A Physics of Organizational Uncertainty: Perturbations, Measurement and Computational Agents

Abstract

This chapter constructs a dynamic model of a multinational enterprise (MNE) to quantify the effects of various capital control policies on a firm’s debt and equity positions, innovations, and outputs at the headquarters and subsidiary. The model is calibrated to the US Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Benchmark Survey and the IMF’s Exchange Arrangements and Exchange Restrictions so that it reproduces the average US FDI and technology flows to foreign subsidiaries. Both steady-state and transition analyses suggest a significant impact of capital controls on an MNE’s operations. Lifting capital restrictions produces an inflow of capital and technology into the less developed countries, leading to an increase in the steady-state FDI position and production. Simulation experiments reveal that even short-term capital controls have long-lasting negative effects.