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This book considers the question of the impact of multinationals on Sweden. Based on extensive original research the book examines the benefits and drawbacks of multinationals for Sweden. It relates the Swedish case of multinationals to theories of multinational enterprise and to theories of industrial change. It reviews the extensive debate within Sweden on the question and discusses the policy options available to Sweden. It argues that the mix within a multinational and the spatial distribution (either at home or abroad) of production, research and development, marketing and central functions is important in determining whether a multinational has a beneficial or adverse effect on a country like Sweden. As a small open economy which is considerably affected by movements in international trade Sweden provides the rest of the world with a unique example of the impact of multinational enterprises in terms of both outward and inward foreign direct investment.

The main thrust of Part 1 is to give some understanding of the concept of ‘global competition'. In doing so, the chapters rely heavily on industrial studies. Part 2 deals with two different aspects of this change viewed from two different perspectives. The one is economic and more macro: the other political and social and more micro, being concerned with the way in which companies have to utilize their various organisational units and integrate information on a fragmented environment into a strategic whole. Part 3 deals specifically with technology, as the particular segment of the environment which often has the largest impact on future strategies. In Part 4 the perspective of global competition is applied at industry, country and company levels and it is shown that this perspective adds new dimensions to old problems. The final parts address the problem of management in global competition.