Robust FDI determinants: Bayesian Model Averaging in the presence of selection bias

The literature on Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) determinants is remarkably diverse in terms of competing theories and empirical results. We utilize Bayesian Model Averaging (BMA) to resolve the model uncertainty that surrounds the validity of the competing FDI theories. Since the structure of exis...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Eicher, Theo S. (Author) , Helfman, Lindy (Author) , Lenkoski, Alex (Author)
Format: Article (Journal)
Language:English
Published: 22 February 2012
In: Journal of macroeconomics
Year: 2012, Volume: 34, Issue: 3, Pages: 637-651
ISSN:0164-0704
DOI:10.1016/j.jmacro.2012.01.010
Online Access:Verlag, Volltext: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmacro.2012.01.010
Verlag, Volltext: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0164070412000274
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Author Notes:Theo S. Eicher, Lindy Helfman, Alex Lenkoski
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Summary:The literature on Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) determinants is remarkably diverse in terms of competing theories and empirical results. We utilize Bayesian Model Averaging (BMA) to resolve the model uncertainty that surrounds the validity of the competing FDI theories. Since the structure of existing FDI data is well known to induce selection bias, we extend BMA theory to HeckitBMA in order to address model uncertainty in the presence of selection bias. We show that more than half of the previously suggested FDI determinants are not robust and highlight theories that do receive robust support from the data. Our selection approach allows us to identify the determinants of the margins of FDI (intensive and extensive), which are shown to differ profoundly. Our results suggest a new emphasis in FDI theories that explicitly identify the dynamics of the intensive and extensive FDI margins.
Item Description:Gesehen am 25.06.2019
Physical Description:Online Resource
ISSN:0164-0704
DOI:10.1016/j.jmacro.2012.01.010