Prague Economic Papers 2012, 21(2):129-149 | DOI: 10.18267/j.pep.415

New Evidence on FDI Determinants: An Appraisal Over the Transition Period

Yulia Gorbunova, Davide Infante, Janna Smirnova
Department of Economics and Statistics, University of Calabria, 87036, Campus di Arcavacata di Rende (Cosenza) - Italy (d.infante@unical.it).

The aim of this work is to provide new evidence on the factors that determine the flow of FDI among transition countries. The analysis takes into consideration the period of most intense transition and post-transition (1994-2002) of 26 former socialist countries. The empirical estimates enable us to draw two main conclusions: first classical locational FDI factors maintain their role in the context of transition countries, and, second, that FDI are influenced by specific market and institutional factors. Among market variables, relatively higher labour costs surprisingly do not constitute an obstacle for foreign investment. We find that variables reflecting market stabilising institutions play a more important role than those representing market creating institutions. Although, there is a certain tolerance of foreign investors towards weak institutional environment, we demonstrate that, to attract FDI, countries should reinforce their macroeconomic stability by focusing on market stabilising institutions.

Keywords: transition countries, foreign direct investment, market institutions
JEL classification: C33, F21, F23, P27

Published: January 1, 2012  Show citation

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Gorbunova, Y., Infante, D., & Smirnova, J. (2012). New Evidence on FDI Determinants: An Appraisal Over the Transition Period. Prague Economic Papers21(2), 129-149. doi: 10.18267/j.pep.415
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