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Labor protection, labor costs, and China's outward foreign direct investment

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  • Li, Zheng
  • Gao, Shan
  • Song, Shunfeng

Abstract

Considering the 2008 Labor Contract Law as a quasi-natural experiment, this paper constructs a double difference model to examine the relationships among labor protection, labor costs, and China's outward foreign direct investment (OFDI). First, we theoretically study the mechanism of the impacts of labor protection. Then, we empirically confirm that the 2008 Labor Law significantly increased China's OFDI, and that this effect is heterogeneous among different firms. Our empirical evidence further suggests that the law increased the probability of Chinese enterprises' OFDI by increasing firms' wages, fixed labor costs, and the level of labor protection.

Suggested Citation

  • Li, Zheng & Gao, Shan & Song, Shunfeng, 2023. "Labor protection, labor costs, and China's outward foreign direct investment," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 84(C), pages 444-459.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:reveco:v:84:y:2023:i:c:p:444-459
    DOI: 10.1016/j.iref.2022.11.022
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Labor contract law; Labor cost; Labor protection; Outward foreign direct investment;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D24 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Production; Cost; Capital; Capital, Total Factor, and Multifactor Productivity; Capacity
    • F21 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - International Investment; Long-Term Capital Movements
    • J31 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials

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