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Determinants of FDI in developed and developing countries: a quantitative analysis using GMM

Neha Saini (Faculty of Management Studies, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India)
Monica Singhania (Faculty of Management Studies, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India)

Journal of Economic Studies

ISSN: 0144-3585

Article publication date: 14 May 2018

Issue publication date: 14 May 2018

9259

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the potential determinants of FDI, in developed and developing countries.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper investigates FDI determinants based on panel data analysis using static and dynamic modeling for 20 countries (11 developed and 9 developing), over the period 2004-2013. For static model estimations, Hausman (1978) test indicates the applicability of fixed effect/random effect, while generalized moments of methods (GMM) (dynamic model) is used to capture endogeneity and unobserved heterogeneity.

Findings

The outcome across different countries depicts diverse results. In developed countries, FDI seeks policy-related determinants (GDP growth, trade openness, and freedom index), and in developing country FDI showed positive association for economic determinants (gross fixed capital formulation (GFCF), trade openness, and efficiency variables).

Research limitations/implications

The destination of FDI is limited to 20 countries in the present paper. The indicator of the institutional environment, namely economic freedom index, used in this paper has received some criticism in calculations.

Practical implications

The paper enlists recommendations for future FDI policies and may assist government in providing a tactical framework for skill development, thereby increasing manufacturing growth rate. The paper also throws light on vertical and horizontal capital inflows considering resource, strategy, and market-seeking FDI.

Social implications

FDI may bring significant benefits by creating high-quality jobs, introducing modern production and management practices. It highlights how multinational corporations and government contribute to better working conditions in host countries.

Originality/value

The paper uncovers important features like macroeconomic variables, especially country-wise efficiency scores, policy variables, GFCF, and freedom index, for determining FDI inflows in 20 countries using panel data methods and provides a roadmap for developed and developing countries. The study highlights endogeneity and unobserved heteroscedasticity by applying GMM one- and two-step procedure.

Keywords

Citation

Saini, N. and Singhania, M. (2018), "Determinants of FDI in developed and developing countries: a quantitative analysis using GMM", Journal of Economic Studies, Vol. 45 No. 2, pp. 348-382. https://doi.org/10.1108/JES-07-2016-0138

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2018, Emerald Publishing Limited

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