literary work on multinational enterprises, foreign direct investment and international production

This PhD thesis develops and tests a model of bargaining between foreign investors and domestic institutions in transition countries. For this purpose this research employs a mixed-methods research methodology combining three studies - two macro-level quantitative and one micro-level qualitative - examining various aspects of the relationships between institutional factors and the quality of inward foreign direct investment (iFDI) flows in transition economies (that is, the impact of iFDI on the host country institutional environment). Specifically, emphasizing the circular nature of the relationship between the applied variables, it attempts, firstly, to identify the impact of the institutional environment in post-Soviet and Central and Eastern European countries on the quality of FDI inflows, and, secondly, to determine whether and how this iFDI affects the quality of the host countries’ institutions. The analysis of the presence, size, and direction of the impact of iFDI is pursued through the study of foreign investors’ (FIs) nonmarket strategies with a special focus on political behavior. Despite the growing role of iFDI and of companies with FDI (especially MNEs) as one of the most important rent-seeking interest groups in many economies, the analysis of the impact of iFDI stocks and flows on the host country’s institutional environment has received much less attention than analysis of the impact of host country institutions on iFDI and has, moreover, produced mostly mixed results. This project is intended to fill this gap and to contribute to theory building on the relationships between iFDI quality, foreign investors’ political behavior, various aspects of institutional environment (including institutional voids), and institutional changes in host countries. It finds evidence for the hypothesis that certain combinations of patterns of quality of iFDI and host-country institutional variables determine foreign investors’ (FIs) political influence and political behavior and may also allow them to pursue their economic goals through manipulation of political regimes and, consequently, reshaping of the host country’s institutions in accordance with their strategic goals. The proposed model was tested quantitatively for a sample of 27 post-Socialist countries and qualitatively for the case of Ukraine. The results of all three studies provide evidence in support of this model. In particular, both quantitative panel studies provide evidence for the existence of ‘blind bargaining’ - a model depicting the cognitive situation of a foreign investor who lacks clarity on the situation he/she is in and, as a result is bound to act in conditions of extreme uncertainty due to the high degree of non-transparancy and instability of the “rules of the game” at any given moment and of their propensity for unpredictable change at any time in the future. ‘Blind bargaining’ originates from the specific state and society relationship that can be formed in neo-patrimonial host states where economic decisions are often not directed towards serving national interests, but towards supporting the personal aims of the officials in power. The first quantitative study shows and explains the attractiveness of such countries to riskier investors, who prefer relatively weak political regimes over stronger ones and who reduce their investment inputs once host states become more assertive. This model of relationships leads to the inflow of mostly ‘malign’ FDI (that is, iFDI that has a destabilizing impact on institutional competencies of recipient countries) into these economies. The second quantitative study examines the quality of iFDI flows in 12 post-Soviet states by determining the impact of attracted iFDI on local institutions, as measured by country risk indicators via a pooled regression model. The latter analysis shows that iFDI has a marginally negative effect on some individual country risk measures and a significantly negative effect on others, implying that there is a strong case for questioning the existing orthodoxy according to which the problems of transition can be overcome via increased iFDI. Given the complexity and context-specificity of foreign investors’ political behavior and its impact on host countries’ institutional capacities, this research acknowledges the need for a more targeted analysis at lower levels of aggregation. The thesis addresses this through a qualitative analysis of the relationships between foreign investors and host states in the context of one country - Ukraine. Interviews with company representatives and various experts were conducted to explore how changes in foreign investors’ bargaining power and, as a result, in their strategic choices regarding their political involvement impact the institutional environment in Ukraine. Based on the combination of empirical and theoretical insights described above, a ‘blind bargaining’ model was developed as a special case of the political bargaining model. It provides a comprehensive framework for explaining foreign investor – host state bargaining relationships in neopatrimonial transition economies and reveals several distinctive characteristics of both parties’ behavior in terms of their goals, resources, constraints, the nature of the bargaining process, strategies and outcomes. However, it is suggested that further country-specific tests are necessary to test its applicability beyond the transition countries, particularly in emerging and developing countries.

This paper provides empirical evidence on the determinants of foreign ownership in manufacturing industries. Foreign ownership, according to the theory of international production, is the result of the combination of comparative and competitive advantage. An adequate examination of the ownership structure of an industry requires the ability to establish empirically the extent to which international competitiveness of firms rests on comparative and competitive advantage. Analysis is based on a sample of the 30 largest manufacturing firms in Austria. The distinction and definition of comparative and competitive advantage as used in this paper and following from it the conclusions about the ownership structure are consistent with the empirical evidence about the share of employees in foreign-owned firms on the industry level. In particular, the classification of firms as foreign- or domestically-owned is in line with the revealed performance differences between foreign and domestic firms. / Series: Department of Economics Working Paper Series