Much of the existing literature of multinational companies has been concerned with firms originating in the world's largest economies. This book redresses this situation by presenting important information on internationalization of a small country's industry. Multinational Restructuring, Internationalization and Small Economies goes beyond traditional studies of foreign direct investment. By using detailed data covering practically all Swedish multinationals and more than two decades of expansion in international markets, the authors describe, interpret and analyse issues which are normally difficult to investigate. These include:
- the predominance of takeovers as mode of entry;
- the growth of intra-firm trade;
- the internationalization of technology;
- the effects of European integration and the increase in Swedish FDI and changes in the organization of corporate activity.
The work provides new evidence on the links between foreign production, on the one hand, and trade, development and diffusion of technology, employment and regional integration on the other. Home to many prominent multinationals, Sweden represents a particularly interesting case study.
