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The effects of economic freedom on FDI inflows: an empirical analysis

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  • Pascal L. Ghazalian
  • Frederick Amponsem

Abstract

There is a regular emphasis on the significant role of inward Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in promoting economic growth. This favourable relationship has induced many governments to adopt policies intended to increase FDI inflows and, thereby, to create conducive business and economic conditions for Multinational Enterprises (MNEs). This paper examines the effects of Economic Freedom (EF) and its sub-components reflecting the Quality of Institutions (QIs) on FDI inflows, using indices derived from the Fraser Institute and from the Heritage Foundation. The empirical analysis is carried out for a panel dataset using different econometric methodologies and empirical specifications. The results underline positive effects of EF on FDI inflows. They reveal that EF sub-components have varying impacts on FDI inflows, where rule of law, market openness, and less-restrictive regulatory environment stand out as the major FDI-promoting institutional factors. Also, there is an empirical evidence that the effects of EF sub-components on FDI inflows exhibit variations through the economic characteristics of the host countries and across geo-economic regions. The results suggest that governments should pursue EF-improving policies, which should be tailored according to the economic and geo-economic characteristics of the host countries, to increase FDI inflows.

Suggested Citation

  • Pascal L. Ghazalian & Frederick Amponsem, 2019. "The effects of economic freedom on FDI inflows: an empirical analysis," Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 51(11), pages 1111-1132, March.
  • Handle: RePEc:taf:applec:v:51:y:2019:i:11:p:1111-1132
    DOI: 10.1080/00036846.2018.1524979
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    Cited by:

    1. Mariotti, Sergio & Marzano, Riccardo, 2021. "The effects of competition policy, regulatory quality and trust on inward FDI in host countries," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 30(6).
    2. de Mendonça, Helder Ferreira & Tiberto, Bruno Pires, 2024. "Are prudent monetary and fiscal policy drivers of FDI inflows?," Latin American Journal of Central Banking (previously Monetaria), Elsevier, vol. 5(1).
    3. 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.
    4. Cruz, Manuel David & Jha, Chandan Kumar & Kırşanlı, Fatih & Sedai, Ashish Kumar, 2023. "Corruption and FDI in natural resources: The role of economic downturn and crises," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 119(C).
    5. Wencong Lu & Ikboljon Kasimov & Ibrokhim Karimov & Yakhyobek Abdullaev, 2020. "Foreign Direct Investment, Natural Resources, Economic Freedom, and Sea-Access: Evidence from the Commonwealth of Independent States," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-18, April.
    6. Mingzhi Zhang & Xiangyu Zhou & Chao Chen & Jianxu Liu & Jiaxi Li & Fuying Huan & Bowen Wang, 2023. "Enterprise Spatial Agglomeration and Economic Growth in Northeast China: Policy Implications for Uneven to Sustainable Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-17, July.
    7. Zhang, Hongxia & Kim, Heeho, 2022. "Institutional quality and FDI location: A threshold model," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 114(C).
    8. Mohd Nadeem Bhat & Firdos Ikram & Mohd Nayyer Rahman, 2024. "Foreign Direct Investment and Imports in India: Exploring Institutional Dimensions," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 15(1), pages 1386-1417, March.
    9. Bruno Pires Tiberto & Helder Ferreira de Mendonça, 2023. "Effects of Sustainable Monetary and Fiscal Policy on FDI Inflows to EMDE Countries," Working Papers Series 575, Central Bank of Brazil, Research Department.
    10. Wanfu Jin & Chunshan Zhou, 2022. "Effect of Land Marketization Level and Land Prices on Foreign Direct Investment in China," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(9), pages 1-20, August.
    11. Tag, Mehmet Nasih & Degirmen, Suleyman, 2022. "Economic freedom and foreign direct investment: Are they related?," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 73(C), pages 737-752.

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