Implications of foreign direct investment for national sovereignty: The Wal-Mart/Massmart merger as an illustration

The Wal-Mart/Massmart merger has caused concern about its possible influence on the South African economy, employment and the autonomy of the state. This study analyses strategic considerations for states that allow foreign corporations to engage in their domestic markets. Globalisation and transnational harmonisation have led to an impetus for corporations to extend their activities across national borders and foreign markets. Based on the theory of sovereignty, this is evaluated against a trilateral background of home country, host country and corporation. The outcome that emerges is that in some cases states have lost a significant share of sovereignty to multinational authorities. With the Wal-Mart/Massmart merger, role-players such as the government, competition commission and trade unions got involved early on and ensured maximum advantage to the country and its citizens. The final conclusion is that such partnerships between host, home governments and transnational corporations can minimise the loss of national sovereignty, but this can only be achieved against a backdrop of economic, societal and political stability and co-operation.     

Boko Haram terrorism in Nigeria: The international dimension

The terrorist group Boko Haram, or the self-described People of the Tradition of the Prophet (SAW) for Preaching and Striving, continues to terrorise Nigeria, with horrible consequences. Clearly, study of the problem cannot be disconnected from the complex nature of Boko Haram itself, considering the group's unclear agenda and its shadowy sponsors — internal or external. A key question regarding the nature of Boko Haram is whether it has a transnational dimension or not. This paper examines the nature of Boko Haram terrorism in Nigeria. It argues that Boko Haram's terrorism does indeed have a transnational dimension, demonstrating that its agenda and targets transcend Nigeria, and that there are international links to the operations of Boko Haram. Given this international dimension, what concerns does Boko Haram generate for countries outside Nigeria, and what are their responses to the group's continued acts of terrorism? This analysis is contextualised within the charged debate on the definition of terrorism and the modern trend of religious terrorism in the international arena.     

海牙-维斯比规则的一年诉讼时效是否适用无单放货

从海牙/海牙-维斯比规则的强制法律效力入手,通过对规则第三条第6款"一年诉讼时效"含义的解读,结合英国、美国、澳大利亚及中国香港无单放货的相关判例,探讨规则强制法律效力的终止时间,以及第三条第6款的不足之处,冀对新近联合国国际贸易法委员会和国际海商法协会共同制定的《运输法草案》(或称《鹿特丹规则》(草案))有所裨益。     

国际直接投资的变化及对国际经济关系的影响

二十世纪九十年代以来 ,全球化进程加快 ,跨国直接投资对此起了较大的推动作用。跨国直接投资呈现出新的特征 ,本文分析了国际直接投资的新变化及对国际经济关系造成的影响。     

跨国公司侵犯人权行为的法律规制简

在当前国际经济秩序中,跨国公司凭借其强大的经济实力愈发扮演起重要的角色.跨国公司在经营活动中,侵犯东道国人权的问题已引起广泛关注.然而,现行法律框架不足以规制跨国公司在东道国侵犯人权的行为.在现行国际法规制模式下,跨国公司不是国际法主体,国际法无法直接规制跨国公司行为.在现行国内法规制模式下,东道国没有实力进行规制,甚至有些侵犯人权行为在东道国法律体系下根本不构成违法;母国没有意愿进行规制,唯一相关的母国立法,即美国ATCA存在诸多缺陷,实际效果有限.通过母国法律规制母公司的行为是一种解决途径,主要基于“企业理论”使母公司对子公司在东道国的侵犯人权行为承担责任,或者母国通过立法给母公司施加规制子公司行为的义务,但是该途径也在法律上及实践中存在障碍.根本的解决途径是促使发展中东道国积极签署并切实履行人权保护相关公约,来规制境内跨国公司侵犯人权的行为,提升本国法治环境.     

跨国公司在华设立研发机构的国际政治经济学理解

跨国公司在华研究开发(R&D)投资是跨国公司以所有权优势获取利益战略的深化,客观上有利于中国在国际经济中的地位上升,同时也使中国面临着与跨国公司争夺知识的结构性权力的博弈。     

论我国跨国并购立法的完善

随着世界经济的日趋全球化,跨国并购成为企业进入全球市场、提高国际竞争力、实现资源优化配置的主要方式。修改、完善现有法律法规、借鉴外国经验,制定反垄断法及专门的外商投资审查法,是我国立法界的当务之急。     

Multinationals and institutional competitiveness

This article discusses how institutional competitiveness and multinationals are mutually enriching concepts. Multinationals transfer capital, technology, and knowledge into new settings. They allow subsidiaries access to new markets, new resources, and new processes. Potentially, therefore, institutional competitiveness can be increased by the presence of multinational corporations (MNCs) and their subsidiaries. However, this depends on the type of multinational and the type of institutional context. By differentiating two types of MNC in terms of short‐term and long‐term orientations to investment, and two types of host institutional setting in terms of strength of institutional complementarities and interconnectedness, we develop a typology of four types of interaction between MNCs and institutional settings. We then analyze how each type influences institutional competitiveness. We conclude that these outcomes, while structurally shaped, are still dependent on how actors (individuals, firms, collective organizations, and governments) strategize to develop institutional frameworks in the context of highly competitive global markets.     

韩国影视剧的跨国传播对我国文化建设的启示

20世纪90年代中后期以来,并非代表欧美主流文化的韩国影视剧在我国屡掀热浪,并形成了耐人寻味的“韩流”现象。反思这一文化现象,可以得到许多对我国文化建设有益的启示:一是要注重挖掘电视传媒的经济资源;二是开展文化品牌的打造与传播;三是在跨文化交流中应保持文化自觉。     

Factors of efficiency of multinational companies in Slovenia

This paper investigates factors of the company efficiency for the sample of the multinational companies in Slovenia. Their efficiency performances are compared with similar Slovenian non-multinational companies. The unique in-depth survey evidence is combined with the secondary data from the official registry of companies. The paper finds that efficiency of the multinational companies in Slovenia is determined by the leadership factors in a way of the decision-making in the company and by the way of the motivation of the employees in the company. Among the motivation factors, there are found significant association for the flexible working time, good relations with collaborators and security of employment. The company innovativeness in terms of the considering of new ideas for the improvement of working conditions are also found as factors to significantly contribute to the efficiency of the multinational companies in Slovenia, but less so the company economic culture and the satisfaction of the employees.