Institutional quality and FDI location: A threshold model

Abstract

This paper aims to explain why foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows into South and Southeast Asia are increasing as alternative production bases to China, but are concentrated in a few countries with better institution quality. The literature posits that labor costs are a major determinant of FDI location decisions. A model of FDI location is explored to examine the threshold role of institutional quality in determining the relationship between labor costs and FDI location. Using data from 14 South and Southeast Asian countries during 2000–2017, evidence shows that effects of labor costs on FDI are nonlinearly decreasing because their institutional quality is improved above threshold values. A better quality of institution reduces country-related costs for FDI location and undermines the negative relationship between labor costs and FDI location. This study contributes by exploring the role of institutional thresholds in determining FDI location and draws policy implications despite labor costs increases.