This document provides an overview of international business economics and the rise of multinational corporations. It begins with definitions of key terms like foreign direct investment, globalization, and multinational corporations. It then discusses the origins and evolution of international business, from nationally-focused firms to multinationals. The document presents facts about the increasing scale and scope of multinational activity. Finally, it introduces some of the main issues debated in international business economics, such as why firms become multinationals and how their strategies are shaped by interactions with governments and international competitiveness.