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Labor Market Flexibility and Inward Foreign Direct Investment:Incentive or Outcome?

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  • Isao KAMATA

Abstract

Are inward FDI and its increase related to the domestic labor market conditions in the host economy? This is still an open question, as literature to date has provided mixed evidence. This paper empirically addresses this question by testing the debated relationship in both possible “causal” directions—i.e., testing (i) whether the host’s labor market flexibility—or strictness—leads an increase in inward FDI and (ii) whether it follows inward FDI, using publicly accessible macro-level data. The first set of estimation shows that a host country with relaxed employment protection tends to attract more inward FDI, which is consistent with the findings in some recent studies. The analysis also indicates that this relationship should chiefly be the case in the “traditional” OECD members but may not apply to other countries. On the other hand, the second set of estimation indicates that increased inward FDI could result in loosened employment protection. This impact may not be immediately apparent but could be more significant in a longer time horizon.

Suggested Citation

  • Isao KAMATA, 2021. "Labor Market Flexibility and Inward Foreign Direct Investment:Incentive or Outcome?," Discussion papers e-20-007, Graduate School of Economics , Kyoto University.
    • Handle: RePEc:kue:epaper:e-20-007
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Gerda Dewit & Holger Görg & Catia Montagna, 2009. "Should I stay or should I go? Foreign direct investment, employment protection and domestic anchorage," Review of World Economics (Weltwirtschaftliches Archiv), Springer;Institut für Weltwirtschaft (Kiel Institute for the World Economy), vol. 145(1), pages 93-110, April.
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    6. KAMATA Isao, 2014. "Regional Trade Agreements with Labor Clauses: Effects on labor standards and trade," Discussion papers 14012, Research Institute of Economy, Trade and Industry (RIETI).
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Foreign direct investment; Labor market flexibility; Labor conditions; Employment protection;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F16 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Trade and Labor Market Interactions
    • F21 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - International Investment; Long-Term Capital Movements
    • F66 - International Economics - - Economic Impacts of Globalization - - - Labor
    • J80 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor Standards - - - General

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