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Effects of corruption on foreign direct investment: Evidence from Swedish multinational enterprises

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  • Thede, Susanna
  • Karpaty, Patrik

Abstract

In this paper, we provide novel evidence on the adjustment of multinational enterprises (MNEs) to corrupt environments. We examine if the corruption barrier to entry is reduced by corruption experience (i.e., previous investment in a corrupt system) using a rich enterprise data set on Swedish manufacturers’ activities in the 1997–2015 period. A mixed logit model, which accounts for enterprise-specific market substitution patterns, is used to ensure the accuracy of estimates. Our findings show that a strong deterrent effect of corruption is counteracted by corruption experience, which implies that MNEs learn to adjust to reduce corruption entry costs. Multinational enterprises that acquire corruption experience gain a competitive advantage over other enterprises.

Suggested Citation

  • Thede, Susanna & Karpaty, Patrik, 2023. "Effects of corruption on foreign direct investment: Evidence from Swedish multinational enterprises," Journal of Comparative Economics, Elsevier, vol. 51(1), pages 348-371.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jcecon:v:51:y:2023:i:1:p:348-371
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jce.2022.10.004
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Corruption; Foreign direct investment; Market entry; Multinational enterprise;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D22 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Firm Behavior: Empirical Analysis
    • D73 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Bureaucracy; Administrative Processes in Public Organizations; Corruption
    • F23 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - Multinational Firms; International Business
    • K42 - Law and Economics - - Legal Procedure, the Legal System, and Illegal Behavior - - - Illegal Behavior and the Enforcement of Law

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