¹School of Business, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong

Correspondence: MJ Enright, School of Business, University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong. Tel: +852 2859 1023; Fax: +852 2858 5614; E-mail: menright@business.hku.hk

Received 26 August 2003; Revised 4 August 2008; Accepted 26 August 2008; Published online 19 March 2009.

Abstract

Analysis of survey results from 440 manufacturing multinationals active in the Asia-Pacific shows that there are significant differences in the patterns of location decisions for different corporate activities in the region. Analysis of a random effects mixed model of activity location suggests relationships between a variety of location and firm attributes and foreign investment in different activities, and shows that the patterns of significance among the explanatory variables differ across different activities. The results are consistent with the view that firm activities, along with resources and knowledge, should be viewed as fundamental components of the multinational firm.