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Foreign direct investment and labor demand by skill in Indonesian manufacturing firms

Author

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  • Toshiyuki Matsuura

    (Keio University)

  • Hisamitsu Saito

    (Hokkaido University)

Abstract

A recent debate on globalization addresses the importance of skills for firms’ performance in developing countries. Employing microdata from Indonesian manufacturing, we examine the externality effects of inward foreign direct investment (FDI) on labor demand by skill in local firms and identify the relative contribution of each effect to their skill structure. The results show that local firms replace unskilled workers with skilled ones to enable transactions with foreign firms in downstream industries. However, severe labor market competition for skilled workers with foreign firms hinders them from upgrading the skill structure. Moreover, severe product market competition decreases demand for unskilled workers in local firms. Thus, an adequate supply of skilled workers is crucial for the better performance of local firms. The results also highlight the necessity of policies to mitigate the negative impact of inward FDI on unskilled employment in the host economy.

Suggested Citation

  • Toshiyuki Matsuura & Hisamitsu Saito, 2023. "Foreign direct investment and labor demand by skill in Indonesian manufacturing firms," Review of World Economics (Weltwirtschaftliches Archiv), Springer;Institut für Weltwirtschaft (Kiel Institute for the World Economy), vol. 159(4), pages 921-941, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:weltar:v:159:y:2023:i:4:d:10.1007_s10290-022-00485-y
    DOI: 10.1007/s10290-022-00485-y
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Foreign direct investment; Labor market competition; Skill intensity;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F23 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - Multinational Firms; International Business
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • R11 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Regional Economic Activity: Growth, Development, Environmental Issues, and Changes

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