Research Article

Geopolitical Alignment and Friend-Shoring: Evidence from Turkish Outward Foreign Direct Investment

Volume: 11 Number: 2 June 30, 2026
TR EN

Geopolitical Alignment and Friend-Shoring: Evidence from Turkish Outward Foreign Direct Investment

Abstract

Geopolitical tensions have increasingly reshaped foreign direct investment (FDI) patterns, leading to “friend-shoring,” whereby investments are redirected toward geopolitically aligned countries. Despite growing attention, empirical evidence on the geopolitical determinants of FDI in emerging economies remains limited. This paper examines whether and how geopolitical alignment affects Turkish outward FDI (OFDI) during 2003–2023. Using panel data and a geopolitical distance measure based on UN voting similarity, the results show that Turkish OFDI declines with increasing geopolitical distance, providing strong evidence of friend-shoring behavior. However, this effect is heterogeneous. It is stronger in emerging markets but can be mitigated by better governance, particularly through stronger corruption control and greater voice and accountability. This paper also demonstrates that geopolitical alignment operates through multiple channels. Turkish OFDI responds not only to the degree of bilateral geopolitical proximity but also to countries’ positions in the US–China rivalry and their bloc affiliations. Finally, the effect of geopolitical alignment weakens after 2018, indicating that the relationship between geopolitics and OFDI evolves along with geopolitical dynamics.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

International Finance, Regional Development and Globalisation in International Economics

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

June 30, 2026

Submission Date

May 20, 2026

Acceptance Date

June 29, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 11 Number: 2

APA
Kurul, Z. (2026). Geopolitical Alignment and Friend-Shoring: Evidence from Turkish Outward Foreign Direct Investment. Ekonomi Politika Ve Finans Araştırmaları Dergisi, 11(2), 378-397. https://doi.org/10.30784/epfad.1955756
AMA
1.Kurul Z. Geopolitical Alignment and Friend-Shoring: Evidence from Turkish Outward Foreign Direct Investment. EPF Journal. 2026;11(2):378-397. doi:10.30784/epfad.1955756
Chicago
Kurul, Zühal. 2026. “Geopolitical Alignment and Friend-Shoring: Evidence from Turkish Outward Foreign Direct Investment”. Ekonomi Politika Ve Finans Araştırmaları Dergisi 11 (2): 378-97. https://doi.org/10.30784/epfad.1955756.
EndNote
Kurul Z (June 1, 2026) Geopolitical Alignment and Friend-Shoring: Evidence from Turkish Outward Foreign Direct Investment. Ekonomi Politika ve Finans Araştırmaları Dergisi 11 2 378–397.
IEEE
[1]Z. Kurul, “Geopolitical Alignment and Friend-Shoring: Evidence from Turkish Outward Foreign Direct Investment”, EPF Journal, vol. 11, no. 2, pp. 378–397, June 2026, doi: 10.30784/epfad.1955756.
ISNAD
Kurul, Zühal. “Geopolitical Alignment and Friend-Shoring: Evidence from Turkish Outward Foreign Direct Investment”. Ekonomi Politika ve Finans Araştırmaları Dergisi 11/2 (June 1, 2026): 378-397. https://doi.org/10.30784/epfad.1955756.
JAMA
1.Kurul Z. Geopolitical Alignment and Friend-Shoring: Evidence from Turkish Outward Foreign Direct Investment. EPF Journal. 2026;11:378–397.
MLA
Kurul, Zühal. “Geopolitical Alignment and Friend-Shoring: Evidence from Turkish Outward Foreign Direct Investment”. Ekonomi Politika Ve Finans Araştırmaları Dergisi, vol. 11, no. 2, June 2026, pp. 378-97, doi:10.30784/epfad.1955756.
Vancouver
1.Zühal Kurul. Geopolitical Alignment and Friend-Shoring: Evidence from Turkish Outward Foreign Direct Investment. EPF Journal. 2026 Jun. 1;11(2):378-97. doi:10.30784/epfad.1955756