Free Trade Agreements and Foreign Direct Investment: The Role of Endogeneity and Dynamics

C-Tier
Journal: Southern Economic Journal
Year: 2016
Volume: 83
Issue: 1
Pages: 176-201

Authors (4)

Robert Reed (not in RePEc) Christina Lira (not in RePEc) Lee Byung‐Ki (not in RePEc) Junsoo Lee (University of Alabama-Tuscaloo...)

Score contribution per author:

0.251 = (α=2.01 / 4 authors) × 0.5x C-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

This article studies the impact of Free Trade Agreements (FTA) on outbound foreign direct investment (FDI). From one perspective, FTA may promote FDI since FTA aim to promote economic activity between countries. However, lower trade barriers may lower the incentive of firms to conduct FDI. Therefore, the net impact is an empirical question. Using a panel of countries for the years 1990–2006, this article effectively controls for participation in an FTA when analyzing the impact on outbound FDI. The lengthy time series also allows us to examine effectively the dynamic nature of the relationship. Failing to account for endogeneity and dynamics would likely generate inaccurate conclusions regarding the impact of FTA on outbound FDI. Our analysis finds that outbound FDI is either unrelated to participation in an FTA or is negatively affected.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:wly:soecon:v:83:y:2016:i:1:p:176-201
Journal Field
General
Author Count
4
Added to Database
2026-01-25