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Institutional difference and outward FDI: evidence from China

Author

Listed:
  • Chengchun Li

    (Changzhou University)

  • Yun Luo

    (Centre for Business in Society, Coventry University)

  • Glauco Vita

    (Centre for Business in Society, Coventry University)

Abstract

This paper investigates the impact of institutional difference on China’s outward foreign direct investment (OFDI) through a gravity model. Our estimations are based on a large panel of 150 countries over the period 2003–2015. The results show that the institutional differences of government effectiveness and control of corruption between China and a host country have a statistically significant negative effect on China’s OFDI. In addition, our empirical evidence suggests that the ‘One Belt, One Road’ policy does not have the expected positive effect on China’s OFDI. Consistent results are obtained from a set of robustness tests. Our findings provide a reasonable guideline for countries aiming to attract Chinese OFDI or seeking factors to boost it.

Suggested Citation

  • Chengchun Li & Yun Luo & Glauco Vita, 2020. "Institutional difference and outward FDI: evidence from China," Empirical Economics, Springer, vol. 58(4), pages 1837-1862, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:empeco:v:58:y:2020:i:4:d:10.1007_s00181-018-1564-y
    DOI: 10.1007/s00181-018-1564-y
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    3. Naeem Akram, 2022. "Public-Private Wage Differentials: Evidence from Pakistan," Lahore Journal of Economics, Department of Economics, The Lahore School of Economics, vol. 27(2), pages 39-64, July-Dec.
    4. Libman, Alexander & Stone, Randall W. & Vinokurov, Evgeny, 2022. "Russian power and the state-owned enterprise," European Journal of Political Economy, Elsevier, vol. 73(C).
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    6. Safet Kurtović & Nehat Maxhuni & Blerim Halili & Arta Maxhuni, 2024. "Effect of Host Country Determinants and Institutional Quality on Outward Foreign Direct Investment from Central, Eastern and South-Eastern Europe," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 15(3), pages 13272-13308, September.
    7. Zhao, Yanping & Chen, Qing & de Haan, Jakob, 2023. "Does central bank independence matter for the location choices of Chinese firms’ foreign investments?," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 32(4).
    8. Chengchun Li & Sailesh Tanna & Baseerit Nissah, 2023. "The effect of institutions on the foreign direct investment‐growth nexus: What matters most?," The World Economy, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 46(7), pages 1999-2031, July.
    9. Wang, Xiaoying & Anwar, Sajid, 2022. "Institutional distance and China's horizontal outward foreign direct investment," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 78(C), pages 1-22.
    10. Amar Anwar & Ichiro Iwasaki, 2022. "Institutions and FDI from BRICS countries: a meta-analytic review," Empirical Economics, Springer, vol. 63(1), pages 417-468, July.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Institutional difference; Outward foreign direct investment; Gravity model; China;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F18 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Trade and Environment
    • F21 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - International Investment; Long-Term Capital Movements
    • O43 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity - - - Institutions and Growth

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