Thesis examines the trade development in the Visegrad countries, the Czech Republic, Slovak Republic, Poland and Hungary through the detailed analyses of their historical trends in GDP, currency and inflation, and foreign trade. The timeline of their trade development was split into two periods: during communism and after the collapse of communism. The study showed that the Visegrad countries' trade was concentrated mostly within the CMEA countries and their trade relations with the West were restricted which held them back from their earlier integration into the EU and also kept down their economic growth for several decades. Their economies were centrally planned and state held monopoly over foreign trade which caused them to be much less competitive on world markets. The period after the collapse of their communist regimes involves their transition to market economy and their full integration into the EU with the increasing share of the EU in their foreign trade. The analysis of this period emphasizes the importance of the openness of their economies in their gained economic growth. Another purpose of the study was to look into their trade perspectives with the economic projections and their future accession into the Eurozone. Visegrad countries' cooperation in attracting FDI into the region was also found important for their economic stabilization and future growth in today's competitive world.

Depuis le début des années 1980, l'ouverture de l'économie mondiale a conduit à une évolution rapide des flux d'IDE essentiellement vers les pays en voie de développement. Cette croissance est le résultat du changement structurel de l'activité économique vers la spécialisation verticale internationale. Ainsi, elle a fait émerger un nouveau principe d'analyse pour arbitrer entre l'IDE et la sous-traitance internationale.Notre travail s'intéresse au cas de la Tunisie et examine l'évolution des IDE entrants, essentiellement après la signature de l'accord de partenariat avec l'Union Européenne en 1995. Cet accord représente le point fort du processus d'ouverture de l'économie Tunisienne censé consolider les déterminants économiques traditionnels. Notre analyse empirique des flux entrants entre 1992 et 2008 pour l'ensemble des 58 pays originaires des investissements étrangers en Tunisie, montre que ces investissements se sont concentrés principalement dans le secteur énergétique et dans la branche des textiles et habillement. La principale motivation des investisseurs étrangers demeure la recherche d'une main d'œuvre bon marché, dans une logique de division internationale du travail. En outre, mis à part quelques opérations de privatisation générant des flux importants et concentrés dans la télécommunication et la cimenterie, le processus de libéralisation de l'activité économique n'a pas eu les effets escomptés sur les flux entrants d'IDE. / Since the early eighties, the liberalization of the world economy has led to a rapid evolution of the FDI flows essentially to the developing countries. This growth is the result of a structural change of the economic activity towards an international vertical specialization. Consequently, a new principle of analysis has emerged to arbitrate between the FDI and the international outsourcing.Our work is interested in the case of Tunisia and examines the evolution of the FDI inflows after the signing of the partnership agreement with the EU in 1995. This agreement represents a landmark in the liberalization process of the Tunisian economy meant to strengthen the traditional economic determinants.Our empirical study of the inflows between 1992 and 2008 for the 58 countries originating in the foreign investment in Tunisia shows that these investments have concentrated mainly on the sector of energy and on the textile and clothing industry. The main motivation of the foreign investors remains the search for cheap labour in a logical international division of labour. Furthermore, apart from some privatization operations generating important flows and concentrated in telecommunications and cement, the process of liberalization of the economic activity didn't have the expected effects on the incoming FDI flows.

This master thesis aims to present the phenomenon of the Duthc disease. The thesis consist of theoretical and analytical part.

The historical ties have had limited explorations in the international business literature review. The existing studies have focused on overseas with countries having historic colonization relations, thus making the concept underrepresented in an African context. African country relations present different dynamics when it relates to historical ties. We adopt an exploratory approach for this research to investigate the historical tie factors as an influence for foreign direct investment (FDI) by looking into South Africa and Mozambique. The research contributes to academic literature expansion and for business to understand opportunities of cross-border trades/FDI flows as a result of either formal or informal historical ties. The study relies on the institutional based theory to understand the role played through historical ties and the implications on FDI flows. A total of 09 qualitative in-depth interviews were conducted with policy makers within the public sectors and companies participating in FDI to Mozambique from the private sector. The study results reveal that historical ties have an influence on foreign direct investment (FDI) flows. However, a number of formal and informal factors need to be considered in order to create an environment that positively enhances FDI flows especially between South Africa and Mozambique. / Mini Dissertation (MPhil (Corporate Strategy))--University of Pretoria, 2021. / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / MPhil (Corporate Strategy) / Unrestricted

The purpose of this study is to evaluate if FDI can be used as a proverbial ‘another arrow in the quiver’ for boosting economic growth. The research topic at hand asks if a positive regression can be observed between the employment of external market forces, specifically FDI, and economic growth. The study covers Singapore and South Korea during the period 1972-2019. The theoretical framework includes Solow’s exogenous growth theory, Romer’s endogenous growth theory and the OLI-theory. These theories provide the mechanism and context which explains how FDI can affect an economy, these include capital accumulation and non-rivalising ideas. The data has been tested to see if it complies with the classical assumption of linear regression. The analysis is based on multiple variable regression where a new independent variable is presented for each new regression that is made. The results show that there is no statistically significant coefficient in the regression model between FDI-inflow and economic growth in both countries during the specified time period. This result occurred because the FDI variable for the multiple regressions for each country usually does not show a statistically significant result. This means that the coefficient values presented in the regressions cannot be interpreted as facts because they do not reach the confidence interval below 5% to be seen as trustworthy results.

Nigeria is rich country in terms of natural resources, It has one of Africa's largest economy, having being endowed with massive natural, human, renewable and non-renewable resources. With a population of about 160 million people which creates a large market for goods and services, rich soil suitable for commercial agriculture, deposits of natural resources including crude-oil, natural-gas, tin, and rock-salt, and cash crops including cocoa, kola-nut, cotton, groundnut and timber, Nigeria has the potential of being one of the largest economy globally and the political hegemony in Africa.1 However, the country has not been able to achieve sustainable development as a result of the deplorable state of infrastructure. Nigeria is confronted with the problem of immense infrastructure deficit which adversely affect national income, cost of production and distribution of goods and services, reduces Foreign Direct Investment(FDI), and result in poverty, unemployment, frequent youth unrest and fall in the general living standards.2 The poor state of infrastructure assets in the country is traceable primarily to the neglect by government and poor maintenance during the transition period from military rule to civilian administration. In an attempt to recover from the infrastructure decay, privatization was commenced in the late 90s through to the 21st century. Yet, there was no commendable improvements as the quality of public services dropped continuously and most of the enterprises were eventually wounded up as a result of corruption, poor maintenance and lack of skilled expertise.3 Furthermore, as a result of budget deficit caused by contraction in fiscal space, and continuous increase in demand for public services which correlates with population growth and rural-urban migration, public financing cannot facilitate bridging of the infrastructure gap. Also, having realized the success of Public Private Partnership (PPP) in other climes, government adopted PPP in 2005 to aid transition of the state of national infrastructure through private involvement in infrastructure financing. Unfortunately, for well over one decade of adopting PPP, Nigeria has not witnessed any commendable changes in her infrastructure assets. The poor performance of PPP in country has been traced to several factors including corruption, lack of transparency, and undue political interference. Central to the factors is the problem of regulatory deficit.4 Consequently, this study will examine the Nigerian PPP legal and regulatory framework to ascertain the problems responsible for the inability of the infrastructure financing technique to facilitate sustainable development through successful infrastructure projects. / Dissertation (LLM)--University of Pretoria, 2014 / gm2015 / Centre for Human Rights / LLM / Unrestricted

The purpose of this paper is to discuss and to anticipate the possible impacts Namibia’s New Investment Promotion Act (NIPA) may have on the flow of Foreign Direct Investment into the country. The aim is to highlight the researchers’ view that restrictive laws are harmful and deters investors. She maintains that NIPA be overhauled to create certainty and build investor confidence. Foreign direct investment is a significant part of every economy. It graces hosts with foreign revenue, technical know-how, technological spill overs, job creation, but to mention a few. The researcher also opines that liberal investment policies cannot be attributed to economic stagnation. The greatest evil in Africa is illicit financial flows, prompted by administrative corruption and the more. It is also noted throughout the paper that as Africans we need to focus on the proper implementation of domestic laws to see greater growth. This is where law-makers should direct their creative energies to. Liberal investment regimes are not the problem, but rather the ineffective implementation of those related laws and policies. / Mini Dissertation (LLM)--University of Pretoria, 2017. / Centre for Human Rights / LLM / Unrestricted

Foreign private capital flows, portfolio investment and foreign direct investment (FDI), have been important external sources of financing growth and investment around the world. Since the start of the new millennium, FDI has become a major source of external finance for many developing countries mainly due to the economic benefits associated with this investment. Developing countries have been jostling for FDI in an attempt to resolve some of their structural problems, such as poverty. Poverty is a sensitive and persistent issue in most developing countries. More recently, FDI into the financial sector (FSFDI) has increased significantly, reshaping the sector significantly. The widely-held perception is that FSFDI is associated with financial development, job creation and skills transfer which are critical factors in alleviating poverty. In spite of the significant inflow of investment, new estimates of poverty in the developing world are disconcerting.Foreign private capital flows, portfolio investment and foreign direct investment (FDI), have been important external sources of financing growth and investment around the world. Since the start of the new millennium, FDI has become a major source of external finance for many developing countries mainly due to the economic benefits associated with this investment. Developing countries have been jostling for FDI in an attempt to resolve some of their structural problems, such as poverty. Poverty is a sensitive and persistent issue in most developing countries. More recently, FDI into the financial sector (FSFDI) has increased significantly, reshaping the sector significantly. The widely-held perception is that FSFDI is associated with financial development, job creation and skills transfer which are critical factors in alleviating poverty. In spite of the significant inflow of investment, new estimates of poverty in the developing world are disconcerting.The main objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of FSFDI on poverty alleviation in developing countries. Linear regression analysis was done to determine the relationship between FSFDI inflow and other variables that were viewed as reducing agents of poverty, namely financial sector employment, employee training and financial access. The sample data used for this research represents South Africa and a convenience sampling technique was utilised. / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / unrestricted

South African Multinational Corporations (MNCs) are expanding their operations and seeking investment opportunities elsewhere bedsides South Africa. Some of these opportunities present themselves in unfamiliar environments which are politically risky nonetheless South African MNCs continue to invest in such countries. The aim of this research paper is to establish the impact of political risk on foreign direct investment decisions by South African MNCs. The paper seeks to establish key political risk factors that South African MNCs consider prior to investing in a country deemed politically risky. Once they have indentified these political risk factors, what are the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) drivers attracting them to a specific country despite its political climate? The paper attempts to understand the decision making process of MNCs when seeking to invest in a politically risky country and to what extent do MNCs involve the incumbent government and other local stakeholders in this process. Lastly the paper seeks to establish how MNCs manage the impact of political risk in a country.A qualitative research methodology with an exploratory design was used to collect the data. In-depth face-to-face interviews were conducted with eight representatives from South African MNCs which are doing business in politically risky countries.The results reveal that political risk has a significant impact on the FDI decision making process of South African MNCs and how they go about conducting this process has a far reaching impact on the success of the MNC in a politically risky country. Conducting a thorough political environment assessment is critical, by engaging the incumbent government and all relevant stakeholders is key when seeking to invest in politically risky countries. Politics drive economics therefore one cannot separate economics and politics. / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / unrestricted

The purpose of this thesis is to draw the global trend of Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) in the French real estate market since 2008 and to understand foreign investors’ behavior and the incentives which urge them to invest in French property market. This study relies on the numerous yearly reports released by consulting and real estate companies and gives an overview of FDI since 2008. From a legal point of view, the French property market is extremely organized. Acquiring, holding and selling real estate property is allowed for international investors. There is no restriction on international and no authorization is needed. Foreigners can freely invest but may have to declare their operations to the French authorities in charge of foreign investments legislation. Both these simple requirements and its attractiveness make French real estate an appealing market for foreign investors which represent between 40% and 60% from year to year. In five years, global economic context has changed and new actors have appeared on the international stage. With more than €25 bn real estate investments in 2007, total transactions plummeted to €8 bn in 2009 and then have stabilized at around €15 bn in since 2011. While developed countries attempt to solve their financial and economic issues, emerging country investors from Middle East and Asia have the opportunity to get into the French market and develop their investments. New foreign investors focus on either Parisian offices or trophy assets, in order to foster their exposure, whereas traditional investors from developed countries - such as Germany, the UK, the USA, etc - usually more risk averse, look for secured and core assets in Paris or its suburbs which guarantee few risks and regular returns. The financial crisis of 2008 and the European crisis of 2010 stopped the financialization of real estate assets which resulted to irrational prices in French and more precisely Parisian market. Investors have come back to initial use of real estate assets which is now considered as safe haven investments.