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Labor skills and foreign investment in a dynamic economy : estimating the knowledge-capital model for Singapore

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  • Chellaraj, Gnanaraj
  • Maskus, Keith E.
  • Mattoo, Aaditya

Abstract

Singapore is an interesting example of how the pattern of foreign investment changes with economic development. The authors analyze inbound and outbound investment between Singapore and a sample of industrialized and developing countries over the period 1984-2003. They find that Singapore’s two-way investment with industrialized nations has shifted into skill-seeking activities over the period, while Singapore’s investments in developing countries have increased sharply and become concentrated in labor-seeking activities. Singapore’s increasing skill abundance relative to all countries in the sample accounted for 41 percent of average inbound stocks during the period, that is, US$18 billion annually; the corresponding figure for outbound stocks was 40 percent, that is, US$5.51 billion annually.

Suggested Citation

  • Chellaraj, Gnanaraj & Maskus, Keith E. & Mattoo, Aaditya, 2009. "Labor skills and foreign investment in a dynamic economy : estimating the knowledge-capital model for Singapore," Policy Research Working Paper Series 4950, The World Bank.
    • Handle: RePEc:wbk:wbrwps:4950
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Beine, Michel & Peri, Giovanni & Raux, Morgan, 2023. "International college students’ impact on the US skilled labor supply," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 223(C).
    2. Anh T. N. Nguyen & Andrzej Cieślik, 2021. "Determinants of foreign direct investment from Europe to Asia," The World Economy, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 44(6), pages 1842-1858, June.
    3. Chellaraj,Gnanaraj & Mattoo,Aaditya & Chellaraj,Gnanaraj & Mattoo,Aaditya, 2015. "Can the knowledge capital model explain foreign investment in services ? the case of Singapore," Policy Research Working Paper Series 7186, The World Bank.
    4. Nguyen, Anh T.N. & Haug, Alfred A. & Owen, P. Dorian & Genç, Murat, 2020. "What drives bilateral foreign direct investment among Asian economies?," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 93(C), pages 125-141.
    5. Gnanaraj Chellaraj & Aaditya Mattoo, 2009. "Can the Knowledge-Capital Model Explain Sectoral Foreign Invesment? Evidence From Singapore," Economics Study Area Working Papers 101, East-West Center, Economics Study Area.
    6. Giray Gözgör & Muhlis Can, 2017. "Causal Linkages among the Product Diversification of Exports, Economic Globalization and Economic Growth," Review of Development Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 21(3), pages 888-908, August.

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