Jack N. Behrman

Adequacy of International Codes of Behavior

International codes of corporate behavior have been proposed, discussed, negotiated, and promulgated by governments, transnational corporations, and inter-corporate associations over the past few decades. It is not clear that they have been resoundingly as successful in changing corporate behavior – particularly as to corruption and environmental protection – as have national government requirements imposed on foreign enterprises and their own officials. This article arrays the many attempts to structure cooperative action to re-order corporate behavior on several dimensions – restrictive business practices, labor conditions, human rights, environmental production, and corruption. It then assesses the extent to which behavior has been changed and what techniques are more effective in making corporate behavior more ethical.

Transferring technology to china

The Chinese government has placed great emphasis on acquisition of foreign technology which would enhance the capabilities of existing enterprises. Yet China lacks many of the conditions which would make such transfers effective. The mere acquisition of technology does not assure the contributions sought. There must be a system for receiving the technology and utilizing it effectively, as well as a process of careful selection, so that it is not wasted through inefficiency or non-use. Transnational corporations (TNCs) themselves are not always aware of what is necessary for recipients to utilize the technology effectively. Some have simply transferred technology embodied in equipment or in written or oral communication, leaving the recipients to use it in the best way they see fit. In many cases there is insufficient ability in China to receive and utilize current technology. Effective technology transfers have four pre-requisites: the ability and willingness of the owner of the technology to transfer it,...

Actors and factors in policy decisions on foreign direct investment

Abstract 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.

The multinational enterprise and economic internationalism

Abstract Multinational enterprises have been praised as means of achieving the most efficient use of the worlds resources, and, therefore, as a new means to classical economic internationalism. Examination of their behaviour gives little evidence that they would achieve this goal, for their criteria of decision-making are different and their movement of factors is for company objectives, not economic or market: the market cannot signal long-term investment opportunities. Nor is the multinational enterprise likely to respond to national economic criteria, for its orientation is regional or international, though certainly not yet ‘global’. Conflicts of values and concepts of equity will continue to produce tensions and calls for controls over the multinational enterprise.