Exceptionally high FDI inflows into Ireland have been one of the main resources of Irish rapid economic growth, and earned the country a title of “Celtic Tiger”.  The goal of this thesis is to find out the driving sources behind this high inward investment and to examine whether Ireland has truly enjoyed higher amounts of FDI inflows than predicted by the model. This thesis analyzes the determinants of foreign direct investment in Ireland. The determinants being examined are GDP, GDP per capita, infrastructure, labor productivity, education and trade openness. The analyzed period is from 1997 to 2007 and data is collected for 30 OECD member states. With the help of the pooled regression we were able to obtain the following results: GDP, GDP per capita, infrastructure and education have a significant effect on FDI and FDI per capita inflows. However, labor productivity and trade openness turned out to be less significant in attracting FDI to Ireland. Moreover, based on the results, infrastructure had an unexpected negative sign, while the rest of the variables indicated expected positive relation to FDI.

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The thesis examines the foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and, in order to achieve a better understanding of how MENA economies may attract FDI, attempts to identify their possible location-specific de-terminants. The analysis is based on the results of the cross-section OLS regression meth-od. The examined empirical model is based on the eclectic theory developed by John Dun-ning and the previous empirical studies. To test the relevant location-specific determinants of FDI inflows into MENA region, eighteen countries are sampled for the period 1996-2006. The results of the regression analysis show that physical infrastructure and trade openness are significant determinants of FDI in the MENA countries.

The global flows of foreign direct investment (FDI) to Africa have increased steadily in recent years but the research on what determines the location of these investments is scarce. Research focusing on FDI flows from small and open economies such as Sweden is even more uncommon. From the locational factors found in the OLI paradigm we developed a model that was tested on a dataset of 25 African countries over the period of 2007 to 2010. The model proved inadequate in explaining the African inward FDI flows from Sweden. However, it well explains the aggregated inward FDI flows from firms around the world to Africa. Our results implies that the locational determinants derived from the OLI paradigm are inadequate in explaining Swedish FDI flows to Africa and maybe even in explaining flows from a small and open economy to developing countries. The answer to the question of what locational determinants are important for Swedish companies investing in African countries should perhaps be sought for elsewhere.

Foreign Direct Investment is seen as a critical source of capital inflow and a stimulant of economic growth in many developing nations. It brings with it benefits such as job creation, technology and knowledge transfers just to mention a few. Thus many African countries are keen in finding ways of attracting FDI. The main objective of this paper is to empirically examine the determinants of foreign direct investment (FDI) by incorporating an econometric method based on cross-sectional data from 41 African countries over the period 2002-2007. More precisely, this research intends to answer the following question: what are the relevant determinants that promote FDI inflows in Africa? Among the several determinants of FDI, the finding suggests that market size and natural resource predominance are the main determinants of FDI into Africa.

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<p><p>The thesis examines the foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and, in order to achieve a better understanding of how MENA economies may attract FDI, attempts to identify their possible location-specific de-terminants. The analysis is based on the results of the cross-section OLS regression meth-od. The examined empirical model is based on the eclectic theory developed by John Dun-ning and the previous empirical studies. To test the relevant location-specific determinants of FDI inflows into MENA region, eighteen countries are sampled for the period 1996-2006. The results of the regression analysis show that physical infrastructure and trade openness are significant determinants of FDI in the MENA countries.</p></p>

The purpose of this paper is to build a model that incorporates current data of Africa, both regarding risks and opportunities into a strategic framework that should enable a more informed foreign direct investment decision for multinational enterprises (MNEs). The parameters used in the model were carefully chosen as determinants to foreign direct investment (FDI) based on extensive literature reviews. The model currently covers 101 major cities in 40 African countries. The model calculates and ranks indexes of African cities in terms of prospective investment opportunities. It is a general model with the flexibility of adapting to the user’s specific needs, since they can be highly heterogeneous depending on the industry and the type of to FDI considers. To test the validity of the model, standardized weights were used and the results were compared to current reports of FDI inflows to Africa. The results given by the model were to some extent compliable with the result of current FDI inflows, which thereby can be seen as sign of validity.

The Sub-Saharan countries have for a long time struggled with poverty and conflicts which might have proven hostile for investors. The analysis aims to see if there is a significant correlation between foreign direct investments (FDI) and economic growth and which cultural and institutional factors seem to be significant in this correlation. Considered are also other variables and their influence that might explain what motivates and gives incentives for foreign direct investments (FDI) and are used in the construction of a regression analysis. This to see whether there is an effect on the economic growth in relations to FDI. The results show that FDI is of significance to the economic growth in the region and the study shows that corruption seems to be the most significant institutional factor in the correlation with effect on economic growth and the ability to attract FDI.

Après une orientation privilégiant l’exportation et les IDE entrants, la Chine continue à poursuivre son intégration à l’économie mondiale en abordant une projection accélérée de son économie vers l’international marquée par les investissements directs à l’étranger des entreprises chinoises. En très peu de temps, la Chine est devenu la principale source de flux d’IDE parmi les pays en développement. Ce phénomène présente des caractéristiques spécifiques et a pris une ampleur inattendue. L’économie étatique de la Chine nous amène à conclure souvent qu’il existe derrière ces mouvements les motivations politiques et la mise en place d’une stratégie d’État au sein de ces activités. Néanmoins, le gouvernement n’a pas vraiment joué un rôle décisif dans ce phénomène. Le comportement du gouvernement du pays d’origine est en fait un des facteurs exogènes qui peuvent affecter la configuration OLI! [Dunning, 1993a] de ses entreprises et donc les caractéristiques des activités d’investissement à l’étranger de ses entreprises. Le dynamisme et les spécificités des investisseurs chinois sont plutôt à l’origine d’une forte volonté entrepreneuriale qui coïncide avec une maturation des entreprises chinoises grâce au développement économique du pays. Une étude approfondie sur les motivations des entreprises chinoises nous montre que la recherche du marché a été la motivation principale des entreprises chinoises et qu’elles possèdent des avantages spécifiques ex ante qui sont à l’origine de sa nationalité, tels que l’imperfection du marché de capital, la flexibilité et le réseautage des entreprises chinoises. / After an orientation focusing on export and inward FDI, China continues its integration into worldeconomy by an accelerated projection of its economy to the world, which is demonstrated by Chinesecompanies’ outward direct investment. In a very short time, China has become the main source of FDI flow among developing countries. This phonomenon has shown particular characteristics and has taken off at an unexpected scale and speed. The state economy of China leads us to conclude usually that there is any political motivation and national strategy behind these activities. Nevertheless, the government didn’t play a decisive role in this phenomenon. The behaviors of home country’s government is in fact one of the exogenious factors that can affect the OLI configuration [Dunning, 1993a] of its companies and therefore the characteristics of the outward investment activities of its companies. The dynamic and the specificities of Chinese investors are rather derived from a strong entrepreneurial desire which coincides with a maturation of Chinese companies thanks to the economic development of China. An in-depth study on Chinese companies’ motivations has shown us tha! t market-seeking is the principal motivation of Chinese companie’ outwart investment and they possess ex ante specific advantages derived from their nationality,such as capital market imperfection, flexibility and networking capacity.