Largest Home And Host Country Of Fdi example essay topic

Effects of Outward Foreign Direct Investment By: Rodney Bohannon E-mail: The Effects of Foreign Direct Investment on the Home Country Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) could be defined as a minimum 10 percent investment of equity or capital by a firm based in one country (home economy) to an enterprise resident in another country (the host economy). The new entity then becomes a multinational enterprise (MNE). Many companies prefer FDI to exporting to gain access to new or larger markets, gain cost advantages in the host country and in response to trade barriers. There has been significant global growth of FDI since 1982.

Although the United States is the largest home and host country of FDI, outflows have exceeded inflows. Japan in contrast, receives much less inflows than outflows. Cultural and financial management variations between countries do seem to influence the direction of FDI flow. Strategic governmental trade policies in recent years have supported the globalization to a more efficient world economy. Companies often get governmental assistance in attaining international economies of scale and first mover advantages.

The huge inflows of FDI into the United States could be due to the falling value of the dollar in the late 1980's and early 1990's indicating exchange rates play a significant role in the choice of either horizontal or vertical FDI opportunities over exporting. Honda successfully used vertical FDI in the 1980's by establishing high quality operations in the United States. The company utilized U.S. suppliers for machine tools and parts capitalizing on currency exchange rates and local responsiveness. FDI is often preferred over licensing in the high technology or specialized industries, and in many cost sensitive industries.

Significant research is necessary to evaluate the advantages of trade vehicles and their effects on the home country. Parent companies lobby for governmental policies that support free trade in order to gain competitive advantages in developing global markets. Many businesses suffer losses for many years focusing on long-term growth potential. This paper will analyze the possible effects of FDI on the home country.

Home country governments influence the ability of firms to invest in foreign countries. The radical view of FDI was popular until the end of the 1980's, and equated to the economic domination by companies rather than the economic development of nations. Radical policies were prevalent in communist countries and in Latin America in the 1960's-1970's. Radical regimes regularly expropriated multi-national companies and prohibited outward FDI. The collapse of communism, and the growth of the free market view marked the beginning of policies encouraging capital and technology transfers. The Smith and Ricardo Market Imperfections approach to FDI, involves maximizing gains and minimizing the costs of FDI.

Most countries have adopted policies somewhere between the radical and free market approach, while still imposing some restrictions on outward FDI (Pragmatic nationalism). There are many potential benefits of FDI on the home country. Improvement in the balance of payments can be realized through increased inward earnings, potential home country exports and foreign expertise that can be transferred back to the home economy. Opportunities to be exposed to new work practices and technology, can aid the home economy in managing and exploiting technology and knowledge-based assets. Higher living standards are also a general long-term benefit of outward FDI, due to the added value characteristics of comparative advantage, and more affordable products and services. Outward FDI could also detract from a home country's capital stock.

A negative balance of payments is possible if earnings aren't realized in an acceptable time period. Also, if FDI is a substitute for direct exports or aimed at serving the home market from a low cost location, the balance of payments could be adversely affected.