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What drives bilateral foreign direct investment among Asian economies?

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  • Nguyen, Anh T.N.
  • Haug, Alfred A.
  • Owen, P. Dorian
  • Genç, Murat

Abstract

This study analyses the role of knowledge transfers via bilateral foreign direct investment (FDI) among 31 Asian economies. We make three distinct contributions to the literature on the drivers of FDI by: (1) applying the knowledge-capital model to FDI among Asian economies for the first time, using a comprehensive data set, and comparing it to an empirical gravity-type model of FDI; (2) conducting model selection tests to choose between alternative empirical specifications and estimation methods; and (3) modelling both the FDI participation decision and the decision on the amount of FDI. The main findings are: (1) while vertical FDI, driven by seeking low-cost unskilled labour, appears to be the dominant type of intra-Asian FDI, overall the knowledge-capital model is not supported by the data; and (2) conventional gravity variables (e.g., size, distance, common language) provide a better explanation of intra-Asian FDI and, therefore, a more suitable vehicle for future research.

Suggested Citation

  • Nguyen, Anh T.N. & Haug, Alfred A. & Owen, P. Dorian & Genç, Murat, 2020. "What drives bilateral foreign direct investment among Asian economies?," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 93(C), pages 125-141.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecmode:v:93:y:2020:i:c:p:125-141
    DOI: 10.1016/j.econmod.2020.08.003
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    2. Mariam Camarero & Laura Montolio & Cecilio Tamarit, 2022. "Explaining German outward FDI in the EU: a reassessment using Bayesian model averaging and GLM estimators," Empirical Economics, Springer, vol. 62(2), pages 487-511, February.
    3. Anh T. N. Nguyen & Andrzej Cieślik, 2021. "Determinants of foreign direct investment from Europe to Asia," The World Economy, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 44(6), pages 1842-1858, June.
    4. Alfred A. Haug & Anh T. N. Nguyen & P. Dorian Owen, 2023. "Do the determinants of foreign direct investment have a reverse and symmetric impact on foreign direct divestment?," Empirical Economics, Springer, vol. 64(2), pages 659-680, February.
    5. Nathapornpan Piyaareekul Uttama, 2021. "International Investment Agreements Provisions and Foreign Direct Investment Flows in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Region," Economies, MDPI, vol. 9(1), pages 1-23, March.
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    7. Paniagua, Jordi & Peiró-Palomino, Jesús & Santana-Gallego, María, 2022. "Does happiness drive tourism decisions?," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 111(C).
    8. Hock Tsen Wong, 2022. "Asymmetric Real Exchange Rate and Foreign Direct Investment Determinants: An Empirical Study of Malaysia," Capital Markets Review, Malaysian Finance Association, vol. 30(2), pages 19-37.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Intra-asian bilateral FDI; Knowledge-capital model; Gravity model; Corner solution outcomes; Zero values; Skill differences; PPML; Lognormal hurdle;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C51 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric Modeling - - - Model Construction and Estimation
    • F21 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - International Investment; Long-Term Capital Movements
    • F23 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - Multinational Firms; International Business

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