The AIAS MNE Database and the WageIndicator Survey

Abstract

In this chapter we present an overview of the AIAS multinational enterprises (MNE) database as well as some preliminary analyses of data derived from it. As we will show, the central variables in this database are the locations of companies, subsidiaries, and establishments, and their mutual ownership relations. The inclusion of such data allowed us to trace patterns of internationalization of MNEs, such as their degrees of internationalization (their spread over countries) and diversification (their range of activities). We mainly focused on these patterns in the five industries scrutinized, namely, metal and electronics manufacturing, retail, finance and call centres, information and communication technology (ICT), and transport and telecom. All of these industries are the subjects of detailed analyses in Chapters 3 to 7. Additionally, in this chapter and in Chapter 8 we also report at a more general level, highlighting the five industries jointly and/or the private sector in general in the countries studied. For purposes of more detailed reporting we selected companies using two criteria: their degree of internationalization (having substantial interests in at least 3 of 13 countries) and their sales ranking in the industry in question. In addition, we also used company annual reports for building the MNE database and sales data were taken from the yearly Forbes and Fortune rankings.