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Patterns Of International Capital Flows And Productivity Growth: New Evidence

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  • Margaux MacDonald

    (Queen's University)

Abstract

Recent evidence from developing and emerging economies shows a negative correlation between growth and net capital inflows, a contradiction to neoclassical growth theory. I provide updated and disaggregated evidence on the origins of this puzzle. An analysis of the components of capital flows and of gross portfolio positions shows that foreign direct investment is directed towards countries with the highest growth rates, but that portfolio investment outflows exceed these inflows. Liberalized capital accounts further exacerbate this pattern. My results suggest a desire for international portfolio diversification in liquid assets by fast growing countries lies at the heart of the puzzle.

Suggested Citation

  • Margaux MacDonald, 2015. "Patterns Of International Capital Flows And Productivity Growth: New Evidence," Working Paper 1345, Economics Department, Queen's University.
  • Handle: RePEc:qed:wpaper:1345
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    Cited by:

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    2. Alimov, Behzod, 2022. "The dynamic effects of debt and equity inflows: Evidence from emerging and developing countries," The Journal of Economic Asymmetries, Elsevier, vol. 26(C).
    3. Keilla Dayane Silva-Oliveira & Edson Keyso Miranda Kubo & Michael J. Morley & Rodrigo Médici Cândido, 2021. "Emerging Economy Inward and Outward Foreign Direct Investment: A Bibliometric and Thematic Content Analysis," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 61(5), pages 643-679, October.
    4. Michael Effah Asamoah & Imhotep Paul Alagidede & Frank Adu, 2022. "On the allocation puzzle and capital flows: Evidence from foreign direct investment and real sector growth in Africa," African Development Review, African Development Bank, vol. 34(3), pages 370-380, September.
    5. Schroth, Josef, 2023. "Capital flows and growth across developing countries," Journal of International Money and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 137(C).
    6. Lucas Njoroge, 2021. "Capital Inflows and Economic Growth in Selected COMESA Member Countries," Journal of Finance and Investment Analysis, SCIENPRESS Ltd, vol. 10(4), pages 1-3.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Gross capital flows; Net capital flows; Allocation puzzle; Productivity growth;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F21 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - International Investment; Long-Term Capital Movements
    • F41 - International Economics - - Macroeconomic Aspects of International Trade and Finance - - - Open Economy Macroeconomics
    • F43 - International Economics - - Macroeconomic Aspects of International Trade and Finance - - - Economic Growth of Open Economies

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