The Role of Information in Driving FDI: Theory and Evidence

We develop a simple information-based model of FDI flows in which the abundance of intangible' capital in the source countries, which generates expertise in cream-skimming investment projects in the host countries and enhances FDI flows. Corporate transparency in the host countries, on the other hand, diminishes the value of this expertise and thereby reduces the flow of FDI. Empirical evidence (from a sample of 12 source countries and 45 host countries over the 1980s and 1990s) which is analyzed in a gravity equation model provides some support to our theoretical hypotheses. The gains from FDI in the host country in our model are reflected in a more e.cient size of stock of domestic capital and its allocation across firms. These gains depend crucially (and inversely) on the degree of competition among FDI investors.