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Dav­id Castro

Ph.d. Fellow

Subjects
International economics Finance Geopolitics Quantitative methods Green transition Multinational company

Primary research areas

Corporate Structures in Global Business

Analyses how multinational enterprises design and manage complex corporate structures to coordinate operations, finance, and decision-making across borders.

Multinational Enterprises and State Sovereignty

Examines how MNEs influence, adapt to, or challenge state authority in sectors such as environment, defence, and technology

Political Economy of Global Production/Wealth

Explores how international trade, investment regimes, and geopolitical competition shape corporate strategies and cross-border economic governance.

Strategic Use of Jurisdictions

Investigates how MNEs leverage differences in national legal and regulatory frameworks to optimise taxation, compliance, and strategic positioning.

Sustainable Finance

Explores how financial institutions and markets integrate environmental and social considerations into investment and lending decisions, shaping the flow of capital toward sustainability-oriented activities and redefining the relationship between finance and ecological responsibility

I analyse the balance of power between global business and the modern state.

I study how multinational enterprises (MNEs) interact with and influence state authority in the global political economy. My work examines the corporate structures, cross-border ownership networks, and jurisdictional strategies that shape economic sovereignty. 

My research helps: 

Policymakers and regulators understand how MNE strategies affect governance in sectors such as environment, defence, and technology. 

Businesses and civil society anticipate the implications of shifting corporate–state power balances. 

Academics and students explore new frameworks for analysing the political economy of multinational enterprise. 

Impact: 
By mapping how global corporations organise and operate, I contribute to more informed public debate and more effective policy responses to the challenges of transnational governance. 

Outside activities

2025

No outside activities to report

President of the Board, SPOT Nordic , 2023–present

Serving as President of the Board of SPOT Nordic, an association for highly skilled Portuguese professionals in the Nordic countries. The role involves strategic leadership, fostering professional networks, and promoting cultural and professional exchange between Portugal and the Nordic region.
SPOT Nordic