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The Role of Information in Driving FDI: Theory and Evidence

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  • Assaf Razin
  • Ashoka Mody
  • Efraim Sadka

Abstract

We develop a simple information-based model of FDI flows in which the abundance of intangible' capital in the source countries, which generates expertise in cream-skimming investment projects in the host countries and enhances FDI flows. Corporate transparency in the host countries, on the other hand, diminishes the value of this expertise and thereby reduces the flow of FDI. Empirical evidence (from a sample of 12 source countries and 45 host countries over the 1980s and 1990s) which is analyzed in a gravity equation model provides some support to our theoretical hypotheses. The gains from FDI in the host country in our model are reflected in a more e.cient size of stock of domestic capital and its allocation across firms. These gains depend crucially (and inversely) on the degree of competition among FDI investors.

Suggested Citation

  • Assaf Razin & Ashoka Mody & Efraim Sadka, 2002. "The Role of Information in Driving FDI: Theory and Evidence," NBER Working Papers 9255, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:9255
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Shiro Armstrong, 2009. "Japanese FDI in China: determinants and performance," Asia Pacific Economic Papers 378, Australia-Japan Research Centre, Crawford School of Public Policy, The Australian National University.
    2. Peter, Alexandra, 2010. "Bilateral Trade, Openness and Asset Holdings," Bonn Econ Discussion Papers 21/2010, University of Bonn, Bonn Graduate School of Economics (BGSE).
    3. Stacie Beck & Alexis Chaves, 2011. "The Impacts of Various Taxes on Foreign Direct Investment," Working Papers 11-18, University of Delaware, Department of Economics.
    4. repec:spo:wpecon:info:hdl:2441/c8dmi8nm4pdjkuc9g708pipbp is not listed on IDEAS
    5. Barbara Pfeffer, 2008. "FDI and FPI - Strategic Complements?," MAGKS Papers on Economics 200812, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Faculty of Business Administration and Economics, Department of Economics (Volkswirtschaftliche Abteilung).
    6. Ni, Shawn & Ratti, Ronald A., 2009. "Heterogeneous parameter uncertainty and the timing of investment during crisis," Economics - The Open-Access, Open-Assessment E-Journal (2007-2020), Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW Kiel), vol. 3, pages 1-22.
    7. Yuko Kinoshita & Nauro F. Campos, 2003. "Why Does Fdi Go Where it Goes? New Evidence From the Transition Economies," IMF Working Papers 2003/228, International Monetary Fund.
    8. Aviat, Antonin & Coeurdacier, Nicolas, 2007. "The geography of trade in goods and asset holdings," Journal of International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 71(1), pages 22-51, March.
    9. Kristin J. Forbes & Menzie D. Chinn, 2004. "A Decomposition of Global Linkages in Financial Markets Over Time," The Review of Economics and Statistics, MIT Press, vol. 86(3), pages 705-722, August.
    10. Kinoshita, Yuko & Campos, Nauro F., 2004. "Estimating the determinants of foreign direct investment inflows : how important are sampling and omitted variable biases?," BOFIT Discussion Papers 10/2004, Bank of Finland, Institute for Economies in Transition.
    11. Barry Eichengreen & Hui Tong, 2007. "Is China’s FDI Coming at the Expense of Other Countries?," Chapters, in: Klaus Liebscher & Josef Christl & Peter Mooslechner & Doris Ritzberger-Grünwald (ed.), Foreign Direct Investment in Europe, chapter 11, Edward Elgar Publishing.
    12. Götz Marta & Jankowska Barbara & Główka Cezary, 2014. "How to Investigate Polish Clusters’ Attractiveness for Inward FDI? Addressing Ambiguity Problem," International Journal of Management and Economics, Warsaw School of Economics, Collegium of World Economy, vol. 43(1), pages 74-93, September.
    13. Thierry Warin & Phanindra V. Wunnava & Hubert P. Janicki, 2009. "Testing Mundell's Intuition of Endogenous OCA Theory," Review of International Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 17(1), pages 74-86, February.
    14. Kinoshita, Yuko & Campos, Nauro F., 2004. "Estimating the determinants of foreign direct investment inflows: how important are sampling and omitted variable biases?," BOFIT Discussion Papers 10/2004, Bank of Finland Institute for Emerging Economies (BOFIT).
    15. repec:spo:wpmain:info:hdl:2441/c8dmi8nm4pdjkuc9g708pipbp is not listed on IDEAS
    16. Görg, Holger, 2002. "Fancy a Stay at the 'Hotel California'? Foreign Direct Investment, Taxation and Firing Costs," IZA Discussion Papers 665, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    17. Assaf Razin, 2002. "FDI Contribution to Capital Flows and Investment in Capacity," NBER Working Papers 9204, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    18. Head, Keith & Ries, John, 2008. "FDI as an outcome of the market for corporate control: Theory and evidence," Journal of International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 74(1), pages 2-20, January.
    19. Szu-Hsien Lin & You-Jie Chen & Tz-Li Wang & Hung-Chih Wang & Ya-Chiu Angela Liu, 2012. "The Decision Behavior of Taiwan Firms Investing in China: Evidence from Different Industries," Review of Pacific Basin Financial Markets and Policies (RPBFMP), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 15(01), pages 1-25.
    20. Amina Lahrèche-Révil, 2006. "Who’s Afraid of Tax Competition? Harmless Tax Competition from the New European Member States," Working Papers 2006-11, CEPII research center.
    21. Hakan Gungor & Ayla Ogus Binatli, 2010. "The Effect of European Accession Prospects on Foreign Direct Investment Flows," Working Papers 1006, Izmir University of Economics.
    22. Yamin Ahmad & Pietro Cova & Rodrigo Harrison, 2004. "Foreign Direct Investment versus Portfolio Investment : A Global Games Approach," Working Papers 05-03, UW-Whitewater, Department of Economics.
    23. Antonin Aviat & Nicolas Coeurdacier, 2007. "The geography of trade in goods and asset holdings," SciencePo Working papers hal-01045223, HAL.
    24. Alexandra Peter, 2012. "Bilateral Trade, Openness, and Asset Holdings," Open Economies Review, Springer, vol. 23(4), pages 713-740, September.
    25. Barry EICHENGREEN & Hui TONG, 2006. "How China is Reorganizing the World Economy," Asian Economic Policy Review, Japan Center for Economic Research, vol. 1(1), pages 73-97, June.

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