Actors and factors in policy decisions on foreign direct investment

Governmental policies toward foreign investment are made complex by the variety of actors involved in or affected by the establishment of companies abroad and by the differences in decision factors employed by each. Governments of advanced and developing countries see the companies differently; as do various interests groups in each, and as do international organizations. These differences are further complicated by differences among sub-units in government and among types of international companies. Consequently, it is highly unlikely that governments will agree on the means of guiding or controlling international companies.