Patterns and Processes of Change in the Spatial Distribution of Foreign-Controlled Manufacturing Employment in the United Kingdom, 1963 to 1975

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Abstract
Considerable changes occurred between 1963 and 1975 in the absolute and relative importance of foreign-controlled manufacturing employment both nationally and regionally. Its spatial distribution became rather more even, but there were substantial spatial and temporal variations in the rate and direction of foreign-controlled employment change. Such changes were brought about by the interaction of several components of which only one—new foreign openings—has been monitored at the national level. Case studies of the foreign sector in two large metropolitan areas, however, show that similar aggregate changes may be produced by quite different combinations of components. The in situ expansion of foreign branch plants explained most of the increase in the size of the foreign sector in Merseyside. By contrast, acquisition of United Kingdom enterprises explained most of the change in Manchester. Such differences raise a number of policy-related issues.