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Cathedrals in the Desert? Transnationals, Corporate Strategy and Locality in Wroc ^ aw

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  • Jane Hardy

Abstract

HARDY J. (1998) Cathedrals in the desert? Transnationals, corporate strategy and locality in Wroc ^ aw, Reg. Studies 32, 639-652. This paper examines the relationship between the strategy and restructuring of transnational corporations, patterns of foreign direct investment and the transformation of the regions of East and Central Europe. Different views of the impact of foreign direct investment are interrogated by taking a case study approach which focuses on 12 significant brownfield and greenfield investments in the Wroc ^ aw region of Poland. The paper examines the relationship between their mode of entry and institutional engagement. Economic impacts are explored through looking at both the internal restructuring of firms and the wider linkages created in the local region. The paper concludes that, whilst the internal impact on individual firms has been marked, local linkages are not significant. Questions are raised about the effects of competition on indigenous firms. It is suggested that FDI has created 'cathedrals in the desert'. The paper argues that, rather than creating core or dynamic regions, FDI simply produces regions that contain a larger than average number of firms which have been made competitive. HARDY J. (1998) Des oasis dans le desert? Les societes transnationales, la strategie des societes et la localisation dans la region de Wroc ^ aw, Reg. Studies 32, 639-652. Cet article examine le rapport entre la strategie et la restructuration des societes transnationales, la distribution de l'investissement direct etranger et la transformation des regions de l'Europe centrale. A partir d'une etude de cas qui porte sur dix projets etablis dans les zones friches et sur les terrains vierges dans la region de Wroc ^ aw en Pologne, on etudie divers points de vue quant al'impact de l'investissement direct etranger. Cet article examine le rapport entre leur strategie d'implantation et le partenariat institutionnel. On examine les retombees economiques en considerant a la fois la restructuration interne des entreprises et les liens externes crees au sein de la region. Pour conclure l'article affirme que malgre l'importance de l'impact interne sur des entreprises individuelles, les liens locaux s'averent moins marques. On pose des questions concernant l'impact de la concurrence sur les entreprises autochtones. On laisse supposer que l'investissement direct etranger a creedes "oasis dans le desert". L'article soutient que, plutot que de creer des regions centrales ou dynamiques, l'investissement direct etranger n'etabit que des regions qui comprennent un parc d'entreprises competitives qui depasse la moyenne. HARDY J. (1998) Kathedralen in der Wuste? Ubernationale Organisationen, Korporative Taktik und Ortsgegend in Wroc ^ aw, Reg. Studies 32, 639-652. Dieser Aufsatz untersucht die Beziehung zwischen der Taktik und Umstrukturierung ubernationaler Korperschaften, Muster auslandischer Direktinvestitionen und der Transformation der Regionen Mitteleuropas. Es wird verschiedenen Ansichten uber die Auswirkung auslandischer Direktinvestitionen das Wort erteilt, indem ein Fallstudienansatz benutzt wird, der sich auf zehn bedeutende Investierungen in Altbaugebieten und im Grunen in der Wroc ^ awer Gegend Polens konzentriert. Der Aufsatz untersucht das Verhaltnis zwischen der Modalitat ihres Beitritts und institutioneller Verpflichtung. Wirtschaftliche Auswirkungen werden sowohl mittels Betrachtung der internen Unstrukturierung von Firmen als auch der weitreichenderen Verknupfungen in der Ortsgegend untersucht. Der Aufsatz kommt zu dem Schluss, dass zwar eine ausgepragte interne Auswirkung auf individuelle Firmen feststellbar ist, ortliche Verknupfungen jedoch unbedeutend blieben. Fragen uber die Wirkung der Konkurrenz auf einheimische Firmen werden besprochen. Es drangt sich der Gedanke auf, dass auslandische Direktinvestierungen (Foreign Direct Investment - FDI) "Kathedralen in der Wuste" geschaffen habe. Der Aufsatz tritt dafur ein, dass FDI statt dynamischer oder Kernregionen einfach solche schaffe, die eine uberdurchschnittliche Anzahl von Firmen enthalten, die wettbewerbsfahig geworden sind.

Suggested Citation

  • Jane Hardy, 1998. "Cathedrals in the Desert? Transnationals, Corporate Strategy and Locality in Wroc ^ aw," Regional Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 32(7), pages 639-652.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:regstd:v:32:y:1998:i:7:p:639-652
    DOI: 10.1080/00343409850119526
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    2. Gál, Zoltán, 2019. "Az FDI szerepe a gazdasági növekedés és a beruházások területi differenciálódásában Magyarországon [The foreign direct investment role in Hungarys economic growth and territorial differentiation of," Közgazdasági Szemle (Economic Review - monthly of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences), Közgazdasági Szemle Alapítvány (Economic Review Foundation), vol. 0(6), pages 653-686.
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    4. Stoll, Michael (ed.), 2004. "Strukturwandel in Ostdeutschland und Westpolen," Arbeitsmaterial der ARL, ARL – Akademie für Raumentwicklung in der Leibniz-Gemeinschaft, volume 127, number 311.
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