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Why Is Global Business Investment So Weak? Some Insights from Advanced Economies

Author

Listed:
  • Robert Fay
  • Justin-Damien Guénette
  • Martin Leduc
  • Louis Morel

    (Bank of Canada)

Abstract

Various drivers of business investment can be used to explain the underwhelming performance of investment in advanced economies since the global financial crisis, particularly since 2014. The slow growth in aggregate demand cannot by itself explain the full extent of the recent weakness in investment, which appears to be linked primarily to the collapse of global commodity prices and a rise in economic uncertainty. Looking ahead, business investment growth is likely to remain slower than in the pre-crisis period, largely because of structural factors such as population aging.

Suggested Citation

  • Robert Fay & Justin-Damien Guénette & Martin Leduc & Louis Morel, 2017. "Why Is Global Business Investment So Weak? Some Insights from Advanced Economies," Bank of Canada Review, Bank of Canada, vol. 2017(Spring), pages 56-67.
    • Handle: RePEc:bca:bcarev:v:2017:y:2017:i:spring17:p:56-67
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    1. Lawless, Martina & Martinez-Cillero, Maria & O'Toole, Conor, 2021. "SME investment determinants and financing constraints: A stochastic frontier approach," Papers WP699, Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI).
    2. Martinez-Cillero, Maria & Lawless, Martina & O'Toole, Conor, 2023. "Analysing SME investment, financing constraints and its determinants. A stochastic frontier approach," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 85(C), pages 578-588.
    3. Wulong Gu & Michael Willox, 2018. "Productivity Growth in Canada and the United States: Recent Industry Trends and Potential Explanations," International Productivity Monitor, Centre for the Study of Living Standards, vol. 35, pages 73-94, Fall.
    4. Mathias Lé & Frédéric Vinas, 2020. "The Financing of Investment: Firm Size, Asset Tangibility and the Size of Investment," Working papers 777, Banque de France.
    5. Eric Gargan & Eoin Kenny & Cynthia O'Regan & Conor O'Toole, 2024. "A Cross Country Perspective on Irish Enterprise Investment: Do Fundamentals or Constraints Matter?," The Economic and Social Review, Economic and Social Studies, vol. 55(2), pages 173-215.
    6. Bańbura, Marta & Albani, Maria & Ambrocio, Gene & Bursian, Dirk & Buss, Ginters & de Winter, Jasper & Gavura, Miroslav & Giordano, Claire & Júlio, Paulo & Le Roux, Julien & Lozej, Matija & Malthe-Thag, 2018. "Business investment in EU countries," Occasional Paper Series 215, European Central Bank.

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