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Productivity Spillovers from FDI in China: Regional Differences and Threshold Effects

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  • Jianhong Qi
  • Yingmei Zheng
  • James Laurenceson
  • Hong Li

Abstract

Economic theory posits numerous channels through which FDI might create positive spillovers for domestic firms. However, the results of empirical studies that have sought to document these spillovers have been mixed. One explanation for this variation is that the capacity of domestic firms to absorb spillovers might vary. In the present paper, we explore these issues in the case of China. Aside from being one of the world's leading hosts of foreign direct investment, China makes for an interesting case study because its provinces vary greatly with respect to those factors most commonly held to influence absorptive capacity, such as the initial level of technology in domestic firms. This paper begins by empirically establishing that the spillovers from foreign direct investment do indeed vary across provinces. Threshold values for various factors that influence absorptive capacity factors are then estimated and it is found that conditions in many provinces presently fall short of these values. This provides an obvious focus of attention for China's policy‐makers.

Suggested Citation

  • Jianhong Qi & Yingmei Zheng & James Laurenceson & Hong Li, 2009. "Productivity Spillovers from FDI in China: Regional Differences and Threshold Effects," China & World Economy, Institute of World Economics and Politics, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, vol. 17(4), pages 18-35, July.
  • Handle: RePEc:bla:chinae:v:17:y:2009:i:4:p:18-35
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1749-124X.2009.01156.x
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    2. Guillaumont Jeanneney, Sylviane & Hua, Ping, 2011. "How does real exchange rate influence labour productivity in China?," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 22(4), pages 628-645.
    3. Naijela Janaina Costa Silveira & Diogo Ferraz & Eduardo Polloni‐Silva & Diego Scarpa de Mello & Fernanda Pereira Sartori Falguera & Herick Fernando Moralles, 2022. "Modeling the building blocks of country‐level absorptive capacity: Comparing developed and emergent economies," Bulletin of Economic Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 74(3), pages 783-824, July.
    4. Renai Jiang & Hong Cai & Yali Li & Hong Li, 2010. "China's Sustained Economic Growth: Do Direct R&D Spillovers Matter?," China & World Economy, Institute of World Economics and Politics, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, vol. 18(5), pages 37-53, September.
    5. Metaxas, Theodore & Kechagia, Polyxeni, 2012. "F.D.I. through the imitation procedure The case of China: A Note," MPRA Paper 40886, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    6. Kiyoyasu Tanaka & Yoshihiro Hashiguchi, 2015. "Spatial Spillovers from Foreign Direct Investment: Evidence from the Yangtze River Delta in China," China & World Economy, Institute of World Economics and Politics, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, vol. 23(2), pages 40-60, March.
    7. Bingqiang Li & Xi Li & Jinzhi Li & Hongchun Lin & Baojuan Rui, 2023. "Empirical Analysis of Export Tax Rebate on Inwards Foreign Direct Investment in China," SAGE Open, , vol. 13(4), pages 21582440231, December.
    8. Malin Song & Jun Tao & Shuhong Wang, 2015. "FDI, technology spillovers and green innovation in China: analysis based on Data Envelopment Analysis," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 228(1), pages 47-64, May.
    9. Lo, Dic & Hong, Fuhai & Li, Guicai, 2016. "Assessing the role of inward foreign direct investment in Chinese economic development, 1990–2007: Towards a synthesis of alternative views," Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, Elsevier, vol. 37(C), pages 107-120.
    10. Zumian Xiao & Hongfeng Peng & Zheyao Pan, 2022. "Innovation, external technological environment and the total factor productivity of enterprises," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 62(1), pages 3-29, March.
    11. Jingtao Yi & Yan Chen & Chengqi Wang & Mario Kafouros, 2015. "Spillover Effects of Foreign Direct Investment: How do Region-Specific Institutions Matter?," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 55(4), pages 539-561, August.
    12. Karima Kourtit & Yuyuan Wen & Peter Nijkamp & Wentao Yu & Jin Hong & Yunhao Zhu & Dora Marinova & Xiumei Guo, 2014. "Creative industry clusters, regional innovation and economic growth in China," Regional Science Policy & Practice, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 6(4), pages 329-347, November.
    13. Hu, Yong & Fisher-Vanden, Karen & Su, Baozhong, 2020. "Technological spillover through industrial and regional linkages: Firm-level evidence from China," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 89(C), pages 523-545.

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