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Distance and FDI when Contracts are Incomplete

Author

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  • Gianmarco I.P. Ottaviano

    (Università Bocconi; GIIS, Geneva; CEPR)

  • Alessandro Turrini

    (University of Bergamo; UNCTAD; CEPR)

Abstract

We introduce incomplete outsourcing contracts in an otherwise standard model of MNEs based on the trade-off between proximity and concentration. This has both positive and normative implications. As to the former, incomplete outsourcing contracts can account for the observed emergence of FDIs in large markets not only when trade costs are large but also when trade costs are small. As to the latter implications, contractual incompleteness alters someway dramatically the choice of supply mode made when contracts are complete.

Suggested Citation

  • Gianmarco I.P. Ottaviano & Alessandro Turrini, 2002. "Distance and FDI when Contracts are Incomplete," Development Working Papers 165, Centro Studi Luca d'Agliano, University of Milano.
    • Handle: RePEc:csl:devewp:165
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    Cited by:

    1. Arti Grover, 2005. "Outsourcing Versus Foreign Direct Investment--A Welfare Analysis," Working papers 140, Centre for Development Economics, Delhi School of Economics.
    2. Dalia Marin & Thierry Verdier, 2009. "Power in the multinational corporation in industry equilibrium," Economic Theory, Springer;Society for the Advancement of Economic Theory (SAET), vol. 38(3), pages 437-464, March.
    3. Valeria Gattai, 2013. "International outsourcing versus FDI under contractual incompleteness," International Review of Economics, Springer;Happiness Economics and Interpersonal Relations (HEIRS), vol. 60(2), pages 157-186, June.
    4. Valeria Gattai & Corrado Molteni, 2007. "Dissipation of Knowledge and the Boundaries of the Multinational Enterprise," Review of World Economics (Weltwirtschaftliches Archiv), Springer;Institut für Weltwirtschaft (Kiel Institute for the World Economy), vol. 143(1), pages 1-26, April.
    5. Valeria Gattai, 2008. "A Tale of Three Countries: Italian, Spanish and Swiss Manufacturing Operations in China," The World Economy, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(8), pages 969-992, August.
    6. Valeria Gattai, 2006. "From the Theory of the Firm to FDI and Internalisation: A Survey," Giornale degli Economisti, GDE (Giornale degli Economisti e Annali di Economia), Bocconi University, vol. 65(2), pages 225-262, November.
    7. Marcella Nicolini, 2007. "Institutions and Offshoring Decision," CESifo Working Paper Series 2074, CESifo.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Foreign direct investment; international trade costs; incomplete;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F23 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - Multinational Firms; International Business

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