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Foreign ownership structure, technology upgrading and exports: Evidence from Chinese firms

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  • Girma, Sourafel
  • Gong, Yundan
  • Görg, Holger
  • Lancheros, Sandra

Abstract

We examine the role of foreign ownership structure in stimulating technology and skill upgrading, and exporting in Chinese manufacturing firms that were taken over by foreign owners. The analysis considers the period 2001 to 2007. We use a propensity score reweighted least squares estimation to control for the possible endogeneity of the acquisition decision. Our results indicate that there are strong effects on export activity post-acquisition for all types of ownership share. We also find that targets that are taken over with a less than 100 per cent foreign ownership share experience increases in new product development and R&D upgrading due to the acquisition. Overall, our results suggest that joint ventures between foreign owners and Chinese firms can contribute positively to China's 'science and technology take-off'.

Suggested Citation

  • Girma, Sourafel & Gong, Yundan & Görg, Holger & Lancheros, Sandra, 2012. "Foreign ownership structure, technology upgrading and exports: Evidence from Chinese firms," Kiel Working Papers 1793, Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW Kiel).
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:ifwkwp:1793
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    Cited by:

    1. Wang, Jian & Wang, Xiao, 2015. "Benefits of foreign ownership: Evidence from foreign direct investment in China," Journal of International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 97(2), pages 325-338.
    2. Dürr, Niklas S. & Rammer, Christian & Böing, Philipp, 2020. "Direktinvestitionen zwischen Deutschland und China aus einer innovationspolitischen Sicht: Studie im Auftrag der Expertenkommission Forschung und Innovation," Studien zum deutschen Innovationssystem 8-2020, Expertenkommission Forschung und Innovation (EFI) - Commission of Experts for Research and Innovation, Berlin.
    3. Cagatay Bircan, 2013. "Foreign direct investment and wages: does the level of ownership matter?," Working Papers 157, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Office of the Chief Economist.
    4. Qing Liu & Ruosi Lu & Larry D. Qiu, 2017. "Foreign Acquisitions and Target Firms' Performance in China," The World Economy, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 40(1), pages 2-20, January.
    5. Ronald B. Davies, 2018. "From China with Love: The Role of FDI from Third Countries on EU Competition and R&D Activities," Working Papers 201813, School of Economics, University College Dublin.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    foreign acquisition; technology upgrading; exports; propensity score reweighting;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F23 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - Multinational Firms; International Business

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