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This study focuses on the impact of foreign direct investment (FDI) on local firms in host economies. We examine both backward and forward linkages and their effects on domestic firms. Data collection was undertaken over a three-year period whereby qualitative in-depth interviews were carried out with senior managers in UK headquarters, subsidiaries and ‘linked’ local firms in order to facilitate a multi-perspective approach to examining this topic. Results indicate that linkages do exist, contrary to earlier belief. The main factors which facilitate linkage formation were found to be subsidiary-related variables, mainly the mode of entry into the local market, subsidiary autonomy, level of embeddedness and subsidiary role. It was also found that government regulation and policy had some impact on the formation of linkages. Over time the impact on local firms was found to be positive with increased employment, productivity and significant upgrading of skills and competencies. The key contribution of this chapter is to extend the literature on linkages to consider services while developing a conceptual framework in this area. Overall, our study confirms the importance of the subsidiary in linkage formation and also shows how the externalities occurring from linkage formation in the service sector may benefit local firms and subsequently aid local economic development as a whole.

NL Industries, Inc. and Textron Inc. signed a definite agreement for the acquisition of the Spencer‐Kellogg Division of Textron Inc. by NL Industries, Inc. for an undisclosed sum.

Stainless steel grades on show. Exhibiting for the first time at Offshore Europe '85, to be held on 10–13 September 1985 at the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre, on Stand 1E5/23 Avesta Johnson Stainless Ltd will be presenting the Avesta range of stainless steel products, including welded stainless steel pipe and tube from AST.

The purpose of this paper is to study the curing mechanisms, anticorrosive properties and protective mechanisms of three kinds of amine curing agents applied in a new kind of light colored water‐borne epoxy antistatic anticorrosive paint.

Using light color‐conductive mica, titanium oxides and environmentally‐friendly anticorrosive pigments in the two‐component water‐borne epoxy system, the light colored water‐borne antistatic anticorrosive paint was prepared. The molecular structure and curing mechanisms of the curing agents was analyzed by Fourier transform infra‐red spectroscopy, and the influence of the curing agents on anticorrosive properties and protective mechanisms was studied by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.

The paints cured by the modified amine curing agent possessed optimal integrated properties with a coating surface resistivity of 10⁶ Ω and the best anticorrosive performance.

A novel light colored water‐borne epoxy antistatic anticorrosive paint cured by the optimal curing agent could be used in corrosion protection for oil tanks to replace the traditional oil‐based antistatic anticorrosive paints.

The class of naturally‐occurring substances known collectively as clays includes a very great variety of hydrated aluminium silicates, formed by the breakdown of alumino‐silicate rocks through the agency of physical and chemical influences over long periods of geological time. The term ‘china clay’ is generally reserved for the clays which consist primarily of kaolinite and exhibit marked whiteness in their natural state.