A CONFERENCE is being held in York to discuss the possible response from multinational corporations to Scottish independence.

A panel of experts will examine the implications of Scottish independence for foreign direct investment, and the likely response of multinational corporations, at an event hosted by the York Management School at the University of York.

As part of the Academy of International Business (UK & Ireland) Annual Conference, top academics from across the UK and Ireland will debate ‘Independence for Scotland? Multinational Corporations and Scottish Independence’ on April 11.

Conference chairwoman and host, Professor Annie Wei from the Leeds University Business School and formerly of the York Management School, said: “There has been a lot of debate on the possible economic effects of Scottish independence.

The most recent have focused on the currency in an independent Scotland, and consideration of possible changes in taxation and government budgets and their likely implications. However, the possible responses of multinational corporations have yet to be explicitly discussed.

“The reactions of these corporations to independence in terms of location of their various operations, and for investment in new ventures and developing existing operations would therefore exert significant influence on the likely effects on jobs, incomes and government budgets in an independent Scotland.”

The 41st Academy of International Business (UK & Ireland) Conference will be held at the York Management School from April 10 to 12.

This year’s conference theme is ‘Achieving a New Balance? The Rise of Multinationals from Emerging Economies and the Prospects for Established Multinationals’.

The conference is hosted and chaired by the York Management School, Professor Wei and Professor Frank McDonald from the University of Bradford.