ABSTRACT
This chapter concentrates on new perspectives, particularly those rooted in Africa and tied to the changing dynamics of the global economy. It traces the contours and recent shifts of Multinational Corporations (MNC) activity in Africa. Africa has experienced much FDI based on the global competition amongst resource seeking MNCs. The chapter probes efforts to identify the poverty effects of MNCs. It examines specific areas of debate that MNC activity raises: whether there are positive or negative impacts on local firms; the extent of resource MNC bargaining power; the results from service-sector Foreign Direct Investment; and the potential for gains from export manufacturing MNCs. The chapter also examines the specific areas of debate: the possibility of MNC threats to the environment; the challenges of transfer pricing; and the potential contributions of MNC Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives. It considers policy steps to contribute to improved MNC results.
