Chapter 07 - Foreign Direct Investment Foreign Direct Investment Learning objectives Be familiar with current trends regarding FDI in the world economy. Understand the different theories of foreign direct investment. Appreciate how political ideology shapes a government’s attitudes towards FDI. Understand the benefits and costs of FDI to home and host countries. Be able to discuss the range of policy instruments that governments use to influence FDI. 7 7 The focus of this chapter is foreign direct investment (FDI). The growth of foreign direct investment in the last 25 years has been phenomenal. FDI can take the form of a foreign firm buying a firm in a different country, or deciding to invest in a different country by building operations there. With FDI, a firm has a significant ownership in a foreign operation and the potential to affect managerial decisions of the operation. The goal of our coverage of FDI is to understand the pattern of FDI that occurs between countries, and why firms undertake FDI and become multinational in their operations as well as why firms undertake FDI rather than simply exporting products or licensing their know-how. The opening case describes the international growth of Starbucks. The closing case explores Cemex’s foreign investments. Articulate the implications for management practice of theory and government policies associated with FDI. 7-1 Chapter 07 - Foreign Direct Investment OUTLINE OF CHAPTER 7: FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT Opening Case: Starbucks’ Foreign Direct Investment Introduction Foreign Direct Investment in the World Economy Trends in FDI The Direction of FDI The Form of FDI: Acquisitions versus Greenfield Investments The Shift to Services Country Focus: Foreign Direct Investment in China Theories of Foreign Direct Investment Why Foreign Direct Investment? The Pattern of Foreign Direct Investment The Eclectic Paradigm Political Ideology and Foreign Direct Investment The Radical View The Free Market View Pragmatic Nationalism Shifting Ideology Management Focus: DP World and the United States Benefits and Costs of FDI Host Country Benefits Host Country Costs Home Country Benefits Home Country Costs International Trade Theory and FDI Government Policy Instruments and FDI Host Country Policies International Institutions and the Liberalization of FDI Implications for Managers The Theory of FDI Government Policy Chapter Summary Critical Thinking and Discussion Questions Closing Case: Cemex’s Foreign Direct Investment 7-2 Chapter 07 - Foreign Direct Investment CLASSROOM DISCUSSION POINT Ask students for examples of foreign firms that have invested in the U.S. Jot them down on the board. Then, discuss why these companies invested in the U.S. Try to follow the framework presented in the text, and refer back to the board during the presentation of the material. Next, explore what the investment means for the U.S. OPENING CASE: Starbucks’ Foreign Direct Investment The opening case explores Starbucks’ global expansion. Although concentrating originally on the franchising method of expansion and licensing of its products, Starbucks later pursued other options such as joint ventures, wholly owned subsidiaries, and acquisitions to retain tighter control over operations. Discussion of the case can revolve around the following questions: 1. Reflect on the various entry strategies used by Starbucks. Why did the company approach markets using so many entry modes? Was it wise for Starbucks to depart from its domestic strategy of expanding only through company owned stores? 2. Why is it important for Starbucks to require the same store format in its foreign stores? 3. Where do you think the best opportunities for future growth lie for Starbucks? Why? Another Perspective: Students may want to explore Starbucks’ web site to see where its most recent stores have opened, and what form of investment was used. The site is available at {http://www.starbucks.com}. Click on “international” to see a list of countries where the company operates. Another Perspective: To expand this case, consider asking students to explore Starbucks’ recent entry into the French market, and its strategic changes in its Chinese operations. Details on both can be found at {http://www.businessweek.com/globalbiz/content/apr2006/gb20060420_895395.htm?cha n=search} and {http://www.businessweek.com/globalbiz/content/oct2006/gb20061025_712453.htm?cha n=search}. 7-3 Chapter 07 - Foreign Direct Investment LECTURE OUTLINE This lecture outline follows the Power Point Presentation (PPT) provided along with this instructor’s manual. The PPT slides include additional notes that can be viewed by clicking on “view”, then on “notes”. The following provides a brief overview of each Power Point slide along with teaching tips, and additional perspectives. Slide 7-3 Introduction Foreign direct investment (FDI) occurs when a firm invests directly in new facilities to produce and/or market in a foreign country. Once a firm undertakes FDI it becomes a multinational enterprise. Another Perspective: Each year Fortune magazine publishes a list of the 500 largest global corporations in the world. Fortune calls its list the "Global 500." This list can be accessed at {http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/global500/2006/}. The article contains an excellent discussion of the role of global firms in the world economy. FDI can take the form of a greenfield investment where a wholly new operation is established in a foreign country, or it can take place via acquisitions or mergers with existing firms in the foreign country. Another Perspective: Another web site that provides an excellent discussion of the role of multinational corporations in the world economy is available at {http://www.oecdobserver.org/news/fullstory.php/aid/446/The_trust_business.html}. Slide 7-5 Foreign Direct Investment in the World Economy The flow of FDI refers to the amount of FDI undertaken over a given time period, while the stock of FDI refers to the total accumulated value of foreign-owned assets at a given time. Outflows of FDI are the flows of FDI out of a country, and inflows of FDI are the flows of FDI into a country. Slides 7-7-7-8 Trends in FDI There has been a marked increase in both the flow and stock of FDI in the world economy over the last 30 years. Slides 7-9-7-12 The Direction of FDI While the United States remains a top destination for FDI flows, South, East, and Southeast Asia, and particularly China, are now seeing an increase of FDI inflows, and Latin America is also emerging as an important region for FDI. 7-4 Chapter 07 - Foreign Direct Investment Slides 7-14-7-15 The Source of FDI Since World War II, the U.S. has been the largest source country for FDI. The United Kingdom, the Netherlands, France, Germany, and Japan are other important source countries. Slide 7-16 The Form of FDI: Acquisitions Versus Greenfield Investments Most cross-border investment is in the form of mergers and acquisitions rather than greenfield investments. Slide 7-17 The Shift to Services FDI is shifting away from extractive industries and manufacturing, and towards services. Slide 7-18 Theories of Foreign Direct Investment Questions that need to be answered include: Why do firms invest rather than use exporting or licensing to enter foreign markets? Why do firms from the same industry undertake FDI at the same time? How can the pattern of foreign direct investment flows be explained? Slides 7-19-7-21 Why Foreign Direct Investment? Why do firms choose FDI instead of :exporting or licensing? Internalization theory (also known as market imperfections theory) suggests that licensing has three major drawbacks. Slides 7-22-7-24 The Pattern of Foreign Direct Investment Knickerbocker looked at the relationship between FDI and rivalry in oligopolistic industries (industries composed of a limited number of large firms) and suggested that FDI flows are a reflection of strategic rivalry between firms in the global marketplace. Vernon argued that firms undertake FDI at particular stages in the life cycle of a product they have pioneered. According to the eclectic paradigm, in addition to the various factors discussed earlier, it is important to consider: location-specific advantages - that arise from using resource endowments or assets that are tied to a particular location and that a firm finds valuable to combine with its own unique assets and externalities - knowledge spillovers that occur when companies in the same industry locate in the same area 7-5 Chapter 07 - Foreign Direct Investment Slide 7-26 Political Ideology and Foreign Direct Investment Ideology toward FDI ranges from a radical stance that is hostile to all FDI to the noninterventionist principle of free market economies. Between these two extremes is an approach that might be called pragmatic nationalism. Slide 7-27 The Radical View The radical view argues that the MNE is an instrument of imperialist domination and a tool for exploiting host countries to the exclusive benefit of their capitalist-imperialist home countries. Slide 7-28 The Free Market View According to the free market view, international production should be distributed among countries according to the theory of comparative advantage. Slide 7-29 Pragmatic Nationalism Pragmatic nationalism suggests that FDI has both benefits, such as inflows of capital, technology, skills and jobs, and costs, such as repatriation of profits to the home country and a negative balance of payments effect. Slide 7-30 Shifting Ideology Recently, there has been a strong shift toward the free market stance creating: a surge in FDI worldwide an increase in the volume of FDI in countries with newly liberalized regimes Slide 7-31 Benefits and Costs of FDI Government policy is often shaped by a consideration of the costs and benefits of FDI. Slides 7-32-7-34 Host Country Benefits There are four main benefits of inward FDI for host countries: resource transfer effects; employment effects; balance of payments effects, and effects on competition and growth. Slides 7-36-7-38 Host Country Costs There are three mains costs from inward FDI for the host country: the possible adverse effects of FDI on competition within the host nation; adverse effects on the balance of payments; and the perceived loss of national sovereignty and autonomy. 7-6 Chapter 07 - Foreign Direct Investment Slide 7-39 Home Country Benefits The benefits of FDI for the home country include: the effect on the capital account of the home country’s balance of payments from the inward flow of foreign earnings; the employment effects that arise from outward FDI; and the gains from learning valuable skills from foreign markets that can subsequently be transferred back to the home country. Slide 7-40 Home Country Costs The home country’s balance of payments can suffer from the initial capital outflow required to finance the FDI; if the purpose of the FDI is to serve the home market from a low cost labor location; and if the FDI is a substitute for direct exports. Slide 7-42 International Trade Theory and FDI International trade theory suggests that home country concerns about the negative economic effects of offshore production (FDI undertaken to serve the home market) may not be valid. Slide 7-43 Government Policy Instruments and FDI Home countries and host countries use various policies to regulate FDI. Another Perspective: The World Bank has a wonderful site devoted to foreign direct investment. Students can start exploring the site by going to {http://rru.worldbank.org/Themes/ForeignDirectInvestment/}. Then click on “Doing Business” to see an option to download summaries on 175 countries, or to generate instant reports comparing countries on various factors. The site is easy to navigate and contains a wealth of information. Slide 7-44 Home Country Policies Governments can both encourage and restrict FDI Slide 7-45 Host Country Policies To encourage inward FDI, governments offer incentives to foreign firms to invest in their countries, while they restrict inward FDI through ownership restraints and performance requirements. Slide 7-46 International Institutions and the Liberalization of FDI The World Trade Organization is trying to establish a universal set of rules designed to promote the liberalization of FDI. Slide 7-47 Implications for Managers Managers need to consider what trade theory implies, and the link between government policy and FDI. 7-7 Chapter 07 - Foreign Direct Investment Slide 7-48 The Theory of FDI The direction of FDI can be explained through the location-specific advantages argument associated with John Dunning. Slide 7-49 Government Policy A host government’s attitude toward FDI is an important variable in decisions about where to locate foreign production facilities and where to make a foreign direct investment. CRITICAL THINKING AND DISCUSSION QUESTIONS QUESTION 1: In 2004, inward FDI accounted for some 24% of the gross fixed capital formation in Ireland, but only .6% in Japan. What do you think explains the difference in FDI inflows into the two countries? ANSWER 1: One approach to this question is to look at government policy: Ireland is FDI-friendly and Japan has discouraged inward FDI. Both are trade-dependent economies with few natural resources, but Ireland appears far less mercantilist in attitude than does Japan. Ireland has a well-educated, relatively low cost workforce and an abundant supply of labor, while Japan’s workforce, also well-educated, is expensive. QUESTION 2: Compare and contrast these explanations of FDI: internalization theory, Vernon's product life cycle theory, and Knickerbocker's theory of FDI. Which theory do you think offers the best explanation of the historical pattern of FDI? Why? ANSWER 2: Knickerbocker's theory suggests that firms imitate other firms in oligopolistic industries, and will "follow the leader" in undertaking FDI in certain countries, as sort of strategic defensive moves. This theory does not explain why the first firm undertakes FDI, and why it chooses to do this rather than to export or license. The product life cycle theory suggests that firms invest in foreign countries when demand in that country will support local production or when cost pressures make it necessary to locate production in low cost locations. While this theory does explain why some FDI takes place, it also does not explain why FDI is preferred over licensing or exporting. The market imperfections explanation more directly confronts these issues, and explains why FDI may be preferable to other alternatives for expanding business activities. It identifies the importance and difficulty of transferring know-how and describes some of the impediments to exporting. By explaining better exactly why a firm may undertake FDI, the market imperfections model is probably the best explanation of the historical pattern of horizontal FDI. 7-8 Chapter 07 - Foreign Direct Investment QUESTION 3: Read the opening case on Starbucks and then answer the following questions: a) Initially, Starbucks expanded internationally by licensing its format to foreign operators. It soon became disenchanted with this strategy. Why? b) Why do you think Starbucks has now elected to expand internationally primarily through local joint ventures, to whom it licenses its format, as opposed to using a pure licensing strategy? c) What are the advantages of a joint venture entry mode for Starbucks over entering through wholly-owned subsidiaries? On occasion, Starbucks has chosen a wholly owned subsidiary to control its foreign expansion (e.g. in Britain and Thailand). Why? d) Which theory of FDI best explains the international expansion strategy adopted by Starbucks? ANSWER 3: a) Starbucks initially approached its foreign expansion using licensing. However, the company realized that a pure licensing format would not give it the control it desired. b) Starbucks established a joint venture with a Japanese company, and licensed its formula to the joint venture as a way to gain more control over its foreign expansion. Expanding through joint ventures was also attractive because it gave Starbucks access to knowledge of the local market. c) The advantages of a joint venture entry mode for Starbucks as compared to whollyowned subsidiaries include access to knowledge of the local market and the opportunity to share the costs and risks of expansion. d) Internalization theory seems to provide some relevant explanation for Starbucks’ decisions about its foreign strategy Another Perspective: Students may want to explore Starbucks’ web site to see where its most recent stores have opened, and what form of investment was used. The site is available at {http://www.starbucks.com}. Click on “international” to see a list of countries where the company operates. Another Perspective: To expand this case, consider asking students to explore Starbucks’ recent entry into the French market, and its strategic changes in its Chinese operations. Details on both can be found at {http://www.businessweek.com/globalbiz/content/apr2006/gb20060420_895395.htm?chan=searc h} and {http://www.businessweek.com/globalbiz/content/oct2006/gb20061025_712453.htm?chan=searc h}. 7-9 Chapter 07 - Foreign Direct Investment QUESTION 4: You are the international manager of a US business that has just invented a revolutionary new personal computer that can perform the same functions as existing PCs but costs only half as much to manufacture. Several patents protect the unique design of this computer. Your CEO has asked you to formulate a recommendation for how to expand into Western Europe. Your options are (a) to export from the US, (b) to license a European firm to manufacture and market the computer in Europe, and (c) to set up a wholly owned subsidiary in Europe. Evaluate the pros and cons of each alternative and suggest a course of action to your CEO. ANSWER 4: In considering expansion into Western Europe, an international manager might consider three options: FDI, licensing, and export. With export, assuming there are no trade barriers, the key considerations would likely be transport costs and localization. While transport costs may be quite low for a relatively light and high value product like a computer, localization can present some difficulties. Power requirements, keyboards, and preferences in models all vary from country to country. It may be difficult to fully address these localization issues from the US, but not impossible. Since there are many computer manufacturers and distributors in Europe, there are likely to be a number of potential licensees. But by signing up licensees, valuable technological information may have to be disclosed, and the competitive advantage may be lost if the licensees use or disseminate this proprietary knowledge. FDI (setting up a wholly owned subsidiary) is clearly the most costly and time consuming approach, but the one that best guarantees that critical knowledge will not be disseminated and that localization can be done effectively. FDI will also place you in the market into which you want to sell and allow you to be near the consumer. Given the fast pace of change in the personal computer industry, it is difficult to say how long this revolutionary new computer will retain its competitive advantage. If the firm can protect its advantage for a period of time, FDI may pay off and help assure that critical knowledge is not lost. If the innovation is not core and can be easily copied, then licensing would allow the firm to get the quickest large scale entry into Europe and make as much as it can before losing advantage. CLOSING CASE: Cemex’s Foreign Direct Investment Summary The closing case examines Cemex’s rise to global status. Cemex is the world’s third largest cement company and Mexico’s largest multinational company. In Mexico, Cemex is known for its efficient manufacturing and excellent customer service. Cemex began its international expansion in an effort to reduce its reliance on the Mexican market, to capitalize on demand in developing countries and its knowledge of developing companies needs, and finally, to increase its value by acquiring inefficient companies and transferring its skills to those companies. Cemex plans to continue its foreign expansion, and believes that China and India will be important markets in the future. Discussion of the case can revolve around the following questions: 7-10 Chapter 07 - Foreign Direct Investment QUESTION 1: Which theoretical explanation, or explanations, of FDI best explains Cemex’s FDI? ANSWER 1: Cemex is a cement company. Consequently, exporting is difficult because of the weight of the product. If Cemex wants to expand into new markets, the company would either need to license a local company or make an investment in the market directly. Cemex’s success is due in part to its top notch customer service, and relationship with distributors. Because these advantages could be difficult to transfer, the company will probably choose to invest directly. Students should reflect on these factors as they consider the various theories to explain Cemex’s FDI. QUESTION 2: What is the value that Cemex brings to the host economy? Can you see any potential drawbacks of inward investment by Cemex in an economy? ANSWER 2: Cemex is the third largest cement company in the world, and a powerhouse in Mexico where it controls 60 percent of the market. Cemex is highly focused on efficient manufacturing and customer service. Distributors are rewarded for their sales, as are users. The primary benefit Cemex brings to host countries involves these competitive advantages. Cemex acquires companies and then transfers technological, management, and marketing know-how to the new units, improving their performance. The company has brought several acquired companies back to full production, increasing employment opportunities in the host country as well. QUESTION 3: Cemex has a strong preference for acquisitions over greenfield ventures as an entry mode. Why? ANSWER 3: Cemex has successfully acquired established cement makers in many countries. By acquiring companies rather than establishing them from the ground up, Cemex can avoid some of the delays that could occur in the start-up phase, while at the same time, capitalize on the benefits of an established market presence. QUESTION 4: Why do you think Cemex decided to exit Indonesia after failing to gain majority control of Semen Gresik? Why is majority control so important to Cemex? ANSWER 4: Much of Cemex’s success appears to be built around its customer service and attention to distributors. Indeed, it could be argued that what sets Cemex apart from its competitors, or its competitive advantage, is its superior way of dealing with external stakeholders. It is significantly easier to duplicate this sort of advantage in a wholly owned operation than in a joint venture or through licensing arrangements. QUESTION 5: Why do you think politicians in Indonesia tried to block Cemex’s attempt to gain majority control over Semen Gresik? Do you think Indonesia’s best interests were served by limiting Cemex’s FDI in the country? 7-11 Chapter 07 - Foreign Direct Investment ANSWER 5: In 2006, Cemex announced that it would be pulling out of Indonesia. Cemex entered the Indonesian market in 1998, as part of an IMF sponsored privatization program. Cemex purchased a 25 percent stake in Semen Gresik, a government owned cement maker. Cemex’s decision to pull out was a result of a dispute with the Indonesian government. When Cemex has entered the market, it had been promised a majority position in Semen Gresik in 2001. However thanks to the efforts of various special interest groups, permission was never granted. Whether the decision to pull was in the best interests of the country is difficult to say. Certainly it would seem that Semen Gresik could learn from Cemex, and utilize its knowledge to improve its own operations. However, allowing a foreign company to control an industry that is necessary to a country could be detrimental to the nation. Another Perspective: Cemex’s web site is available at {http://www.cemex.com}. INTEGRATING iGLOBES There are several iGLOBE video clips that can be integrated with the material presented in this chapter. In particular, you might consider the following: Title: Sudan’s Economy Fueled By China Chinese Investment Sparks Economic Boom in Sudan Abstract: This video explores the consequences of Chinese investment in Sudan’s oil industry and the challenges facing the Sudanese economy. Key Concepts: foreign direct investment, globalization, global economy, economic development, political economy, trade sanctions Notes: Change is the name of the game in Sudan these days. Seven years ago, the Chinese began investing in Sudan’s oil industry, and since then, many Sudanese have seen their lives improve. Tariq Ibrahim, a Sudanese entrepreneur educated in the United States, for example, opened a hugely successful copy shop modeled after Kinkos targeting oil companies and their executives. Profits are so high that Tariq Ibrahim has been able to pay his employees significantly more than he ever thought possible. Osama Daoud Abdelatif, now the country’s largest private employer, has built a conglomerate involving everything from cars to Coca-Cola. According to Osama Daoud Abdelatif, every aspect of business is booming thanks to the oil investment. 7-12 Chapter 07 - Foreign Direct Investment In Khartoum, the site of an oil refinery, change is everywhere. Chinese know-how and labor have helped make the economy one of the fastest growing in the world. In downtown Khartoum hundreds of new villas targeted at the business elite are currently under construction. However, Sudan’s newfound wealth has also caused the gap between the rich and poor to widen. Prior to the discovery of oil in Sudan, the country had relied on agriculture. Now, fed up with antiquated methods and droughts, many farmers are abandoning their fields. Some have questioned why, given its newfound wealth, the country has failed to modernize its agricultural sector. One former deputy finance minister has warned that if the disparities between rich and poor are not addressed soon, political unrest will increase rise and could cause investors to withdraw. Complaints about the government are common. Some entrepreneurs complain that corruption is making it difficult for them to succeed. Others echo the worry that wealth is not being evenly shared. Osama Daoud Abdelatif has suggested that the government limit its involvement in the economy to areas such as education and healthcare. For its part, the government claims that it has changed, and notes that it no longer supports Osama bin Laden, has settled two civil wars, and intends to be a good global citizen. Still, not everyone is convinced. There is still concern over the situation in Darfur, and how people in Sudan are treated. One businessman stated that if things fail to improve, he will return to England where he was educated. Discussion Questions: 1. China’s 40 percent stake in Sudan’s oil industry has brought significant changes to Sudan. Describe the benefits of the investments to the Sudanese. What, if any, are the disadvantages of the investment? Consider the new challenges the investment brings to Sudan. 2. China has made a significant investment in Sudan. What does China gain from making this investment? 3. Sudan’s newfound wealth has raised concerns that the gap between rich and poor has widened. Discuss this concern from the perspective of both the rich and the poor. Does the government bear any responsibility to ensure the wealth is more evenly distributed? Why or why not? 4. Some Sudanese businessmen have complained that American restrictions on imports have made it difficult for them to conduct their business. In your opinion, should the United States lift the sanctions? Are the sanctions achieving the desired goals? 7-13 Chapter 07 - Foreign Direct Investment INTEGRATING VIDEOS There are also several longer video clips that can be integrated with the material presented in this chapter. In particular, you might consider the following: Title 16: Starbucks Summary Starbucks opened its first store in 1971. Today, the company, which has grown to over 6,000 stores located in 30 different countries, consumes 1.5 percent of the world’s coffee production. A key issue challenging Starbucks is ensuring a consistent supply of premium grade coffee beans for its roasters, a problem that is complicated by volatile prices for coffee on the world market. In the last 15 years supply of coffee has exceeded demand driving the price of coffee to 50 cents a pound. This price is less than what it costs the farmer to produce that same pound of coffee. As a result many small farmers have gone out of business or turned to growing other sustainable subsistence crops. In an effort to promote the sustainability and stability of the industry, Starbucks has formed long- term relationships with farmers agreeing to pay them a fair price for their coffee to ensure the sustainability of this industry. Starbucks has also established a program to offer bridge loans to farmers. These loans, which are paid back as soon as coffee is picked, provide assistance to farmers that are having difficulty accessing credit because of the unpredictability of their business. Discussion Questions 1. What crisis did coffee growers face in the last 15 years? How has Starbucks’ program to provide bridge loans helped coffee growers? 2. Starbucks consumes 1.5 percent of the world’s total coffee production. Why is it so important to the company to maintain a consistent supply of premium coffee? Why did Starbucks believe in building relationships with coffee growers? 3. How does lack of property rights in many tropical countries affect the coffee farmer? 4. Coffee prices have fallen dramatically over the last 15 years, so much so that prices are currently below the cost of production. How do Starbucks’ agreements with its suppliers protect them from this problem? 7-14 Chapter 07 - Foreign Direct Investment globalEDGE™ Exercise Questions Use the globalEDGE™ site {http://globalEDGE.msu.edu/} to complete the following exercises: Exercise 1 The World Investment Report published annually by UNCTAD provides quick electronic access to comprehensive statistics on foreign direct investment (FDI) and the operations of transnational corporations. Gather a list of the top transnational corporations in terms of foreign direct investment. Also, identify each company’s home country (i.e., headquarters country). Provide a commentary about the characteristics of countries that have the greatest number of transnational firms. Are there any common traits you notice concerning countries with many transnational firms? Exercise 2 Your company is considering opening a new factory in Latin America, and management is in the process of evaluating the specific country locations for this direct investment. The pool of candidate countries has been narrowed to Argentina, Mexico, and Brazil. Prepare a short report from a well-known organization’s publication of Country Fact Sheets to compare the foreign direct investment environment and regulations of these three countries. Answers to Exercises Exercise 1 The data source can be accessed by searching the term “World Investment Report” at {http://globaledge.msu.edu/ResourceDesk/}. The link to the World Investment Report is found under the globalEDGE category “Research: Statistical Data Sources”. On this website, the list of members top transnational corporations can be found under the “Largest TNCs” link, located on the left of the page. Be sure to check the “Resource Desk only” checkbox of the search function on the globalEDGE website. Search Phrase: “World Investment Report” Resource Name: UNCTAD: Largest Transnational Corporations Website: {http://www.unctad.org/Templates/WebFlyer.asp?intItemID=3489&lang=1} globalEDGE™ Category: “News & Periodicals: Publications” 7-15 Chapter 07 - Foreign Direct Investment Exercise 2 The foreign direct investment statistics are provided by a variety of sources. One of the most comprehensive sources is the UNCTAD’s Country Fact Sheets and can be accessed by searching the term “Country Fact Sheets” at {http://globaledge.msu.edu/ResourceDesk/}. The link to the Country Fact Sheets is found under the globalEDGE category “Research: Statistical Data Sources”. On this website, country specific information can be found by following the “Country Fact Sheets” link, located on the right side of the page. Be sure to check the “Resource Desk only” checkbox of the search function on the globalEDGE website. Search Phrase: “Country Fact Sheets” Resource Name: UNCTAD Country Fact Sheets Website: {http://www.unctad.org/Templates/Page.asp?intItemID=2441&lang=1} globalEDGE™ Category: “Research: Statistical Data Sources” Alternatively, a lot of the same statistics, as well as detailed write-ups of the FDI environment can also be reached through the Country Commercial Guides. See Chapter 5 – Exercise 1 for instructions on how to reach the Country Commercial Guides through globalEDGE™. 7-16