E-Book Overview
The publication analyses the universe of the largest transnational corporations TNCs globally and those from developing countries, the market concentration of these firms and the internationalization of their activities. It also addresses the questions of how transnational are TNCs and proposes a new graphical approach to transnationality. Furthermore, it analyses the most-preferred locations by the largest TNCs.
E-Book Content
UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE ON TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT The Universe of the Largest Transnational Corporations UNITED NATIONS New York and Geneva, 2007 ii The Universe of the Largest Transnational Corporations Note UNCTAD serves as the focal point within the United Nations Secretariat for all matters related to foreign direct investment and transnational corporations. With 30 years of experience in these areas, UNCTAD, through its Division on Investment, Technology and Enterprise Development (DITE), promotes understanding of and helps build consensus on matters related to foreign direct investment (FDI), transfer of technology and development. DITE also assists developing countries to attract and benefit from FDI and to build their productive capacities and international competitiveness. The emphasis is on an integrated policy approach to investment, technological capacity-building and enterprise development. The term “country” as used in this study also refers, as appropriate, to territories or areas; the designations employed and the presentation of the material do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Secretariat of the United Nations concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. In addition, the designations of country groups are intended solely for statistical or analytical convenience and do not necessarily express a judgement about the stage of development reached by a particular country or area in the development process. The reference to a company and its activities should not be construed as an endorsement by UNCTAD of the company or its activities. The boundaries and names shown and designations used on the maps presented in this publication do not imply official endorsement or acceptance by the United Nations. The following symbols have been used in the tables: Two dots (..) indicate that data are not available or are not separately reported. Rows in tables have been omitted in those cases where no data are available for any of the elements in the row. A dash (-) indicates that the item is equal to zero or its value is negligible. A blank in a table indicates that the item is not applicable, unless otherwise indicated. A slash (/) between dates representing years, e.g. 1994/95, indicates a financial year. Use of a dash (–) between dates representing years, e.g. 1994–1995, signifies the full period involved, including the beginning and end years. Reference to “dollars” ($) means United States dollars, unless otherwise indicated. Annual rates of growth or change, unless otherwise stated, refer to annual compound rates. Details and percentages in tables do not necessarily add to totals because of rounding. The material contained in this study may be freely quoted with appropriate acknowledgement. UNCTAD/ITE/IIA/2007/2 United Nations Publication Sales No. E.07.II.D.6 ISBN 978-92-1-112715-7 ISSN 1818-1465 Copyright © United Nations, 2007 All rights reserved UNCTAD Current Studies on FDI and Development iii Acknowledgements This publication is part of a new series of current studies on FDI and development published by UNCTAD. The series aims to contribute to a better understanding of how transnational corporations (TNCs) and their activities impact on development. The present study quantif