International investment agreements: A sustainable balance?

SOMO is a centre for research on multinational corporations. In 1973 SOMO was founded to provide different organisations with knowledge on the structure and organisation of Transnational Corporations (TNCs) by conducting independent research. In the Seventies the conduct of Transnational Corporations gave cause for intense international discussions. TNCs were accused of using their power in a negative way. There was a lot of debate about the growth of the economic and political power of TNCs as being the main carriers of Foreign Direct Investment. The concerns included the abuse of dominant market positions, a lack of commitment to the host economy, disrespect for labour rights and interference in national politics. At that time it appeared there was little basic knowledge on the structure and organization of TNCs.