This paper analyses the impact of foreign direct investment (FDI) on the development of local firms. We focus on two likely effects of FDI: a competition effect which deters entry of domestic firms and positive market externalities which foster the development of local industry. Using a simple theoretical model to illustrate how these forces work we show that the number of domestic firms follows a u-shaped curve, where the competition effect first dominates but is gradually outweighed by positive externalities. Evidence for Ireland tends to support this result. Specifically, applying semi-parametric regression techniques on plant level panel data for the manufacturing sector we find that while the competition effect may have initially deterred domestic firms’ entry, this initial effect has been outpaced by positive externalities making the overall impact of FDI largely positive in this country.
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Paper provided by DIW Berlin, German Institute for Economic Research in its series Discussion Papers of DIW Berlin with number
426.
Find related papers by JEL classification: F2 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business L6 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Manufacturing O1 - Economic Development, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development
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References listed on IDEAS Please report citation or reference errors to , or , if you are the registered author of the cited work, log in to your RePEc Author Service profile, click on "citations" and make appropriate adjustments.:
Acs, Zoltan J & Audretsch, David B, 1989.
"Small-Firm Entry in U.S. Manufacturing,"
Economica,
London School of Economics and Political Science, vol. 56(222), pages 255-65, May.
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