Title: Institutional distance and foreign direct investment: an asymmetric approach

Authors: Marcelo P. Duarte; Fernando Carvalho

Addresses: Faculty of Economics, University of Coimbra, CeBER, Av. Dr. Dias da Silva, 165, Coimbra, 3004-512, Portugal ' Faculty of Economics, University of Coimbra, CeBER, Av. Dr. Dias da Silva, 165, Coimbra, 3004-512, Portugal

Abstract: This paper analyses the effects of distance asymmetries on Portuguese inward foreign direct investment (FDI) from relatively more, and less, developed countries through the lenses of institutional distance. We developed a panel dataset composed of 35 origins of Portuguese FDI during the period 2003–2015 and analysed it through a series of multiple regression techniques. Results suggest that, when investing in Portugal, countries with lower levels of development are not affected by distance variations. Conversely, it seems that FDI from more developed countries is influenced by several dimensions of distance. This paper contributes to the understanding of asymmetries in institutional distance, emphasising the need for purely asymmetric distance constructs in IB research. Also, it provides the framework for assessing asymmetries with traditional, absolute measured, distance constructs.

Keywords: asymmetries; country development; cross national distance; distance; distance asymmetries; FDI; foreign direct investment; multiple regressions; panel data; Portugal.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEBR.2021.115507

International Journal of Economics and Business Research, 2021 Vol.21 No.4, pp.481 - 502

Received: 08 Jan 2020
Accepted: 05 May 2020
Published online: 07 Jun 2021 *

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