The role of multinational corporations in the less developed countries' trade in technology

Abstract

Multinational corporations sell technology - both for production and for consumption - on highly imperfect international markets to less developed countries. The buyers must concern themselves both with appropriateness and with price. Despite some experience to the contrary, multinational firms may increasingly be prepared to sell more labour-intensive technologies and more essential-intensive products. Political influences upon the governments of less developed countries make it likely that the role of multinational corporations in the future sale of more appropriate technologies will be concentrated in manufacturing for export.