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Why India is mainly engaged in offshore service activities, while China is disproportionately engaged in manufacturing?

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  • LO, Chu-Ping
  • LIU, Bih Jane

Abstract

We extend the model of Antràs and Helpman (Antràs, P., Helpman, E., 2004. Global Sourcing. Journal of Political Economy 112(3), 552-580) by incorporating the merits of Zhang and Markusen (Zhang, K.H., Markusen, J.R., 1999. Vertical Multinationals and Host-country Characteristics. Journal of Development Economics 59(2), 233-252.) to demonstrate why China has been so successful in disproportionately attracting foreign offshore manufacturing activities, while India has been engaged mainly in offshore service activities. We argue that the host country's industry-specific technology capabilities make the difference in FDI composition between China and India. In addition to incomplete contract frictions, the host country's technological capabilities, which affect technology transfer costs, are essential to FDI inflows. We also find that, after excluding overseas Chinese investment, India is almost on par with China in terms of the market size it offers to marketing-seeking FDI.

Suggested Citation

  • LO, Chu-Ping & LIU, Bih Jane, 2009. "Why India is mainly engaged in offshore service activities, while China is disproportionately engaged in manufacturing?," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 20(2), pages 236-245, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:chieco:v:20:y:2009:i:2:p:236-245
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Lo, Chu-Ping & Wu, Shih-Jye & Hsu, Su-Ying, 2014. "The role of overseas Chinese-speaking regions in global sourcing," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 30(C), pages 133-142.
    2. Ning Meng & Chris Milner & Huasheng Song, 2016. "Differences in the determinants and targeting of antidumping: China and India compared," Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 48(43), pages 4083-4097, September.
    3. Asuyama, Yoko, 2012. "Skill Distribution and Comparative Advantage: A Comparison of China and India," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 40(5), pages 956-969.
    4. Soumali Bose & Bindya Kohli, 2018. "Study of FDI Trends and Patterns in BRICS Economies during the Period 1990–2015," Emerging Economy Studies, International Management Institute, vol. 4(1), pages 78-101, May.
    5. Asuyama, Yoko, 2011. "Skill distribution and comparative advantage: a comparison of China and India," IDE Discussion Papers 277, Institute of Developing Economies, Japan External Trade Organization(JETRO).
    6. Subramanian, Nachiappan & Rahman, Shams & Abdulrahman, Muhammad D., 2015. "Sourcing complexity in the Chinese manufacturing sector: An assessment of intangible factors and contractual relationship strategies," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 166(C), pages 269-284.
    7. Kunofiwa Tsaurai, 2017. "The Dynamics of Foreign Direct Investment in BRICS Countries," Journal of Economics and Behavioral Studies, AMH International, vol. 9(3), pages 101-112.

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