Multinational Investment Attraction: Principal-Agent Considerations

Government agencies are becoming increasingly involved in the process of providing investment supports to attract foreign direct investment (FDI).This paper focuses on the problem of how best to structure the investment supports. Five different types of investment supports are theoretically and empirically analysed. In each case the effect of the principal-agent relationships between the MNE investor and the agency charged with attracting FDI are assessed in the strategic context. Theoretical analysis suggests that in some cases, governments may prefer support schemes that appear to be more expensive, but have better incentive or risk-sharing implications. Empirical analysis suggests that MNE firm characteristics are related to the type of investment support package obtained.     

Diffusing 'best practice' in multinational firms: prospects,practice and contestation

This article explores the possibilities and problems of transferring best practice within multinational enterprises. Following a discussion of the literature on the transfer of best practice, we draw on a case study of ABB to highlight some of the issues and problems involved. In particular, we focus on the use of benchmarking as a powerful tool for the diffusion of best practice in ABB. We conclude that under certain conditions the case for the transfer of best practice within multinational enterprises is relatively sound and that the use of internal benchmarking can be a highly effective method of producing such organizational change. However, any form of diffusion has to take into account (a) the local cultural and institutional context and (b) the ability and incentive of local managers to implement best practice.