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Foreign Direct Investment, Wage Inequality, and Skilled Labor Demand in EU Accession Countries

Author

Listed:
  • Giovanni S.F. Bruno

    (Bocconi University, Milan)

  • Rosario Crinò

    (CESPRI-Bocconi University)

  • Anna M. Falzoni

    (University of Bergamo; CESPRI-Bocconi University)

Abstract

During the 1990s Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic have experienced rapid increases in wage inequality between skilled and unskilled workers and received the largest FDI inflow in Central and Eastern Europe. This paper analyzes whether FDI has contributed to the raise in earning inequality via a change in the skill composition of labor demand in the three countries. While we find that in Hungary and the Czech Republic FDI exerts a positive direct impact on the skill-premium, in none of the countries considered FDI has worsened wage inequality by favoring labor demand shifts.

Suggested Citation

  • Giovanni S.F. Bruno & Rosario Crinò & Anna M. Falzoni, 2004. "Foreign Direct Investment, Wage Inequality, and Skilled Labor Demand in EU Accession Countries," Development Working Papers 188, Centro Studi Luca d'Agliano, University of Milano.
    • Handle: RePEc:csl:devewp:188
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    Cited by:

    1. Lorentowicz, Andzelika & Marin, Dalia & Raubold, Alexander, 2005. "Is Human Capital Losing From Outsourcing? Evidence for Austria and Poland," Discussion Paper Series of SFB/TR 15 Governance and the Efficiency of Economic Systems 76, Free University of Berlin, Humboldt University of Berlin, University of Bonn, University of Mannheim, University of Munich.
    2. Daniel Chudnovsky & Andrés López & Eugenia Orlicki, 2010. "Inequality: The Argentine Experience," Chapters, in: Robert E.B. Lucas & Lyn Squire & T. N. Srinivasan (ed.), Global Exchange and Poverty, chapter 8, Edward Elgar Publishing.
    3. Bhandari, Bornali, 2007. "Effect of Inward Foreign Direct Investment on Income Inequality in Transition Countries," Journal of Economic Integration, Center for Economic Integration, Sejong University, vol. 22, pages 888-928.
    4. Egger, Peter & Eggert, Wolfgang & Winner, Hannes, 2010. "Saving taxes through foreign plant ownership," Journal of International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 81(1), pages 99-108, May.
    5. Nunnenkamp, Peter & Schweickert, Rainer & Wiebelt, Manfred, 2006. "Distributional effects of FDI: How the interaction of FDI and economic policy affects poor households in Bolivia," Open Access Publications from Kiel Institute for the World Economy 6558, Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW Kiel).
    6. Wen Hao Chen & Michael Förster & Ana Llena-Nozal, 2013. "Globalisation, technological progress and changes in regulations and institutions – which impact on the rise of earnings inequality in OECD countries?," LIS Working papers 597, LIS Cross-National Data Center in Luxembourg.
    7. Fatima, Syeda Tamkeen, 2014. "Off-Shoring and Wage Inequality: where do we stand?," IEE Working Papers 207, Ruhr University Bochum, Institute of Development Research and Development Policy (IEE).
    8. repec:zbw:rwirep:0298 is not listed on IDEAS
    9. Philipp an de Meulen, 2011. "Labor Heterogeneity and the Risk of Expropriation in Less Developed Countries," Ruhr Economic Papers 0298, Rheinisch-Westfälisches Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Universität Dortmund, Universität Duisburg-Essen.
    10. repec:agr:journl:v:2(602):y:2015:i:2(602):p:23-42 is not listed on IDEAS
    11. Marin, Dalia & Lorentowicz, Andzelika & Raubold, Alexander, 2005. "Is Human Capital Losing from Outsourcing?," CEPR Discussion Papers 5344, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    12. Michael Moritz, 2009. "The impact of European integration on wage differentials in the Bavarian–Czech border region," AStA Wirtschafts- und Sozialstatistisches Archiv, Springer;Deutsche Statistische Gesellschaft - German Statistical Society, vol. 3(2), pages 137-151, October.
    13. Éva Polgár & Julia Wörz, 2010. "No risk and some fun? Trade and wages in the enlarged European Union," Empirica, Springer;Austrian Institute for Economic Research;Austrian Economic Association, vol. 37(2), pages 127-163, May.
    14. Eva Katalin Polgar & Julia Woerz, 2011. "Trade With Central and Eastern Europe: Is It Really a Threat to Wages in the West?," DANUBE: Law and Economics Review, European Association Comenius - EACO, issue 1, pages 1-31, March.
    15. Crinò, Rosario, 2012. "Imported inputs and skill upgrading," Labour Economics, Elsevier, vol. 19(6), pages 957-969.
    16. Svilena MIHAYLOVA, 2015. "Foreign direct investment and income inequality in Central and Eastern Europe," Theoretical and Applied Economics, Asociatia Generala a Economistilor din Romania / Editura Economica, vol. 0(2(603), S), pages 23-42, Summer.
    17. repec:onb:oenbwp:y:2009:i:1:b:1 is not listed on IDEAS
    18. an de Meulen, Philipp, 2011. "Labor Heterogeneity and the Risk of Expropriation in Less Developed Countries," Ruhr Economic Papers 298, RWI - Leibniz-Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung, Ruhr-University Bochum, TU Dortmund University, University of Duisburg-Essen.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Foreign direct investment; Labor demand; Wage inequality;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F16 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Trade and Labor Market Interactions
    • F23 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - Multinational Firms; International Business
    • J23 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Labor Demand
    • J31 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials

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