What drives German foreign direct investment? New evidence using Bayesian statistical techniques

Despite the importance of Germany as an issuer of foreign direct investment (FDI), the studies analyzing its determinants are far from conclusive. This research contributes to filling this gap providing new evidence for the period 1996–2012. In order to reduce model uncertainty, we adopt a Bayesian model averaging (BMA) approach. We find that determinants associated with horizontal FDI appear to be dominant for explaining FDI in developed countries while for the group of developing countries covariates associated with vertical FDI motives play a larger role. Within Europe, while the majority of FDI is horizontally driven in “core” countries, in the “periphery” vertical motivations seem to prevail. Moreover, our results are compatible with more complex FDI models where vertical determinants and institutional variables are gaining prominence as does the leading role currently played by Germany in global value chains (GVC). Our results may provide hints for policymakers’ strategies to attract German investment.