ABSTRACT
The aim of this chapter is to consider the major economic issues relating to the impact of inward direct investment on the UK, reviewing official data sources and academic and other studies on the subject. The ultimate purpose is to establish some of the influences of inward-investing multinationals on UK competitiveness, thereby providing a basis for later consideration of sensible policies. This is the first of three chapters dealing with the impact of multinationals: the next chapter assesses the important regional dimensions of impact, and Chapter 5 considers the impact question within a corporate strategy framework (linking back to the Chapter 1 themes of globalisation and technology) as well as touching on industry and nationality of ownership dimensions.
