Ireland at a Crossroads: Still a Magnet for Corporate Investment?

Ireland has emerged as a prominent location for multinational subsidiaries, especial those from the United States (U.S.). The country's economic development is a microcosm of the global migration of industries, companies, and activities over the last 40 years. From low-skill manufacturing and a...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Organizational dynamics 2005-09, Vol.34 (3), p.202
Main Authors: Begley, Thomas M, Delaney, Ed, O'Gorman, Colm
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Competitive advantage
Economic growth
Foreign investment
Multinational corporations
Product development
Studies
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:Ireland has emerged as a prominent location for multinational subsidiaries, especial those from the United States (U.S.). The country's economic development is a microcosm of the global migration of industries, companies, and activities over the last 40 years. From low-skill manufacturing and assembly in the 1960s to high-skill product development and professional services in the new millennium, multinational companies have profited from Ireland's favorable corporate tax scheme, educated and motivated English-speaking workforce, former moderate cost of operations, and access to European Union (EU) markets. However, higher labor costs, infrastructure shortcomings, and EU accession of lower-cost Eastern Europe countries seeking to emulate the Irish model have altered its competitive profile. In this paper, we examine strategies for fitting Ireland's advantages most usefully into the corporate value chain, highlighting the changing nature of its competitive advantages. Using examples, we identify earlier success strategies, current opportunities, and ways companies are transitions from old to new. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]
ISSN:0090-2616
1873-3530
DOI:10.1016/j.orgdyn.2005.06.002