Dışa dönük doğrudan yabancı yatırımların arkasında yatan sebepler: Arçelik örneği

In this study I examine outward foreign direct investment of countries and investigate what triggers multinational companies to invest abroad. Most people in Turkey mean inward foreign direct investment when they talk about foreign direct investment but as a growing phenomenon outward foreign direct investment from less developed countries requires more studies. This thesis addresses this need. I start with the argument that when firms make decisions to invest abroad; not only economic but also other factors play important roles. These include social networks, previously established relationships, and various forms of contacts between businesses, governments and individuals.I lay out this argument in terms of a specific case study. This thesis examines the case of Arçelik as an example of a company which makes outward investment decisions from Turkey. The research is based on the following: analysis of Arçelik?s annual reports, examination of video footage about the company?s past and interviews with key figures in the company. While examining the outward investment strategies of the company, I ask to what extent general theories about internationalization of firms explain the case of Arçelik. This analysis reveals that while cost benefit calculations are of paramount importance, social networks, economic and political histories of countries in question, technological resources, even friendship bonds are influential in the firm?s investment decisions.