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A Tale of Two Provinces: The Institutional Environment and Foreign Ownership in China

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  • Huang, Yasheng
  • Di, Wenhua

Abstract

In this paper, we use a unique dataset covering joint ventures in two provinces of China, Jiangsu and Zhejiang, to test the effect of the institutional environment for domestic private firms on ownership structures of FDI projects. Unlike many studies on this subject, we approach the issue from the perspective of local firms seeking FDI rather than from the perspective of foreign firms seeking to invest in China. Applying the prevailing bargaining framework in studies on ownership structures of FDI projects, we find that a more liberal institutional environment for domestic private firms is associated with less foreign ownership of the joint ventures operating there. Several mechanisms can contribute to this outcome. One is that a more liberal institutional environment may enhance the bargaining power of those domestic firms negotiating with foreign firms to form alliances (the capability effect). The other mechanism is that a more liberal institutional environment may reduce some of the auxiliary benefits associated with FDI - such as greater property rights granted to foreign investors - and thereby attenuate incentive to form alliances with foreign firms (the incentive effect).

Suggested Citation

  • Huang, Yasheng & Di, Wenhua, 2004. "A Tale of Two Provinces: The Institutional Environment and Foreign Ownership in China," Working papers 4482-04, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Sloan School of Management.
    • Handle: RePEc:mit:sloanp:7402
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    Cited by:

    1. Wubiao Zhou, 2011. "Regional deregulation and entrepreneurial growth in China's transition economy," Entrepreneurship & Regional Development, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 23(9-10), pages 853-876, December.
    2. Kishor Sharma & Wei Wang, 2014. "Foreign Investment and Vertical Specialisation: An Analysis of Emerging Trends in Chinese Exports," Proceedings of Economics and Finance Conferences 0401580, International Institute of Social and Economic Sciences.
    3. Wubiao Zhou, 2014. "Regional institutional development, political connections, and entrepreneurial performance in China’s transition economy," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 43(1), pages 161-181, June.
    4. Wang, Xiaozu & Xu, Lixin Colin & Zhu, Tian, 2011. "Foreign direct investment under weak rule of law : theory and evidence from China," Policy Research Working Paper Series 5790, The World Bank.
    5. Naihua Jiang & Wang Liping & Kishor Sharma, 2013. "Trends, Patters and Determinants of Foreign Direct Investment in China," Global Business Review, International Management Institute, vol. 14(2), pages 201-210, June.
    6. World Bank, 2006. "Foreign Capital Utilization in China : Prospects and Future Strategy," World Bank Publications - Reports 19623, The World Bank Group.
    7. Jing Li & Ilan Vertinsky & Hua Zhang, 2013. "The Quality of Domestic Legal Institutions and Export Performance," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 53(3), pages 361-390, June.

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    Keywords

    China; FDI; private sector; institutional environment; joint venture;
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