Transnational Companies Research Articles

The DigiPrime KPIs’ framework for a circular economy transition in the automotive industry

Reducing waste and pollution are imperative needs of our time. Manufacturers, especially large, transnational companies, can lead the way by adopting more sustainable practices. One of the practices is the adoption of circular economy models in manufacturing enabling the transition from the current linear “take-make-dispose” model to closed loop economy models that reduce waste production. One of the largest, most innovative sectors in Europe is the automotive industry. The aim of this study is to formalise the main key performance indicators that actors across the value chain of the automotive industry need to monitor as they were brought forward from the EU funded H2020 research programme DigiPrime.

Институты политического рейтингования: истоки, проблемы и перспективы

The article is devoted to the role of political risk in the modern world and the necessity to correlate methods and models of assessment and forecasting to the new challenges of the time. In the article are examined the conditions of transit from the conceptual understanding of the risk to the risk of financial operations and property/money losses and from the risk of nationalization to a new multiple risk which is closely correlated to political decisions and individuals. There is conducted a comparative analysis of the main existing risk assessment models. The author also makes an attempt to assess the compliance of these models to the present challenges in the context of increasingly complex and interdependent relations of actors, including business, states, international institutions, transnational companies and society. The article explores the exclusive and independent role of political risk that exists in correlation with the economic, operational and reputational risks produced by individuals in the context of the rapid spread information. The article proves the independent role of political risk that has no subordinate position to the economic component. The author provides examples of the leading role of political risks in determination of business strategy and management decisions. There are also examined several approaches to the analysis of political risks at the stage of concept genesis and in the context of both globalization and regionalization of international relations. The author considers rating agencies as an important instrument of stability in the relationship between business and the state and to makes an attempt to identify the shortcomings that are found in their activities and do not meet modern realities. The author comes to the conclusion that it is necessary to revise not only the methodology for assessing and predicting political risks, but also the conceptual understanding of the institutional environment in which the roles of the state, business and society have changed.

РАЗРАБОТКА СИСТЕМЫ МЕР ПО УПРАВЛЕНИЮ ПРОЦЕССАМИ ТРАНСНАЦИОНАЛИЗАЦИИ В СЕЛЬСКОМ ХОЗЯЙСТВЕ В КОНТЕКСТЕ УСКОРЕНИЯ ИНТЕГРАЦИИ НА ПРОСТРАНСТВЕ ЕЭАС

The transnationalization of world economic relations is one of the most pressing trends in the modern world economy. The most important feature of the globalization of the world economy is the transnationalization of business and the active exit of companies beyond national borders in order to expand markets for products and make investments. The processes of transnationalization of production and capital, the institutional units of which are transnational companies, are the driving force of not only the modern world economy, but also develop in the EAEU space. Integration leads to the emergence of economic interconnection between states and contributes to the emergence and formation of new supranational economic entities - transnational corporations - transnational management structures. The processes of transnationalization in agriculture are proceeding at a slower pace, which is associated with the low investment attractiveness of this sphere of economic activity in comparison with others, such as industrial and financial spheres. However, transnational processes today affect all economic spheres and the EAEU agricultural market is no exception. The process of integrating the agri-food complex of the EAEU into the world system is possible both through the creation of joint TNCs and through the arrival of foreign TNCs in the EAEU. The main economic prerequisite for the transnationalization and internationalization of agriculture in the EAEU is the concentration and centralization of both international capital and the capital of the EAEU member states. The article is devoted to the study of the processes of transnationalization in agriculture, the specific features of the synergistic effect in the transnational production system are revealed, indicators for assessing the effectiveness of measures to manage the processes of transnationalization in agriculture are considered.

ТРАНСФОРМИРОВАНИЕ ПРОЦЕССА СОЗДАНИЯ ГЛОБАЛЬНЫХ ЦЕПОЧЕК СТОИМОСТИ В СОВРЕМЕННЫХ УСЛОВИЯХ

The urgency of the paper is caused by the fact that 90% of world trade, according to UNCTAD, is under restrictions resulted from the closure of borders between countries in the context of the pandemic. The study deals with the formation of global value chains (GVCs) mainly within one region: product transportation leverage reduces as formerly the GVCs represented vertical cooperation initiated by international transnational companies (TNC). The authors researched the transformation of the GVCs creation process and identified that more active application of advantages of horizontal cooperation between economic entities of various territorially close countries would result in the reformatting of the geography of the GVCs formation. At the same time, the impact of the pandemic on economic globalization as a whole determines the strengthening of interstate coordinated regulation, including on a regional scale. At the same time, the impact of the pandemic on economic globalization as a whole determines the strengthening of interstate coordinated regulation, including on a regional scale. Under the current conditions, a sufficiently large number of countries ignore the WTO rules, which is accompanied by the protectionism and sanctions policy, which is practically illegal from the point of view of international law. The study identifies that the signing of the Comprehensive Regional Economic Partnership by the ASEAN countries is evidence of regionalization of international interaction, indicated the development of a trend in the formation of a regional legal framework for the development of economic cooperation agreed by the participants, relying on the WTO basic legal norms. Economic cooperation includes the problems of regulation of electronic trade, competition policy, intellectual property protection, and other matters formerly not mentioned in agreements. The authors conclude that actual economic regionalization, including the transformation of the GVC formation process towards the increase of the share of their regional component, is an immanent feature of the world economy transformation in the context of real polycentrism towards the use of advantages of horizontal cooperation between the economic entities of different territorially close countries.

How to combat efforts to overturn bans on electronic nicotine delivery systems: lessons from tobacco industry efforts during the 1980s to open closed cigarette markets in Thailand

Until 1990, it was illegal for transnational tobacco companies (TTCs) to sell cigarettes in Thailand. We reviewed and analysed internal tobacco industry documents relevant to the Thai market during the...

Технологическое противостояние США и Китая в Европе

The article is devoted to the analysis of the confrontation between USA and China in the field of advanced technologies in Europe. On the example of the leading Chinese technological transnational company (TNC) Huawei which is the world leader in the development and deployment of advanced telecommunications networks of the fifth generation 5G it is shown that the confrontation between the US and China in the field of technology is a manifestation of intense competition at the interstate level that will increase. It is shown that the policy and increasingly tough US measures do not meet understanding and support from the many countries and this is clearly seen in Europe, which today is the main market for technological products of US and China and therefor has become the main arena of confrontation between them. The key EU countries in their evaluations and approach to cooperation with Huawei are guided primarily by their economic interests and put into practice a balanced and pragmatic approach. Amid tougher American sanctions and increasing political and economic pressure Chinese TNC Huawei maintained its position in the European market considering it as a strategic asset and alternative to the closed US market. An important factor in strengthening positions of Chinese companies in Europe would be implementation of EU-China Comprehensive Agreement on Investments.

Пространственная диффузия азиатских прямых инвестиций в североевропейских странах Европейского союза

The first publications on the spatial diffusion of foreign direct investment (FDI) appeared in the 1970s-1990s. Since then, many of their provisions have been repeatedly criticized as outdated and inconsistent with the empirical evidence of the current stage of globalisation. Previously, only examples of ‘newcomers’ to internationalisation were used to illustrate distinct phases in the expansion of transnational companies and their effort to first establish themselves in major economic centres, as the factor of gradually growing awareness of potential investors began to play an important role. This article aims to show the persistent character of FDI spatial diffusion patterns and their correlation with the existing hierarchy of cities. In our research, we used the example of Asian companies working in the Baltic countries, Finland, Sweden and Denmark, newcomers to internationalisation, not affected by the ‘neighbourhood effect’, and contrasted them with Western European investors. We confirmed the validity of the hierarchical wave model of the FDI spatial diffusion with the dominance of metropolitan urban agglomerations. It was also found that mergers and acquisitions are dominant forms of FDI in developed countries. Their ascendancy leads both to a distortion of the geographical pattern of subsidiaries networks of investor companies and to the intention of investors to sell their assets in provinces and move their head offices closer to capital cities. Consequently, there is a simplification of the structure of businesses, which is typical of the earlier stages of the FDI spatial diffusion.

Empresas y derechos humanos: La evolución histórica de la regulación internacional de las empresas transnacionales en materia de derechos humanos

El artículo versa sobre la regulación internacional de las empresas transnacionales en materia de Derechos Humanos. El texto inicia explicando los conceptos base necesarios para comprender el debate. Continúa con la descripción de los principales hechos en cuanto a la evolución de la regulación internacional. Por último, el autor plantea que el siguiente paso será la adopción de un tratado multilateral que busque otorgarle mayores garantías a los individuos.

Peculiarities of chinese transnational companies (On the example of sinopec)

Peculiarities of chinese transnational companies (On the example of sinopec)

Small-scale land grabbing in Greater Gaborone, Botswana

Most of the studies on land grabbing tend to focus on the acquisition of large tracts of land by transnational companies interested in biofuel and/or food-crop production. The practice has been applauded for enhancing food security, creating cash employment for local communities, and providing renewable energy sources. It has also been criticised for benefitting a few local elites and disadvantaging the poor and marginalised communities. This article attempts to analyse the phenomenon of small-scale land grabbing in urban and peri-urban areas. A literature review method was adopted; searches included online databases, in particular Google Scholar, Web of Science and ResearchGate and the University of Botswana Catalogue (UBRISA). Relevant references cited in downloaded articles are reviewed, until additional searches did not lead to new findings. Using ‘land grabbing’ as a tool for analysis, the article makes an audit of two reports by presidential/judicial commissions of inquiry into problems of land allocations in and around Gaborone to uncover land-grab deals and processes in communal and state-owned land in Botswana. The audit revealed that land grabbing in Greater Gaborone is an imperceptible process carried out by politicians, chiefs, businessmen, the elite and other people who understand the market value of urban and peri-urban land. The process has compromised urban land governance, poor people’s rights to the city, housing, community, recreational facilities, and increased socio-economic inequalities in the city. Finally, the article underscores the need to undertake further studies and audits to collect empirical data on the exact nature and extent of land grabbing in urban and peri-urban areas.

International Political Economy Through the Lens of Globalization: A Critical Review

Emergence of the International Political Economy as a platform for a complex interface between economy and politics coincides with a strong momentum of the last phase of globalization. The interdependence is explained through the prism of three classical theories, liberalism-as a pro-globalist theory, mercantilism, and Marxism, both skeptical of globalization. Shrouded in numerous controversies globalization has indeed achieved limited results. Paradoxically, actors in the borderless, neoliberal world are exclusively driven by capital. Governments often allow transnational companies to dictate market developments with direct influence on employment, gross domestic product, and power distribution. The aim of this paper is to show whether the neoliberal order is on the wane, an order in which non-liberal measures such as trade protectionism and border closure are increasingly being resorted to pushing back the processes of world economy liberalization. The basic liberal, democratic pillars of equality and justice have collapsed before the interest-driven economy.

The process of economic integration and globalization in the area of financial reporting, focusing on publication of financial statements in the Czech Republic and in selected countries of the European Union

Research background: One of the most important features of the current development of the world economy is international integration, which is taking on global dimensions. Operations of transnational companies and the development of the global capital market brings the necessity of accounting harmonization. The goal of this is to ease the mutual observation, reporting, use and thus creation of a single, international accounting. Purpose of the article: The purpose of this article is to describe the current state of the process of harmonization during preparing the annual accounts in the Czech Republic and in selected countries of the European Union, with the analysis of impacts of change in the legislative framework to the obligations of entities in the area of preparation and publication of financial statements. Methods: Scientific procedures using theoretical methods were used in the paper, which include description, analysis, synthesis, comparison and evaluation, inclusive of processing and evaluation of data and information obtained from research conducted by business entities in the Czech Republic. Findings & Value added: The article analyses the impacts of the process of harmonization and globalization on the area of financial reporting and on publishing financial statements. Based on the acquired theoretical and practical knowledge, the paper suggests possible solutions to improve the informational obligations of accounting units. The paper also evaluates the achievement of compliance in the area of reporting financial statements from the perspective of the Czech Republic and selected countries of the European Union.

Полярність впливу факторів глобалізаційних перетворень

The article discloses the issue of polarity of influence of factors of globalization transformations. The research is aimed at systematizing the factors of positive and negative impact of globalization transformations on the example of Ukraine. The definition of the essence of globalization is provided and a semantic explanation of polarity is determined. Polarity as a result of the research is defined as opposing the factors of influence, in particular comparing the positive and negative impact on globalization transformations. For an objective analysis, a more detailed analysis of negative and positive factors of globalization transformations in the aspect of Ukraine is carried out. In particular, the dynamics of foreign direct investments in Ukraine, as well as their structure in terms of sectors of the national economy and the countries that make these investments, are displayed. It is emphasized that to a large extent globalization transformations in the economy are shown by the example of the activities of transnational companies that constantly create new business structures in order to rationally divide the market. The meaning of transnational corporations for the economy of Ukraine is characterized and the turnovers of the largest ten of them are determined. It is noted that the positive factors of globalization transformations include: increase in the volume of foreign direct investment and budget revenues; cultural development; acceleration of scientific and technological progress; free movement of the population in different countries; regulation of ecological and medical situation; expansion of sales markets; rationalization of resource use; improving the quality of production. The negative factors of globalization transformations include: displacement of small entrepreneurs and small businesses from the market; economic and political weakening of the country; development of the shadow economy; obstruction of national interests; complications of entering the domestic business market; reduction of labor resources that are of strategic importance for the country; excessive use of the country’s natural resources.

Investigating and Comparing Petroleum Contract Models from Effective Control Lens in Contracts

Selecting the suitable petroleum contract pattern is one of the most sensitive in oil activities after the initial petroleum negotiations, whereas different petroleum contracts have emerged due to the willingness of the host government to grant control and oversight of petroleum activity to the International Oil Company. The right to control effectively is the key to earning more and longer-term profit and impact on project economics for each of the parties. Occasionally, this right to effective control creates a major challenge for host countries and international and transnational oil companies. In the meantime, domestic law requirements play an important role along with the willingness of governments to maintain or grant effective control.

Russian NFG, TNC and SOC of the oil and gas complex on the regional and world markets

The most powerful Russian NFG (national financial group) (Lukoil, Tatneft, Sibur Holding), transnational companies (TNCs) (Gazprom, Rosneft) and small oil companies (SOCs) (Sibir Energy PLC, West Siberian Resources) operate in the oil and gas complex. The oil and gas complex traditionally acts as a guarantor of the country’s energy security. The new economic conditions in 2021 are associated with a decrease in demand for oil and products from it, high dependence on imports, and the suspension of wells to complete a deal under OPEC ++, which will lead to a market drop by 3-10%. The purpose of the paper is to conduct a comparative analysis of Russian NFG, TNCs and SOCs in the regional and global oil and gas markets. The initial materials used to conduct the research were statistical data from the Center for Macroeconomic Analysis and Short-Term Forecasting, the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation, the Analytical Center under the Government of the Russian Federation and world rating reports. The pandemic and self-isolation of 2020 have led to a decrease in the intensity of global supply chains, affecting Russian NFGs, TNCs and SOCs in the oil and gas sector. The Russian oil and gas sector has lost 50-60% of its proceeds from the export of hydrocarbons, which is more than 50% of its capitalization. To support the industry, the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation will have allocated RUB 35 billion by 2024. Today, Russian NFGs, TNCs and SOCs operate in conditions of a negative damper, contraction of the domestic market, reduction of crack spreads and restrictions on production growth. Therefore, the following is relevant for them: for NFGs - search for new sales markets (for example, Asia), for TNCs - the use of innovative technologies to maintain the profitability of oil and gas production, for SOCs - development of small deposits and deposits with hard-to-recover reserves. For TNC net importers of oil from the European Union, Japan, and Korea, the electromobilization process is a potential source of economic growth. European majors, such as BP, Equinor, Shell and Total, have set decarbonization goals, transforming from oil and gas to diversified energy companies.

Perkembangan Aspek Hukum Alih Teknologi Di Indonesia

This legal research aims to analyze the various applicable laws and regulations related to the rules on technology transfer in Indonesia. The legal research method used in this legal research uses normative legal research and uses secondary legal material as a reference for collecting data. This legal research would like to convey the need for regulation of Sui Generis technology transfer which has become an interesting old issue and needs to be discussed. That the rules of technology transfer which are spread in various laws and regulations are felt to be unable to provide legal protection for the host country where developed countries invest and establish their companies. Inability to provide protection is basically no strict sanctions if the country or TNC does not make efforts to transfer technology as mandated by the legislation. This because the provisions regarding transfer technology are an agreement and do not have compelling power for developed countries or transnational companies. Therefore, by doing the preparation of technology transfer sui generis as well as special attention from the government about this condition, it will provide benefits and advantages for the host country to manage the transfer of technology that it obtains

REGULATORY MECHANISMS OF UKRAINIAN PHARMACEUTICAL MARKET COMPETITIVENESS IN THE CONTEXT OF EUROPEAN INTEGRATION

The purpose of the paper is to summarize and present the differences in the competitive environment of the European Union (EU) and Ukrainian pharmaceutical markets. The method of longitudinal study allowed to detect the patterns of changes and correlations for pharmaceutical products exports and imports volumes over twenty years (2001-2020). Methodology. The research is based on the definition of the pharmaceutical market as a complex socio-economic institution that fulfills the function of pricing medical products and utilizes them to ensure health care functioning. It indicates the population’s wellbeing and requires ongoing maintenance based on needs agreement of households, economic entities, and the state. The quantitative research is based on export-to-import coverage ratio calculations with the identification of pharmaceutical products fraction in the total volume of foreign trade, including the one with the EU. The results of the paper consist in the evaluation of the competitive environment of the European Union’s pharmaceutical market and statistical assessment of Ukrainian foreign trade of pharmaceutical products. They also include the definition of the European integration influence over the Ukrainian pharmaceutical market and well-reasoned recommendations about the application of the state and trade regulation mechanisms. In the paper, we defined the distinctive features of the European countries’ pharmaceutical markets and outlined their main characteristics that have connections to the transnational corporation’s activities, common market, and high concentration. Statistical data collected over 20 years indicated the dynamic development of the Ukrainian pharmaceutical market, despite its small-scale contribution to the foreign trade turnover. The dependence of Ukraine on the foreign supplies of drugs and medications is illustrated by the multiple excesses of imports over exports, especially in the trade relationships with the EU. The EU countries are the leading importers of pharmaceutical products to the Ukrainian market. However, the share of medical supplies exports from Ukraine to the EU countries is negligible. Their key exporters are post-Soviet and developing countries. The growth in Ukraine’s export potential is inextricably linked to the expansion of the competitiveness of domestic medical supplies. Practical implications consist in the development of recommendations concerning the GMP and GDP demands realization, domestic manufacturers cooperation with the leading foreign pharmaceutical companies, the penetration of transnational companies into the Ukrainian domestic pharmaceutical market based on imports of innovative technologies, the improvement of the marketing management of the pharmaceutical products exporting. The priority factor in the growth of the competitiveness of the Ukrainian pharmaceutical market is a successful combination of state and trade regulation mechanisms. The objects of these factors are the pricing policy for material resources and finished products, the introduction of innovations, tax exemptions, and export-import quotas implementation. They also include the establishment of traffic rates that depend on the market saturation with socially significant medical supplies, budget support of the prioritized subsectors of the pharmaceutical industry, and patent protection. The expected results concern the decrease in the dependence of the Ukrainian pharmaceutical market on the foreign distribution of the raw materials and finished products and strengthening the positions of the Ukrainian manufacturers in foreign markets. Value/originality. We evaluated the competitiveness of the national pharmaceutical market based on the criteria of foreign trade performance and detected the priorities of its growth, taking into consideration the synthesis of the state and trade regulation mechanisms.

The targeting of preschoolers, children, adolescents and adults by the Canadian food and beverage industry on television: a cross-sectional study.

Unhealthy food advertising can negatively impact children's food preferences and nutritional health. In Canada, only companies participating in the self-regulatory Children's Food and Beverage Advertising Initiative (CAI) commit to limiting unhealthy food advertising to children. We analyzed food advertising from 182 Canadian television stations in 2018. A principal component analysis explored patterns of advertising by 497 food companies and their targeting of preschoolers, children, adolescents, and adults. Chi-square analyses tested differences in the volume of advertising between target age groups by heavily advertising food companies and by CAI-participating and non-participating companies. In 2018, Maple Leaf Foods, Boulangerie St-Méthode, Exceldor Foods, Goodfood Market and Sobeys advertised most frequently during preschooler-programming. General Mills, Kellogg's, the Topps Company, Parmalat and Post Foods advertised most frequently during child-programming, while Burger King, McDonald's, General Mills, Kellogg's and Wendy's advertised most frequently during adolescent-programming. CAI-participating companies were responsible for over half of the food advertising broadcast during programs targeted to children (55%), while they accounted for less than half of the food advertising aired during programs targeting preschoolers (24%), adolescents (41%) and adults (42%). Statutory food advertising restrictions are needed to limit food companies' targeting of young people on television in Canada. Novelty: Advertising from fast food restaurant chains dominated television programming targeted to adolescents in 2018. Advertising from breakfast cereal, candy, and snack manufacturers dominated television programming targeted at children in 2018. Over 100 Canadian and transnational companies contravened broadcast restrictions on advertising to preschoolers in 2018.

Deciding over the territory governance of mining conflicts. The cases of andalgalá, in catamarca, and famatina, in La rioja, Argentina. (2005–2016)

In recent times, two global phenomena have converged: the growing demand for natural resources and a mobilized citizenry that claims participation in the decisions about their territories. Thus, socio-environmental conflicts often arise where communities, appealing to environmental and cultural values, confront transnational companies and governments interested in natural resources exploitation. Despite the multiplication of literature and environmental governance strategies, these disputes continue to be characterized more by the trend toward radicalized conflict than by consensus and democratic resolutions. Aiming to deepen the understanding of this phenomena, we study the conflicts unleashed from the installation of open-pit mining projects in the provinces of Catamarca and La Rioja in Argentina. We look for the characteristics of the interactions between the State, the civil society and the business sector that hinder the progress towards governance processes that bring by democratic resolutions to mining conflicts. Based on a comparative study at the subnational level, it is shown that mining conflicts are characterized by not developing effective governance processes. We argue that this is related to three central factors. First, a failed articulation between the actors, ineffective negotiation instances, disparate normative and cognitive frameworks, inefficient external agents, and the absence of joint public policy proposals. Second, the lack of will and capacity of the provincial governments combined with the weakness of the institutional mechanisms. And finally, the generation of a deep antagonism in the positions and discourses of the actors provoked by the particularities of the mining projects.

"O Rio é como o sangue da gente": mineração e ambiente nos campos do Alto Camaquã

This abstract ethnographically reflects about the movilization in defense of the Camaqua River, in the Serra do Sudeste, in the Brazilian pampa, based on questions raised along the Lida Campeira – National Inventory of Cultural References (INRC Lida Campeira) and the field work in the high part of the basin, in the “stone fields” or “campos dobrados”. The Alto Camaqua region, a mining target since the 18th century, presents a paradox: on one hand it is where the biodiversity of the pampa biome is preserved the most, on the other hand, it is considered as the poorest part of the state. In 2014, the transnational companies Nexa Resources (ex-Votorantim Metais) and Iamgold Corporation requested the opening of a mining Project of lead and other heavy metals in the district of Minas of Camaqua, with the expectation of using water from the river. In this sense, this text follows the lida campeira and the lifestyle of the inhabitants of Alto Camaqua, but also the historical mining experience – and resulting terror of it.