The Institutional Reforms Debate and FDI Flows to the MENA Region: The " Best" Ensemble

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    41 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    This paper empirically examines the theoretical debate on the adoption of a best approach to reforming institutions identified by Rodrik (2008) in the context of property rights protection and FDI flows to eight MENA countries. The first best approach comprises strengthening domestic institutional functions only, while the second best comprises in addition entering into force bilateral investment treaties and the interaction between functions and treaties. Empirically both approaches to reducing investment expropriation risk encourage FDI flows. The positive effect of the second best approach depends on the success of the first best approach, suggesting the two approaches are complementary.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)1798-1809
    Number of pages12
    JournalWorld Development
    Volume40
    Issue number9
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Sept 2012

    Keywords

    • FDI
    • First best
    • Institutional reforms
    • MENA
    • Property rights protection
    • Second best

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Geography, Planning and Development
    • Development
    • Sociology and Political Science
    • Economics and Econometrics

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'The Institutional Reforms Debate and FDI Flows to the MENA Region: The " Best" Ensemble'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this