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The effect of language on foreign direct investment

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Listed:
  • Xiaoyun Feng
  • Faqin Lin
  • Nicholas C S Sim

Abstract

Utilizing language measures from a paper by Melitz and Toubal, we estimate a gravity model to examine how various aspects of language may influence bilateral FDI. Our paper shows that while common language can help to foster bilateral FDI between countries, some aspects of language are more important than others. We find that bilateral FDI tends to be higher between countries that share a common official language, have common native languages, or languages that are linguistically proximate. However, it does not appear to be influenced merely by countries speaking a common language. We also observe that common native language, which indicates ethnic ties and trust, is the strongest predictor of FDI. This association is driven mainly by countries sharing English as the native language, but not by countries sharing the same non-English European native languages.

Suggested Citation

  • Xiaoyun Feng & Faqin Lin & Nicholas C S Sim, 2019. "The effect of language on foreign direct investment," Oxford Economic Papers, Oxford University Press, vol. 71(1), pages 269-291.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:oxecpp:v:71:y:2019:i:1:p:269-291.
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1093/oep/gpy034
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    Cited by:

    1. Ofori, Isaac K. & Asongu, Simplice A., 2022. "Repackaging FDI for Inclusive Growth: Nullifying Effects and Policy Relevant Thresholds of Governance," MPRA Paper 111359, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    2. Isaac Kwesi Ofori & Toyo Amègnonna Marcel Dossou & Seyi Saint Akadiri, 2023. "Towards the quest to reduce income inequality in Africa: is there a synergy between tourism development and governance?," Current Issues in Tourism, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 26(3), pages 429-449, February.
    3. Hong, Seiwoong & Lee, Junyong & Oh, Frederick Dongchuhl & Shin, Donglim, 2023. "Religion and foreign direct investment," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 32(1).
    4. Ofori, Isaac K. & Asongu, Simplice A., 2021. "Foreign Direct Investment, Governance and Inclusive Growth in Sub-Saharan Africa," EconStor Preprints 234518, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics.
    5. Ali Raza & Maryam Khokhar & Reyna Esperanza Zea Gordillo & Faisal Ejaz & Tahir Saeed Jagirani & Fodor Zita Júlia & Md Billal Hossain, 2024. "Economic Gains and Losses for Sustainable Policy Development of Crude Oil Resources: A Historical Perspective of Indian Subcontinent," International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy, Econjournals, vol. 14(2), pages 642-655, March.
    6. Mariam Camarero & Sergi Moliner & Cecilio Tamarit, 2021. "Is there a euro effect in the drivers of US FDI? New evidence using Bayesian model averaging techniques," Review of World Economics (Weltwirtschaftliches Archiv), Springer;Institut für Weltwirtschaft (Kiel Institute for the World Economy), vol. 157(4), pages 881-926, November.
    7. Ioannis N. Kallianiotis & Iordanis Petsas, 2020. "The Effectiveness of the Single Mandate of the ECB and the Dual of the Fed," Journal of Applied Finance & Banking, SCIENPRESS Ltd, vol. 10(4), pages 1-11.
    8. Rungskunroch, Panrawee & Kaewunreuen, Sakdirat & Shen, Zuo-Jun, 2019. "An improvement on the end-of-life of High-speed rail rolling stocks considering CFRP composite material replacement," Institute of Transportation Studies, Research Reports, Working Papers, Proceedings qt7mq674vr, Institute of Transportation Studies, UC Berkeley.
    9. Wu, Xiaokang & Yu, Jinping, 2023. "Does dialect difference impede patent transaction? Evidence from China's inter-city patent license data," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 187(C).
    10. Min-Lee Chan & Kannika Duangnate & Cho-Min Lin, 2020. "Performance and Cash Value of Taiwan Multinational Firms’ FDI in ASEAN," Journal of Applied Finance & Banking, SCIENPRESS Ltd, vol. 10(2), pages 1-2.
    11. Ben Steichen & Ryan Lowe, 2021. "How do multilingual users search? An investigation of query and result list language choices," Journal of the Association for Information Science & Technology, Association for Information Science & Technology, vol. 72(6), pages 759-776, June.
    12. Erick Kitenge & Sajal Lahiri, 2022. "Is the Internet bringing down language‐based barriers to international trade?," Review of International Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 30(2), pages 566-605, May.
    13. Mariam Camarero & Sergi Moliner & Cecilio Tamarit, 2019. "Searching The Us Fdi Determinants In The Eu: Is There A Euro Effect?," Working Papers 1916, Department of Applied Economics II, Universidad de Valencia.
    14. Olufemi Adewale Aluko, 2020. "The foreign aid–foreign direct investment relationship in Africa: The mediating role of institutional quality and financial development," Economic Affairs, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 40(1), pages 77-84, February.
    15. Henry He Huang & Chong Wang & Hong Xie & Jian Zhou, 2021. "Independent director attention and the cost of equity capital," Journal of Business Finance & Accounting, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 48(7-8), pages 1468-1493, July.
    16. Jihad Ait Soussane & Mohamed Yassine Fakhouri & Ayoub Sabir Almaslouhi & Zahra Mansouri, . "Does language affect the location choice of developing-economy MNEs? The case of Moroccan outward FDI," UNCTAD Transnational Corporations Journal, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development.
    17. Ioannis N. Kallianiotis, 2022. "Trade Balance and Exchange Rate: The J-Curve," Journal of Applied Finance & Banking, SCIENPRESS Ltd, vol. 12(2), pages 1-3.

    More about this item

    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

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