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FDI Technology Spillovers and Wages

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  • Dieter M. Urban

Abstract

This study distinguishes multinational firm (MNE) technology-spillover from learning effects. Whenever learning takes time, the model predicts that foreign investors deduct the economic value of learning from wages of inexperienced workers and add it to experienced ones to prevent them from moving to local competitors. Hence, the national wage bill is unaffected by the presence of MNEs. In contrast to learning, technology spillover effects occur whenever a worker with MNE experience contributes more to local firms’ than to MNEs’ productivity. In this case, experienced MNE workers are hired by indigenous firms and the host country obtains a welfare gain from the presence of MNEs. Implications of this model for the empirical findings of the MNE wage premium and the empirical FDI technology spillover literature are also discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Dieter M. Urban, 2007. "FDI Technology Spillovers and Wages," CESifo Working Paper Series 2132, CESifo.
  • Handle: RePEc:ces:ceswps:_2132
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    Cited by:

    1. Hudea Caraman, Oana Simona & Stancu, Stelian, 2012. "Foreign Direct Investments, Technology Transfer and Economic Growth. A Panel Approach," Journal for Economic Forecasting, Institute for Economic Forecasting, vol. 0(2), pages 85-102, June.
    2. Sándor Csengödi & Dieter M. Urban, 2008. "Foreign Takeovers and Wage Dispersion in Hungary," CESifo Working Paper Series 2188, CESifo.
    3. Dieter M. Urban, 2010. "FDI, Technology Spillovers, and Wages," Review of International Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 18(3), pages 443-453, August.
    4. Konara, Palitha & Tan, Yong & Johnes, Jill, 2019. "FDI and heterogeneity in bank efficiency: Evidence from emerging markets," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 49(C), pages 100-113.
    5. Zhuoran Bai & Shuang Meng & Zhuang Miao & Yan Zhang, 2023. "Liberalization for services foreign direct investment and product mix adjustment: Evidence from Chinese exporting firms," Review of International Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(2), pages 363-388, May.
    6. Chen, Jian & Wang, Lingjun & Li, Yuanyuan, 2020. "Natural resources, urbanization and regional innovation capabilities," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 66(C).

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