"One of the most significant developments in the world economy since the Second World War has been the growth of activities of multinational companies. Many economies are dominated by multinationals and the British economy is a major example of such domination. With other countries moving in the same direction, the spread and scale of multinational activity gives rise to profound economic, social and political changes on a global scale. This growth results in considerable disquiet and unease in relation to the effect of such activities and to the overall power of multinational companies." "This is the first book that systematically covers international production. In doing so it addresses the urgent problem of analysing the scale and pattern of such activities as well as their causes and effects." "Providing a clear, concise and comprehensive analysis of trends in both the volume and type of activities, Grazia Ietto-Gillies has undertaken a thorough and critical study of the theories of international production, also giving a full analysis of their effects."--BOOK JACKET.