M. Anaam Hashmi

Importance of political risk assessment function in U.S. multinational corporations

Abstract A sample of U.S. multinational corporations is selected from Fortune 1000 corporations to study the present political risk assessment function and perceived importance of political risk in the future. The findings suggest that a majority of U.S. corporations are regularly assessing political risk. About half of the corporations are assessing political risk only when the need arises and the remaining corporations have institutionalized the political risk assessment function in their business decision making. U.S. multinationals have also realized that the political environment in the host countries is going to be significantly less friendly in the future.

Multimedia content on the web: problems and prospects

Outlines the technological problems which make it hard to deliver high quality video over the internet, e.g. insufficient bandwidth, clients’ machines etc.; and considers how they might be solved. Describes how digital video, audio presentations and animations can be streamed to a computer and the ways in which various US sectors are actually using streaming media at the moment. Discusses the future for multimedia applications in corporate training, e‐business and higher education; and predicts they will be very widely used as the technology improves.

Role of Mercosur in regional trade growth

Outlines the development of Mercosur (South American economic bloc) and considers the assertion that it protects inefficient Brazilian industries and has failed to create extra trade. Analyses selected 1990‐1997 data for Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay to show that trade and foreign investment have increased since its formation in 1991; and compares the impact on trading patterns and trade balances for all four countries. Admits that Mercosur has some way to go in establishing a common market and has not increased exports to the rest of the world to the extent expected, but regards it as a qualified success.

Global carbon credits and climate exchanges

This study analyses the carbon credits contracts as a market-based mechanism to solve the global environmental problem by offering monetary rewards to countries and corporations that are low greenhouse emitters and putting economic pressure on those that are high greenhouse emitters. The mechanism is a by-product of the Kyoto Protocol which came into effect on February 16, 2005. There are two functioning climate exchanges that are exclusively trading carbon contracts, and at least another four climate exchanges plan to offer carbon contracts in the near future. Finally, this study discusses some of the present and future programs to reduce greenhouse gas emission and suggests additional solutions.

The free trade agreement between the European Union and the Gulf Co‐operation Council: an overview and implications

Assesses the economic strengths and weaknesses of the six member states of the Co‐operation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC) and the patterns of trade between these states and the European Union (EU): the GCC’s largest trading partner. Explains the tariffs applied by the GCC states and the provisions of the EU‐GCC Free Trade Agreement; and considers its implications for trade, tariff revenues, industry, development prospects and political stability. Believes that it will contribute positively to the GCC and EU economies and help to reduce “tension between east and west”.