Organization of Multinational Activities and Ownership Structure

Mugele, Christian and Schnitzer, Monika (February 2006): Organization of Multinational Activities and Ownership Structure. Discussion Papers in Economics 2006-23

Abstract

We develop a model in which multinational investors decide about the modes of organization, the locations of production, and the markets to be served. Foreign investments are driven by market-seeking and cost-reducing motives. We further assume that investors face costs of control that vary among sectors and increase in distance. The results show that (i) production intensive sectors are more likely to operate a foreign business independent of the investment motive, (ii) that distance may have a non-monotonous effect on the likelihood of horizontal investments, and (iii) that globalization, if understood as reducing distance, leads to more integration.

• Item Type: Paper
• Keywords: Multinationals, Joint ventures, Technology spillovers, Distance, Horizontal and vertical investments, Ownership structure
• Faculties: Economics; Economics > Munich Discussion Papers in Economics; Economics > Munich Discussion Papers in Economics > Industrial Organization; Economics > Munich Discussion Papers in Economics > International Trade; Economics > Chairs > Seminar for Comparative Economics
• Subjects: 300 Social sciences > 300 Social sciences, sociology and anthropology; 300 Social sciences > 330 Economics
• JEL Classification: F23, L24, L22, L23, D23
• Language: English