Foreign direct investment (FDI) can take several forms, including equity joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions, and wholly owned subsidiaries. The main forms of non-equity collaborative arrangements are management contracts, turnkey projects, franchising, licensing, and sales contracts. Joint ventures are a popular form of investment that involve two or more partner companies. FDI is undertaken for various reasons such as gaining access to markets, resources, strategic assets, or to benefit from operating efficiencies. While licensing can be an alternative, FDI allows for tighter control which is sometimes necessary to maximize profits. China, the United States, and Hong Kong are among the largest sources of outward FDI in recent years.