Final answer:
The notion that firms typically concentrate R&D abroad is false, as they often keep these activities nearer to their headquarters. MNCs are not solely U.S.-based, the U.S. has lower voting rates compared to some countries, outsourcing affects job availability in developed nations, and MNCs can provide better wages in developing countries.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement 'Typically, firms tend to concentrate research and development activities abroad rather than in their home countries.' is false. While multinational corporations (MNCs) do often seek to lower costs by moving factories and certain operations abroad, research and development (R&D) often remains a central function that is typically situated closer to headquarters or in a country with a robust technological infrastructure. This is because an MNC's R&D activities benefit from being close to their main centers of business, where they can coordinate with executive management and protect intellectual property more effectively.
Additionally, option 14.d is incorrect; multinational corporations are not primarily headquartered in the United States. Whilst the U.S. is home to a large number of MNCs, they can have their headquarters in various countries across the world. Option 5 states that the voting rates are not higher in the United States compared to some other democratic industrialized countries such as Sweden and South Korea, which is true; these countries generally have higher turnout rates. Outsourcing, as a result of cost-cutting efforts, does contribute to lower job availability in developed countries. Lastly, multinational corporations sometimes provide higher wages and better benefits in developing countries compared to local businesses, although this can vary widely based on the company and location.