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Multinational enterprises, service outsourcing and regional structural change

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  • Andrea Ascani
  • Simona Iammarino

Abstract

This article offers a joint analysis of two phenomena characterising most advanced economies in recent decades: the rise of foreign ownership in manufacturing activities and the pervasiveness of the service economy. The analysis focuses on a specific intersectoral demand-side channel for structural change: the forward linkage established by foreign manufacturing multinational enterprises (MNEs) with service providers through outsourcing in the UK local labour markets. Descriptive evidence shows that service outsourcing by foreign manufacturing plants is notably larger than that of their domestic counterparts. On this basic premise, we estimate the local multiplier effect that foreign manufacturing activity has on service employment. To test our hypotheses, the methodology adopts an instrumental variable approach. Our findings suggest that foreign MNEs in manufacturing can act as a catalyst for regional structural change by stimulating employment in intermediate services via demand linkages. While the composition of this effect seems to be homogeneous in terms of the knowledge content of services, differences are found once the degree of their spatial concentration is accounted for.

Suggested Citation

  • Andrea Ascani & Simona Iammarino, 2018. "Multinational enterprises, service outsourcing and regional structural change," Cambridge Journal of Economics, Cambridge Political Economy Society, vol. 42(6), pages 1585-1611.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:cambje:v:42:y:2018:i:6:p:1585-1611.
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1093/cje/bey036
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    Cited by:

    1. Gagliardi, Luisa, 2019. "The impact of foreign technological innovation on domestic employment via the industry mix," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 48(6), pages 1523-1533.
    2. Giovanini, Adilson & Morrone, Henrique & Pereira, Wallace Marcelino, 2025. "Structural change, vertical integration and KIBS: Does “fighting” for manufacturing matter?," Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, Elsevier, vol. 74(C), pages 274-285.
    3. Blackaby, David H. & Drinkwater, Stephen & Robinson, Catherine, 2020. "Regional Variations in the Brexit Vote: Causes and Potential Consequences," IZA Discussion Papers 13579, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    4. Davide Castellani & Giovanni Marin & Sandro Montresor & Antonello Zanfei, 2020. "Foreign Direct Investments and Regional Specialization in Environmental Technologies," SEEDS Working Papers 0620, SEEDS, Sustainability Environmental Economics and Dynamics Studies, revised Apr 2020.
    5. Dalila Ribaudo, 2023. "Tracking the Van: The role of forward linkages in logistics MNEs' location choices across European NUTS 3 regions," Papers in Regional Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 102(2), pages 331-362, April.
    6. Yibo Qiao & Andrea Ascani & Andrea Morrison, 2024. "External linkages and regional diversification in China: The role of foreign multinational enterprises," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 56(4), pages 1077-1101, June.
    7. Silvina A. Romano & Jon Mikel Zabala‐Iturriagagoitia, 2022. "Davids versus Goliaths: Epigenetic dynamics and structural change in the Swedish innovation system," Growth and Change, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 53(4), pages 1737-1761, December.
    8. Justine Kyove & Katerina Streltsova & Ufuoma Odibo & Giuseppe T. Cirella, 2021. "Globalization Impact on Multinational Enterprises," World, MDPI, vol. 2(2), pages 1-15, April.
    9. Wallace P. Marcelino & Fabrício Missio & Frederico G. Jayme Jr, 2025. "Enhancing Industry-Modern Services Integration via Competitive Real Exchange Rates," Textos para Discussão Cedeplar-UFMG 680, Cedeplar, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais.
    10. Castellani, Davide & Marin, Giovanni & Montresor, Sandro & Zanfei, Antonello, 2022. "Greenfield foreign direct investments and regional environmental technologies," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 51(1).
    11. Zoltán Elekes & Ron Boschma & Balázs Lengyel, 2018. "Foreign-owned firms as agents of structural change in regions: the case of Hungary 2000-2009," Papers in Evolutionary Economic Geography (PEEG) 1812, Utrecht University, Department of Human Geography and Spatial Planning, Group Economic Geography, revised Mar 2018.

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • F6 - International Economics - - Economic Impacts of Globalization
    • R1 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics
    • O3 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights

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