ABSTRACT
In the preceding chapters, a review was conducted of various theories which sought to explain the factors that influence the motivations of firms engaging in production abroad, their choice of location, and their selection of market entry mode. It is noteworthy that many of these theories were developed to explain the behaviour of firms that originate from advanced industrialised countries and were investing in operations in such countries. Indeed, it has been acknowledged that there is a paucity of international business research conducted on less industrialised, less developed countries or what has been quixotically described as the ‘forgotten locations’ by Thomas (1996). This study thus seeks to provide further clarity to the discussion of factors influencing the investment decisions and corporate strategy of MNEs in developing countries, specifically three island states in the Caribbean: Jamaica, Barbados Trinidad-Tobago. What it proposes to do is to test the relevance of the theories discussed in previous chapters to the foreign direct investment that is undertaken in these three countries. In so doing, it hopes possibly to refine the extant theories on foreign direct investment.
