International technology transfer: evidence on foreign direct investment in Albania

2020 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
pp. 286-306 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mamica Skenderi Konstandina ◽  
Geoffrey Gatharia Gachino

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the presumed role played by foreign direct investment (FDI) in transferring technology from home country into a host country. This paper uses data from Albanian manufacturing industry; first, to examine whether foreign presence results in technology transfer and, if yes, what type of technology is more prevalent and to what extent? Second, the paper attempts to investigate the purported determinants of technology transfer.Design/methodology/approachThe paper uses two main methodological approaches; first, the technology transfer was determined using an arithmetic index developed using simple arithmetic average. This index is determined using all the industries and taking six key components of technology into consideration. They included: products; production processes; technology and innovation; supplier and customers system; human resource management, training and reporting system; financial management, marketing and organizational structure. Second, assuming a limited dependent relationship between the variables and the technology transfer, a Tobit technique was proposed to examine the significant determinants of technology transfer. Technology transfer was proxied by the technology transfer index developed.FindingsThe results clearly demonstrate that FDI plays an important role in technology transfer and that notwithstanding the industrialization of Albania. As per the technology transfer index developed, product-related technology transfer ranked highest followed by the process-related technology. The Tobit results generated indicated that firm age, performance, absorptive capacity, labor mobility, innovation, demonstration effect and systematic support were all key determinants of technology transfer. Surprisingly, size of the firm did not seem to matter.Research limitations/implicationsThe results have possible managerial and policy ramifications. First, the government should continue to provide basic infrastructure. Second, the government needs to formulate policies focused on human capital accumulation. Third, policies should be focused on firm learning and innovation in order to build technological and absorptive capabilities. Moreover, there should be increased effort to facilitate and encourage R&D. Fourth, the government should coordinate and support the institutions especially those that play a crucial role in industrial investment promotion. Fifth, the government should encourage systemic interactions among different entities. Sixth, since high competition from foreign firms can crowd out domestic investment, strategic measures to regulate such competition should be enacted.Originality/valueThe novelty in this paper is the broad conceptualization of technology transfer to include not only the direct but also the indirect mode of technology transfer, which often takes place in the form of spillovers. The physical technology transfer, as well as, its actual impact in the economy is examined to ascertain that technology transfer indeed takes place. The analytical framework adopted overlaps international business, technology transfer and technological innovation literature strands to examine the holistic process of technology transfer.

Subject The fall in foreign investment last year. Significance The government has launched a new Foreign Investment Promotion Agency (APIE) to buck a sharp drop in foreign direct investment (FDI) last year. Breaking with the country's long-standing sector-agnostic approach, the agency will seek to attract investment to specific sectors, including energy, public infrastructure and the food industry. Impacts A more business-friendly administration in Argentina could potentially divert FDI from Chile. Critics of the new FDI regulation maintain that it will dampen inflows. Efforts to attract investment in food and mining services represent a bid to diversify from mineral exports.


2015 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-66 ◽  
Author(s):  
Taotao Chen ◽  
Ronald W. McQuaid ◽  
Maktoba Omar

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to develop a double mechanism model to separate two foreign direct investment (FDI) intra-industry spillovers mechanisms: spillovers by FDI intensity and by FDI efficiency. This paper seeks to illustrate the potential use of the double mechanism model rather than provide precise estimates of spillovers. The evidence on the links between technology and the nature, size and mechanisms of FDI spillovers effects in economically developing countries is mixed. Design/methodology/approach – A model is developed and tested, in principle. Empirical testing was conducted in two steps. In the first step, the authors examined the effect of each influencing factor to FDI spillovers separately. To complete this step, the authors divided the whole sample industry into sub-groups and tested them with the double-mechanism using ordinary least squares regression. This study applies Chinese National Bureau of Statistics manufacturing industry level data, for the years 2000, 2001 and 2002, including the food industry, beverage industry, textile industry, textiles and garments, chemicals and chemical products industry, overall manufacturing equipment, special equipment, computer and other electronic equipment manufacturing industries. Findings – The analysis suggests significant differences between types of spillovers: export orientation of domestic firms mainly influences FDI spillovers by intensity; the capability gap between local and foreign firms influences spillovers by efficiency; and the growth of local firms influences both types of spillovers. This paper develops existing models of FDI and suggests that disaggregating spillovers types may provide important theoretical and policy insights. Originality/value – This study has found, first, that compared with the classic single mechanism model, the double mechanism model is more appropriate for testing FDI intra-industry spillovers, as it is able to separate spillovers by intensity and spillovers by efficiency, which are shown as two distinct mechanisms for FDI spillovers. This allows a deeper analysis into each mechanism and the identification of relevant influencing factors.


2017 ◽  
Vol 24 (7) ◽  
pp. 1937-1955 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nitin Arora ◽  
Preeti Lohani

Purpose Foreign firms have certain advantages which may spillover to domestic firms in the form of improvements in total factor productivity (TFP) growth. The purpose of this paper is to empirically observe the presence of TFP spillovers of foreign direct investment (FDI) to domestic firms through analyzing source of TFP growth in Indian drugs and pharmaceutical industry. Design/methodology/approach This paper examines the sources of TFP spillovers of FDI in Indian drugs and pharmaceutical industry over the period 1999 to 2014. The data of 304 firms has been used for estimation of the growth rates of TFP and its sources under stochastic frontier analyses based Malmquist productivity index framework. For frontier estimation, the Wang and Ho (2010) model has been executed using translog form of production function. Findings The results show that there exists significant TFP spillover effect from the presence of foreign equity in drugs and pharmaceutical industry of India. The results also show that the major source of TFP fluctuations in the said industry is managerial efficiency that has been significantly affected by FDI spillover variables. In sum, the phenomenon of significant Intra-industry (horizontal) efficiency led productivity spillovers of FDI found valid in case of Indian drugs and pharmaceutical industry. Research limitations/implications The number of foreign firms is very less to imitate the significant impact of foreign investment on TFP growth of Indian pharmaceutical industry at aggregated level; and the Wang and Ho (2010) model is failing to capture direct impact of FDI on technological change under Malmquist framework. Practical implications Since, there exists dominance of domestic firms in Indian drugs and pharmaceutical industry, the planners should follow the policy which not only attract FDI but also benefit domestic firms; for example, developing modern infrastructure and institution which will further help domestic firms to absorb spillovers provided by the Multinational Corporations and also accelerate the growth and development of the economy. Social implications In no case, the foreign firms should dominate the market share otherwise the efficiency spillover effect will be negative and the domestic firms will be destroyed under the self-centric approach of foreign firms protected by the recent patent laws. Originality/value The study is a unique attempt to discuss the production structure and sources of TFP spillovers of FDI in Indian drugs and pharmaceutical industry with such a wide coverage of 304 firms over a period of 16 years under Wang and Ho (2010) model’s framework. The existing studies on TFP spillovers are using either a small sample size of firms or based upon traditional techniques of measuring spillover effects.


2016 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 28-50 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sasidaran Gopalan ◽  
Rabin Hattari ◽  
Ramkishen S. Rajan

Purpose This paper aims to examine the dynamics of foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows into Indonesia. It is interested specifically in analysing and deliberating on two important policy questions: First, are all kinds of FDI useful from a policy perspective and what does the existing data on FDI reveal about the type of FDI inflows into Indonesia? Second, does the existing data help understand the extent of de facto bilateral linkages between Indonesia and other countries? Design/methodology/approach The paper offers an in-depth case study of Indonesia using extensive exploratory data analysis on FDI inflows into Indonesia. As discussed in the paper, the data investigation uses and reconciles available FDI data both from national and international sources to understand the usefulness of such data for policy analysis. Findings A data investigation of the trends in different types of FDI flows reveals a discernible downward trend in the ratio of mergers and acquisitions (M&A)–FDI ratio over the years. The paper argues that from a sequencing perspective, while a medium-to-long-term framework encouraging both domestic and foreign Greenfield investments could help Indonesia regain its growth luster, in the near term much more attention needs to be paid to FDI inflows in the form of M&As. Further, reconciling FDI and M&A data might help identify the original sources of FDI flows because existing data are based on flow of funds rather than ultimate ownership. Practical implications Since the Asian financial crisis, Indonesia has successfully embarked on a phase of economic and political transition post-Suharto, with the cornerstones of such a strategy being a process of greater democratisation and decentralisation. However, there have been growing concerns of economic growth stagnation in recent years. One of the policies to revive the economy’s lustre adopted by the government has been to attract greater FDI inflows. In this light, this paper examines the dynamics of FDI into Indonesia and deliberates on what kinds of FDI policymakers should focus on attracting to restore the country’s growth lustre. Originality/value The question of whether a policy to attract FDI should be careful in distinguishing the kind of FDI it wants to attract has not been sufficiently addressed in the related literature. This paper provides a framework to understand the different macroeconomic policy implications of types of FDI and provides extensive data analysis to not only understand the types of FDI but also sources of bilateral FDI inflows to Indonesia by reconciling FDI and M&A data.


China Report ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 54 (2) ◽  
pp. 175-193 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jungmin Lee ◽  
Jai S. Mah

This article examines the impact of foreign-invested enterprises in the development of China’s automotive industry. It particularly focuses on the case of foreign direct investment (FDI) by a Korean firm, namely, the Hyundai Motor Company, in China. The Chinese government’s policy regarding the automotive industry allowed China’s domestic manufacturers to benefit from technology transfer, as foreign firms were not allowed to invest exclusively in China without a partnership. The contribution of Korea’s investment in China’s automotive industry would comprise the creation of job opportunities, technology transfer and the development of the automobile parts industry. Korea’s investment in the automotive industry of China has policy implications for China and other developing countries trying to expand their technology-intensive industries.


Subject Outlook for foreign direct investment into Indonesia's economy. Significance The government last month revised its Negative Investment List, opening 35 new sectors to foreign direct investment (FDI), especially in the services and trade segments. With these reforms, the government hopes to attract 594.8 trillion rupiah (43.52 billion dollars) of new investment this year. Impacts Firms supporting e-commerce operations, for example through developing secure payment systems, have good prospects. Land clearance hurdles facing toll road projects are unlikely to be resolved easily. The national health insurance programme will help Indonesia harness its demographic dividend.


Significance Parliament's failure last month to enact the promised transition to proportional representation sparked demonstrations in Tbilisi and other cities. The ruling Georgian Dream-Democratic Georgia party's immediate position seems safe, but it will have to reckon with signs that a more confident, determined and united opposition is emerging out of the previously diffuse political landscape. Impacts A bout of political instability would reduce the inflow of foreign direct investment. Russia's instinct to exploit turmoil will be curbed by its reluctance to see the opposition win. To address one area of discontent, the government may unblock the Anaklia port project.


Significance The ruling Georgian Dream party faces a more united opposition and mounting pressure from US and EU partners. Economic challenges are increasing as inflation rises, wages remain low and external state debt grows. Impacts Foreign direct investment is set to fall, worsening the outlook for recovery. The Georgian lari is likely to recover but not return to pre-pandemic exchange rates. The government is hoping to open safe 'tourist corridors' to encourage foreign visitors to return. Pro-Russian parties may win some parliamentary seats.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 37
Author(s):  
Khaled Jadeaf Alanazi ◽  
Salawati Mat Basir

Foreign Direct Investment resulted in the disclosure of different investment chances and opportunities through active investment promotion agencies. A country must execute various reforms capable of improving the fundamental determinants of FDI for achieving a high percentage of Foreign Direct Investment. These reforms among others include improving investment laws, reducing political risk and level of corruption, establishing a consistent legitimate and regulatory environment, freeing repatriation of funds and capital, as well as opening up to international trade. Saudi Arabia adopted generous incentive policies for attracting foreign capital and invite Foreign Direct Investment during king Abdullah regime. These policies present positive incentives while eliminating negative disincentives. Positive incentives consist free custom duties, reductions of tax and export zones, by the government of Saudi Arabia. Disincentives elimination to investments indicates the removal of overlong and rigid systems as they can delay visas issuance, restraint travel and complicate the licensing and registration of a project. This paper discusses the impact of FDI on Saudi economy during King Abdullah regime and finally, ascertains the contribution of FDI to Saudi Economy during King Abdullah regime.


2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 6
Author(s):  
Ahmad Oktabri Widyananda ◽  
Dyah Wulan Sari

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) takes an important role in the development process, especially in developing countries. The purpose of this study is to examine and analyze FDI spillover on the level of technical efficiency in the large and medium manufacturing industry in East Java. This study uses a time-varying stochastic frontier approach for firm-level panel data of the East Java manufacturing industry. The results show that all factors in this study affect the level of technical efficiency of large and medium industries in East Java. Variable foreign share, FDI horizontal spillover, and firm size have a positive influence on the technical efficiency of the industry. Whereas the variable FDI backward spillover, FDI forward spillover and the level of market concentration negatively affect the level of technical efficiency of the industry. Finally, it’s needed to build synergies and sustainable relationships between products produced by domestic and foreign firms. Thus, the presence of foreign firms in East Java could have a positive impact on improving the technical efficiency of the domestic industry both at the upstream and downstream levels. Keywords: Foreign Direct Investment Spillover, Technical Efficiency, East Java IndustryJEL Classification: F21, L60, D24


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