Foreign direct investment (FDI) takes several forms, including equity joint ventures, management contracts, turnkey projects, franchising, and licensing. Companies pursue FDI for various reasons, such as to avoid trade barriers, gain control over operations, or protect proprietary knowledge. The amount of global FDI has increased substantially in recent decades as more countries liberalize their investment policies. Major sources of outward FDI now include large emerging economies like China. [/SUMMARY]