The purpose of this research is to generalise the results of the 2000-2010 period development of the Swedish real estate market for FDI and provide a better understanding of it from the point of view of foreign investors. The approach used in the thesis was based on deductive method assuming previous theory and research. Quantitative data relies on both scientific and media sources, qualitative empirical data – on questionnaires filled in by companies involved in real estate FDI process. The study addresses the changes of macro and micro economical issues, cultural, political, geographical patterns, changes of market characteristics, investor preferences and provides an overview of both classical investment theories and FDI theories. The results of current research show that within the indicated 10-year period the major changes in the Swedish property market where: increased difficulties with obtaining finance, higher selectiveness when choosing investment objects, increased use of structured deals, greater importance of diversification, decreased risk and yield levels. The thesis originates from the prior research in the field by KTH scholars - Axelsson, Victrorin (1999), O’Connor (2003) and Falk, Olsén (2009). The main contribution of the current research is adding to the knowledge about real estate FDI and quantifying the changes during the long time-horizon – 2000-2010 period considering both "economical rationale" and "behaviour rationale". Present research may be useful for further investigations in the property FDI area, can provide information for foreign investors about the historical development of the Swedish market and be helpful for analyzing or choosing FDI market strategy.

During the last 20 years there has been a rapid increase of Chinese foreign direct investment (FDI) in Africa. Through examination of published research, we discover that Chinese FDI does not appear to clearly follow traditional assumptions of FDI. Especially in relation to economic freedom. This uncertainty, combined with lacking empirical research and limited available data in the region, led us to the aim of this work. We have set out to examine whether economic freedom is a determinant of Chinese FDI in Africa. For this purpose, a biennial panel data study for the years 2009 to 2019 was constructed. Fixed effects models using indices for economic freedom and relevant control variables are employed. The results show that economic freedom as defined by the Fraser Institute has a negative effect on Chinese FDI. Further, high levels of regulation reduces Chinese FDI. These findings stand in contrast to traditional theory on FDI determinants.

This thesis explores the relations between foreign policy and the internationalization of Brazilian firms. The main argument is that, since the 2000s, Brazil has benefited from the activities of national companies abroad to project itself internationally. In addition, foreign policy has been an intermediary instrument to foster business opportunities and to protect Brazilian multinationals against political risks. Our argument begins by recovering the relationship between state and business in Brazil and the way companies were considered not only on its connections with governmental institutions, but also as part of the development policies since the 1930s. We analyze how Brazilian multinationals became a central agent of Brazil\'s international political strategy and what are the consequences on the internationalization strategies. To measure the international involvement of countries, we developed the Foreign Policy Index, a tool that allowed us to evaluate some of the most important interpretations of changes in Brazil\'s foreign policy between 1998 and 2014. This index consists in information about the convergence in diplomatic positions, participation in international cooperation projects, among other data depicting countries\' foreign policy activities. With this, it was possible to demonstrate the relevance of domestic and systemic political factors to changes in the orientation of foreign policy. Finally, we argue that foreign policy should be considered in the international business literature in order to better understand business decisions while internationalizing. Exploring the Brazilian case, we found evidence that foreign policy played an important role in locational decisions of Brazilian outward direct investments. / Esta tese explora as relações entre a política externa e a internacionalização de empresas brasileiras. O principal argumento é que, desde os anos 2000, o Brasil tem se beneficiado das atividades de suas empresas no estrangeiro para se projetar internacionalmente. Além disso, a política externa tem sido instrumento intermediador de oportunidades de negócios e que protege multinacionais brasileiras contra os riscos políticos. Nossa argumentação começa recuperando o percurso das relações entre Estado e empresariado no Brasil e o modo como as empresas foram consideradas, tanto em contato com as instituições governamentais quanto como parte das políticas de desenvolvimento a partir da década de 1930. Analisamos como as multinacionais brasileiras se tornaram um agente central da estratégia política internacional do Brasil e quais foram as consequências sobre seu padrão de internacionalização. Para medir o envolvimento internacional dos países, desenvolvemos o Índice de Política Externa, uma ferramenta que nos permite avaliar algumas das mais importantes interpretações sobre as mudanças na política externa do Brasil entre 1998 e 2014. Este índice é composto por informações sobre convergência em posições diplomáticas, participação em projetos de cooperação internacional, entre outras. Com isso, é possível demonstrar a contribuição de fatores políticos, domésticos e sistêmicos, para mudanças na orientação da política externa. Finalmente, sugerimos que a política externa deve ser levada em consideração na literatura de negócios internacionais para entender melhor as decisões das empresas enquanto se internacionalizam. Explorando o caso brasileiro, encontramos evidências de que a política externa desempenhou um papel importante nas decisões de localização dos investimentos brasileiros no exterior.

Abstract Attracting foreign investments to the economy in a large scale pursues long-term strategic goals for creating civilized, socially-oriented society in Uzbekistan, which is characterized by a high standard of living based on mixed economy. For stabilizing the economy and for improving the investments climate, it is necessary to take a number of arrangements, which will target on forming general terms of development of civilized market relations as well as on special conditions relating directly to problem solving -- how to attract the foreign investments. When analyzing the investment process in Uzbekistan, it is possible to say that the extent of attracting and efficiency of using the foreign investments on the national level as well on the regional levels very often depends upon the abilities to establish relevant legal and economic conditions within each phase of the development of the society. It is essential for Uzbekistan to try to attract foreign investments, which would help and support the development of the domestic industry and contribute to implementation of advanced technologies. Therefore volume of business exchange between the enterprises with foreign investments and Uzbek enterprises serves as a criterion for evaluation of successful attraction of foreign investments. We assume that positives brought by the involvement of foreign enterprises in the Uzbek market, must lie predominantly in using technologies for processing raw materials, which Uzbekistan is very rich in. Policy of monetary exchange rates is an important part of the reform programs realized in transformed economy of Uzbekistan. This policy is crucial for improvement of relative prices, restoration of price stability and for opening national markets to international business -- markets, which were closed so far. Nonexistent convertibility of domestic currency is a reason for decreasing the volume of investments within the country. It is therefore necessary to introduce liberalization of the monetary market and open a seamless access of the businesses to hard currencies. Issues of investment image of Uzbekistan are closely related to the problem of openness of the national economy, which under the current conditions become extremely meaningful.

In Turkey, the trade regime has been liberalized to some extent after Resolutions of 24 January 1980, and Turkey started to implement export-led trade strategies. As a part of these policy instruments, the Free Zones Law was published in the Official Gazette in 1985. Following various amendments in the Law, objectives of free zones have been defined as &ldquo / promoting export-oriented investment and production, accelerating the entry of foreign investment and technology, directing enterprises to export and improving international trade&rdquo / . Within this context, the purpose of this study is to explore the economic impacts of free zones and analyze the free zone firms&rsquo / perceptions on the success of free zones by assessing to what extent the establishment objectives of the free zones in Turkey have been realized.

Magistro darbe aptarta tiesioginių užsienio investicijų samprata, jas lemiantys veiksniai bei jų įtaka ekonominiam augimui. Antroje darbo dalyje atlikta tiesioginių užsienio investicijų Baltijos šalyse analizė: nagrinėjama, kaip TUI kiekvienoje šalyje pasiskirsto sektoriuose, kokie yra pagrindiniai investuotojai, išanalizuota TUI dinamika, atliktas įtakos BVP, eksportui ir užimtumui vertinimas, bei tiesioginių užsienio investicijų prognozė kitiems 3 metams. Taip pat aptarti veiksniai, įtakojantys TUI srautą į Baltijos valstybes.Tyrimo metu nustatyta, kad po nepriklausomybės atgavimo praeitame dešimtmetyje visose trijose Baltijos valstybėse (Lietuvoje, Latvijoje ir Estijoje) tiesioginės užsienio investicijos nuolat augo (išskyrus 1999-2001 m. laikotarpį, kai jų srautus neigiamai paveikė Rusijos krizė). Praeitame dešimtmetyje TUI srautai didėjo daugiausia dėl privatizacijos procesų, vėliau apsisprendimas investuoti Baltijos valstybėse buvo įtakotas dėl sąlyginai mažesnių gamybos kaštų nei labiau išsivysčiusiose valstybėse bei augančio regiono ekonominio potencialo. Darbe patvirtinta hipotezė, kad tiesioginių užsienio investicijų didėjimas tiesiogiai veikia Baltijos šalių ekonominę plėtrą: TUI tiesiogiai įtakoja BVP augimą ir eksporto plėtrą bei mažina nedarbo lygį. / This master’s paper analysis the foreign direct investments (FDI) in Baltic States. In the first part of the work the conception of the FDI, the reasons that influence the flows of FDI and their impact on economical growth. In the second part of the work there was an analysis of FDI dynamics and the FDI distribution in separate branches performed, also it was analysed how the GDP growth, export and employment is affected by the foreign direct investments in Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. In the last part of the work it was foreseen the perspectives of the FDI. The hypothesis is formulated and confirmed as follows: „The increase of FDI flows directly impacts the growth of Baltic States economy, it stimulates the growth of GDP and the development of export also decrease of the unemployment level”.

This diploma paper provides an overview of operation and meaning of multinational corporations in the modern global economy and in the economy of the Czech Republic. Likewise, the paper presents a comparison of conditions and consequences, connected with the activities of multinational corporations in the economies of Russian Federation and Czech Republic. During the process of studying the history and modern reality of multinational corporations in Czech Republic the author wanted to realize, how substantial was their influence in Czech economy. By comparison with multinational corporations' activities in Russian economy the author finds out, whether the scenario is unique in Czech republic, or it is possible to find certain analogues in other countries.

This diploma thesis focuses on Austrian foreign direct investments and more specifically on the internalization of Austrian companies into the Czech Republic. The aim is to thoroughly display the Austria's outward foreign direct investments, introduce the internationalization models and apply them in an analysis of Austrian companies present in the Czech Republic. The first step towards answering research questions is the presentation of a short theoretical background on foreign direct investment. Further, the main characteristics of Austrian investments are stated. Chapter two starts with term definitions. Thereby, a common under-standing of the most relevant terms is established. The thorough literature review illuminates the theories behind each model and its development. In the following step, the practical part of the paper is introduced. At first, assumptions from the internationalization models are derived. Afterwards, these assumptions serve as a foundation for the questionnaire's framework. The primary part of this chapter displays results of the empirical study. Finally, a conclusion is presented summing up the thesis's core findings. These findings are primarily direct answers to the research questions seeking to fulfill the main objective of the diploma thesis.

This diploma theses addresses the issue of investment environment and regional development in the Moravian-Silesian Region. The first chapter describes theoretical inputs, namely competitivness and foreign direct investments. The general factors influencing competitivness are applied on example of the Czech Republic. Second chapter analyse the investment environment in the Region. This concerns namely socio-economic situation, business environment and completed restructuring. Included is also SWOT analysis and resulting recommendations. Third chapter evaluates the current state of investments in the Region and describes two significant development projects. These are namely Danish producer of luxury electrotechnics and South Korean car producer. The text describes the investors, industrial zones they are placed in, process and current status of the investment and overall impact upon the Region.

The aim of the diploma thesis is to identify the main reasons that lead foreign companies to enter the Slovak market. The content of the work, which is divided into five main chapters, corresponds to the defined objectives. In the first chapter theoretical basis to the addressed issue are processed. The second chapter provides a detailed analysis of the international competitiveness of Slovakia, through selected indices of competitiveness and business environment. The third chapter analyses the development of foreign direct investments from the perspective of the Slovak economy. Attention is focused on territorial, sectoral and regional structure of foreign direct investments in Slovakia. The fourth chapter provides an analysis of the factors influencing decisions of foreign investors to place their businesses in Slovakia. The selection of analysed factors is based on results of the UNCTAD study. In the last chapter are identified key motives of foreign investors entry to Slovakia based on analyses carried out. These findings are demonstrated on an example of Danish investors entry on the Slovak market.