The spatial redistribution of Japanese direct investment in the United Kingdom between 1991 and 2010

• Published in: Business history Vol. 55; no. 3; pp. 405 - 430
• Main Authors: Buckley, Peter J., Horn, Sierk A., Cross, Adam R., Stillwell, John
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Liverpool Taylor & Francis Group 01-04-2013; Frank Cass & Company Ltd; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Company distribution practices; Company investment; Distribution; Economic behaviour; Economic geography; Europe; Foreign direct investment; Foreign investment; Foreign investments; Historical analysis; Incentives; International business enterprises; Investment decision; Investments; Investors; Japan; Japanese multinational enterprises; Multinational corporations; Multinational enterprises; Organizational behavior; spatial distribution of foreign direct investment; Studies; U.S.A; UK business environment; United Kingdom; United Kingdom; Japan; United Kingdom > UK
• ISSN: 0007-6791; 1743-7938
• DOI: 10.1080/00076791.2013.771338

Japanese firms have a firmly established reputation as influential foreign investors, originating from the surge of foreign direct investment into North America and Europe during the 1980s. This paper examines trends in Japanese corporate behaviour in the United Kingdom, a key investment destination for Japanese firms, over the period 1991 to 2010. Our 'demographic' analysis of Japanese firms' investments includes both investment and exit strategies. It is found that Japanese firms have reconfigured their UK presence in response to a rapidly changing market environment, with an enduring proclivity to cluster, notwithstanding government incentives intended to channel investment towards specific regions of the country.