Why are my corp upgrades listed as "pending"?

I know from reading game documentation it is a good investment for a new country to upgrade its corporations as fast as possible, so in the long run, it will generate far higher profits, and sell far higher quality products/services, with less costs for staff.

Question: why do I see nearly all of my 14 state-owned corporations with 1 or more "pending" upgrades?

I presume until they get upgraded, one by one, the quality level will remain where it is -- near 100.

Any suggestions, please?

Once you buy them your corp upgrades, so pending is just how many points it'll go up the next month. It can go up a maximum of two upgrades per month. Keep in mind that they cost a lot and you really don't make any money as you buy them, not telling you to stop, just for info

But I thought that upgrades, while costly as you note, eventually bring in larger profits per month? At least that is what the documentation seems to suggest. Perhaps I'm misreading it.

No it does, definately buy them buy them straight up, but while buying them your corps cash reserves and pofit payments won't pay out. But no worries their is a ceiling once you stop buying them because you've reached 200/225/250 depending on the corp your profitibility should be much higher.

also as you upgrade you may notice that how many factory maintenance you need goes up

Also 'pending' might be referring to you having bought them but are awaiting delivery. Many things dont appear immediately, unless you order them as an immediate order in which case you will pay (says the game) about 20% extra, and its still no guarantee of immediate delivery but your order will be the first filled.

For sure buy them as quickly as your corp can afford them. I would just use the automatic upgrading system if I were you and if the corp gets really short of cash your country or CEO will send it some money.