Exports versus export-platform FDI with endogenous wage determination

C-Tier
Journal: Economic Modeling
Year: 2016
Volume: 54
Issue: C
Pages: 479-489

Authors (2)

Lee, Ki-Dong (Keimyung University) Lee, Woohyung (not in RePEc)

Score contribution per author:

0.503 = (α=2.01 / 2 authors) × 0.5x C-tier

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

Abstract

In this paper, we explain why unionized MNFs in the same industry choose different entry modes between export and export-platform FDI when serving the same market. The platform-type FDI becomes more likely, ceteris paribus, with higher wage-oriented behavior by the unions, deeper trade liberalization in the host country, and lower fixed costs incurred in the FDI. Some of our results are counter-intuitive. It is particularly shown that a non-unionized MNF undertakes FDI whereas a unionized MNF remains in the domestic country even in the absence of productivity differences between the firms. Under certain conditions, trade liberalization in the host country might cause a complete reversal in the location pattern between unionized and non-unionized firms. Moreover, FDI induced by trade liberalization might hurt the domestic economy as a whole due to the loss of union rents and rival firms' profits, which provides a rationale for the use of lump-sum production subsidies as a government policy.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:eee:ecmode:v:54:y:2016:i:c:p:479-489
Journal Field
General
Author Count
2
Added to Database
2026-01-25