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Emerging countries’ multinational companies investing in developed countries: at odds with the HOS paradigm?

Author

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  • Wladimir Andreff
  • Giovanni Balcet

Abstract

The paper analyses the new trend of outward foreign direct investment (FDI) by multinational companies from emerging countries, in particular the BRICs, in developed countries to question the applicability of the traditional HOS theoretical framework to this trend. A literature review shows that labour costs do not play any significant role in the first attempts to provide an analytical explanation of this new trend. A HOS equation, amended in order to encompass FDI, is elaborated in order to explain outward FDI from developed to developing and emerging countries based on differences in labour endowment and therefore in wage rates. Step by step, the equation introduces the technological gap, institutions and government policies. Then it is shown that such equation when reversed to explain outward FDI from emerging to developed countries is at odds with the traditional HOS framework. Turning the HOS theory upside down does not help to explain reverse FDI outflows from emerging to developed countries. An alternative approach is called for, in which a labour cost advantage (a lower wage rate than abroad) is a home market advantage for emerging countries to invest abroad. A final section provides some empirical examples that labour matters and a lower home wage rate is a decisive comparative advantage for Indian and Chinese multinationals investing in developed countries. Additional evidence shows that the technological gap and the home country’s institutions and government policy matter as well

Suggested Citation

  • Wladimir Andreff & Giovanni Balcet, 2013. "Emerging countries’ multinational companies investing in developed countries: at odds with the HOS paradigm?," European Journal of Comparative Economics, Cattaneo University (LIUC), vol. 10(1), pages 3-26, April.
  • Handle: RePEc:liu:liucej:v:10:y:2013:i:1:p:3-26
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. André C. Jordaan & Mustafa Sakr, 2016. "Emerging multinational corporations: A prominent player in the global economy," Working Papers 590, Economic Research Southern Africa.
    2. Wladimir Andreff, 2015. "Maturing Strategies Of Russian Multinational Companies: Comparisons With Chinese Multinationals," Post-Print halshs-01287431, HAL.
    3. Liu, Xiaming & Yang, Na & Li, Linjie & Liu, Yuanyuan, 2021. "Co-evolution of emerging economy MNEs and institutions: A literature review," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 30(4).
    4. Wladimir Andreff, 2014. "Outward foreign direct investment by Brazilian and Indian multinational companies: comparison with Russian-Chinese multinationals," Université Paris1 Panthéon-Sorbonne (Post-Print and Working Papers) halshs-01279896, HAL.
    5. Wladimir Andreff, 2016. "Outward Foreign Direct Investment from BRIC countries: Comparing strategies of Brazilian, Russian, Indian and Chinese multinational companies," Université Paris1 Panthéon-Sorbonne (Post-Print and Working Papers) halshs-01342391, HAL.
    6. André C. Jordaan & Mustafa Sakr, 2016. "Emerging multinational corporations: Theoretical and conceptual framework," Working Papers 574, Economic Research Southern Africa.
    7. Wladimir Andreff, 2016. "Outward Foreign Direct Investment from BRIC countries: Comparing strategies of Brazilian, Russian, Indian and Chinese multinational companies," Post-Print halshs-01342391, HAL.
    8. André C. Jordaan & Mustafa Sakr, 2017. "Push factors of emerging multinational corporations: evidence from South Africa and Egypt," Working Papers 664, Economic Research Southern Africa.
    9. repec:uto:dipeco:201432 is not listed on IDEAS
    10. Wladimir Andreff, 2014. "Outward foreign direct investment by Brazilian and Indian multinational companies: comparison with Russian-Chinese multinationals," Post-Print halshs-01279896, HAL.
    11. Vittorio Valli & Donatella Saccone, 2015. "Structural Change, Globalization and Economic Growth in China and India," European Journal of Comparative Economics, Cattaneo University (LIUC), vol. 12(2), pages 133-163, December.
    12. Alessia Amighini & Claudio Cozza & Elisa Giuliani & Roberta Rabellotti & Vittoria Scalera, 2015. "Multinational enterprises from emerging economies: what theories suggest, what evidence shows. A literature review," Economia e Politica Industriale: Journal of Industrial and Business Economics, Springer;Associazione Amici di Economia e Politica Industriale, vol. 42(3), pages 343-370, September.
    13. Andreff, Wladimir & Andreff, Madeleine, 2017. "Multinational companies from transition economies and their outward foreign direct investment," Russian Journal of Economics, Elsevier, vol. 3(4), pages 445-474.
    14. Wladimir Andreff, 2015. "Outward Foreign Direct Investment from BRIC countries: Comparing strategies of Brazilian, Russian, Indian and Chinese multinational companies," European Journal of Comparative Economics, Cattaneo University (LIUC), vol. 12(2), pages 79-131, December.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    emerging countries’multinationals; outward foreign direct investment; China; India; HOS theorem; labour costs; wage differentials; skilled and unskilled labour; technological gap; government policies;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F21 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - International Investment; Long-Term Capital Movements
    • F23 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - Multinational Firms; International Business
    • O53 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economywide Country Studies - - - Asia including Middle East

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