Crossing the borders

This study analyzes the structure of cross-border corporate activities, assessing the development and strategies of multinational corporations on various levels. We present the development of transnational corporations and analyze strategies associated with border-crossing investments, such as Resource Seeking, Market Seeking, Efficiency and Asset Seeking. We find that the significance of transnational corporations that are not only active in foreign trade, but also produce goods and offer services beyond their national boundaries, has increased dramatically – the value of total assets of foreign affiliates has expanded at a much higher rate than international trade. The primary channel of transnational corporate activities is Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). While FDI still mainly originates from industrialized countries, companies from „emerging nations“ such as China, Malaysia, Brazil or South Africa have entered the stage as major international players. The book addresses policy-makers, economists and trade associations, managers and international businesses.