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Assessing the Impact of Foreign Direct Investment on Economic Growth: Evidence from the Western Balkans

Year 2025, Volume: 7 Issue: 1, 53 - 66, 29.06.2025
https://doi.org/10.56668/jefr.1618378

Abstract

This study aims to empirically explore the relationship between FDI and growth in six of the Western Balkan countries. The hypothesized relationship between FDI and economic growth was examined for the period between 1996 and 2021. Descriptive statistics and simple linear regression were used in data processing. The findings of this study reveal that a hypothesis about a positive impact FDI inflows on the GDP selected countries has been rejected in case of Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina. It means that FDI has no statistically significant influence on growth in these two countries. However, when it comes to Croatia, North Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia, a hypothesis was not rejected providing explanation that FDI contributes to growth of these four countries. FDI functions as a growth accelerator yet its success ratings differ in each situation. Government policies need to be customized for each country based on the successful Montenegro's model.

Ethical Statement

Etik kurul izni gerekli değil

References

  • Alfaro, L., Chanda, A., Kalemli-Ozcan, S. and Sayek, S. (2004). FDI and economic growth: The role of local financial markets. Journal of International Economics, 64(1): 89-112.
  • Alfaro, L., Kalemli-Ozcan, S. and Volosovych, V. (2007). Capital flows in a globalized world: The role of policies and institutions. In S. Edwards (Ed.), Capital controls and capital flows in emerging economies: Policies, practices, and consequences (pp. 19-72). University of Chicago Press.
  • Anghel, B. 2006. Foreign direct ınvestment in transition countries: A dynamic analysis at firm level. Universidad Autonoma de Barcelona. Available at: https://citeseerx.ist. psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.408.6849&rep= rep1&type=pd
  • Asteriou,D, Dassiouo, X. and Dionysius, G. (2005). FDI and Growth: Evidence from a panel of European transition countries. Journal of Economics and Business, 55(1): 9-30.
  • Bačić, K., Račić,D. and Ahec-Šonje, A. (2004). The effects of FDI on recipient countries in Central and Eastern Europe. Privredna Kretanja i Ekonomska Politika, 14(100): 58-96.
  • Bevan, A. and Estrin, S. (2000). The determinants of foreign direct investment in transition economies (CEEM Working Paper No. 342). Retrieved from https://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/handle/2027.42/39726/wp342.pdf?seque
  • Bilas, V. (2019). Foreign direct investment and economic growth relationship in Croatia. UTMS Journal of Economics, 10(2): 175–187.
  • Carkovic, M. and R. Levine. (2005). Does foreign direct investment accelerate economic growth? In H. Moran, M. Graham, and M. Blomstrom (Eds.), Does foreign direct investment promote development (pp. 195–220). Washington: Institute for International Economics.
  • Dritsaki, C. and Stiakakis, E. (2014). Foreign direct investments, exports, and economic growth in Croatia: A time series analysis. Procedia Economics and Finance, 14: 181-190. Dunning, J.H. (1993). Multinational enterprises and the global economy. Workingham: Addison-Wesley. Estrin, S. and Uvalic, M. (2013). Foreign direct investment into transition economies: Are the Balkans different? (LEQS Working Paper No. 64). Retrieved from https://www.econstor.eu/handle/10419/303347
  • Estrin, S. and Uvalic, M. (2016). Foreign direct investment in the Western Balkans: What role has it played during transition?. Comparative Economic Studies, 58: 455-483.
  • Fabris, N., Kilibarda, B., Radunovic, M. and Rakocevic, M. (2008). Foreign direct investments as a driving force of economic development of Montenegro (Central Bank of Montenegro Working Paper No. 16). Retrieved from https://www.cbcg.me/slike_i_fajlovi/eng/fajlovi/fajlovi_publikacije/radne_studije/fdi_driving_force.pdf
  • Ganić, M. and Hrnjic, M. (2019). Does a country's business regulatory environment affect its attractiveness to FDI? Empirical evidence from Central and Southeast European countries. Eastern Journal of European Studies, 10(2): 89–105.
  • Ganić, M. (2020). Financial globalization. In Financial Globalization in the Emerging Balkans: Exploring Financial Trends on the Eve of EU Membership (pp. 29-47). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-65009-4_3
  • Ganić M. (2022). Does institutional quality matter for the IDP hypothesis? Evidence from emerging Europe. Croatian Economic Survey, 24(1): 83–113.
  • Ganić, M. and Novalić, A. (2023). Does regional trade integration strengthen or weaken capital mobility? New evidence from four free trade areas. Economics and Business Review, 9(3): 239–264.
  • Garibaldi, P., Mora, N., Sahay, R. and Zettelmeyer, J. (2001). What moves capital to transition economies? (IMF Staff Papers No. 48). Retrieved from http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/cat/longres.cfm?sk=15760
  • Güryel, A. and Kula, V. (2023). Exploring the causal linkage between foreign equity investments and BIST 100 Index. Journal of Corporate Governance, Insurance, and Risk Management, 10(2): 169-175.
  • Ivanovic, Z., Bogdan, S. and Baresa, S. (2014). Impact of foreign direct investments on Croatian financial growth. UTMS Journal of Economics, 5(2): 141–150.
  • Jakubiak, M., & Kudina, A. (2008). The Motives and Impediments to FDI in the CIS (Working Paper No. 0370). Retrieved from https://ideas.repec.org/p/sec/cnstan/0370.html
  • Karadžić, V. (2015). Modeling the impact of FDI on GDP of Montenegro. Economics & Economy, pp. 7-18.
  • Kersan-Škabić, I. and Zubin, C. (2009). The influence of foreign direct investment on the growth of GDP, on employment and on export in Croatia. Ekonomski pregled, 60(3-4): 119-151.
  • Krstevska, A. and Petrovska, M. (2012). The economic impacts of the foreign direct investments: Panel estimation by sectors on the case of Macedonian economy (Working Paper No. 2011-02). Retrieved from https://www.econstor.eu/bitstream/10419/173704/1/wp-nb-rm-2011-02.pdf
  • Lyroudi, K., Papanastasiou, J. and Athanasios, V. (2004). Foreign direct investment and economic growth in transition economies. South Eastern Europe Journal of Economics, 1: 97-110.
  • Mamuti, A. and Ganic, M. (2019). Impact of FDI on GDP and Unemployment in Macedonia Compared to Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina. In Creative Business and Social Innovations for a Sustainable Future: Proceedings of the 1st American University in the Emirates International Research Conference—Dubai, UAE 2017 (pp. 167-173). Cham: Springer International Publishing.
  • Mencinger, J. (2003). Does foreign investment always enhance economic growth?, Kyklos, 56(4): 491.-508. Milenkovic, I. and Milenkovic, D. (2012). Inward foreign direct investments to Serbia–investigating motives in the past and prospects for the future. Review of Applied Socio-Economic Research, 4(2): 158-165.
  • Olofsdotter, K. (1998). Foreign direct investment, country capabilities and economic growth. Weltwirtschaftliches Archiv, (H. 3), 534-547.
  • Palinescu, E. and Radulescu, M. (2009). The impact of FDI on the economic growth and countries' export potential. Romanian Journal of Economic Forecasting, 12(4): 153-169.
  • Perciun, R., Stratan, A. and Timush, A. (2014). The methodology of financial stability assessment of Republic of Moldova through macroeconomic indicators. Procedia Economics and Finance, 15: 383-392. Sanfey, P., Milatović, J. and Krešić, A. (2016). How the Western Balkans can catch up (EBRD Working Paper No. 186). Retrieved from https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3119685
  • Sarker, B. and Khan, F. (2020). Nexus between foreign direct investment and economic growth in Bangladesh: An augmented autoregressive distributed lag bounds testing approach. Financial Innovation, 6(1): 10.
  • Smolo, E. (2021). The FDI and economic growth in the Western Balkans: The role of institutions. Journal of Economic Cooperation and Development (JECD), 42(4): 147-170.
  • Vasa, L. and Angeloska, A. (2020). Foreign direct investment in the Republic of Serbia: Correlation between foreign direct investments and the selected economic variables. Journal of International Studies, 13(1): 170-183.
  • Vurur, N.S., Yildiz, M. and Ozdemir, L. (2023). The asymmetric impact of foreign direct investments on ecological footprint: Evidence from Turkiye. In VII. International Applied Social Sciences Congress Book (pp. 18-18).

Doğrudan Yabancı Yatırımların Ekonomik Büyüme Üzerindeki Etkisinin Değerlendirilmesi: Batı Balkanlar'dan Kanıtlar

Year 2025, Volume: 7 Issue: 1, 53 - 66, 29.06.2025
https://doi.org/10.56668/jefr.1618378

Abstract

Bu çalışma, altı Batı Balkan ülkesinde DYY ve büyüme arasındaki ilişkiyi ampirik olarak araştırmayı amaçlamaktadır. DYY ve ekonomik büyüme arasındaki varsayılan ilişki 1996 ve 2021 yılları arasındaki dönem için incelenmiştir. Veri işlemede tanımlayıcı (tek değişkenli) ve iki değişkenli (t-testi, ANOVA, korelasyon analizi) ve basit doğrusal regresyon kullanılmıştır. Bu çalışmanın bulguları, Arnavutluk ve Bosna Hersek için bir hipotezin reddedildiğini ortaya koymaktadır. Bu, DYY'nin bu iki ülkede büyüme üzerinde istatistiksel olarak anlamlı bir etkisi olmadığı anlamına gelmektedir. Ancak, Hırvatistan, Kuzey Makedonya, Karadağ ve Sırbistan söz konusu olduğunda, DYY'nin bu dört ülkenin büyümesine katkıda bulunduğunu gösteren hipotez kabul edilmiştir

References

  • Alfaro, L., Chanda, A., Kalemli-Ozcan, S. and Sayek, S. (2004). FDI and economic growth: The role of local financial markets. Journal of International Economics, 64(1): 89-112.
  • Alfaro, L., Kalemli-Ozcan, S. and Volosovych, V. (2007). Capital flows in a globalized world: The role of policies and institutions. In S. Edwards (Ed.), Capital controls and capital flows in emerging economies: Policies, practices, and consequences (pp. 19-72). University of Chicago Press.
  • Anghel, B. 2006. Foreign direct ınvestment in transition countries: A dynamic analysis at firm level. Universidad Autonoma de Barcelona. Available at: https://citeseerx.ist. psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.408.6849&rep= rep1&type=pd
  • Asteriou,D, Dassiouo, X. and Dionysius, G. (2005). FDI and Growth: Evidence from a panel of European transition countries. Journal of Economics and Business, 55(1): 9-30.
  • Bačić, K., Račić,D. and Ahec-Šonje, A. (2004). The effects of FDI on recipient countries in Central and Eastern Europe. Privredna Kretanja i Ekonomska Politika, 14(100): 58-96.
  • Bevan, A. and Estrin, S. (2000). The determinants of foreign direct investment in transition economies (CEEM Working Paper No. 342). Retrieved from https://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/handle/2027.42/39726/wp342.pdf?seque
  • Bilas, V. (2019). Foreign direct investment and economic growth relationship in Croatia. UTMS Journal of Economics, 10(2): 175–187.
  • Carkovic, M. and R. Levine. (2005). Does foreign direct investment accelerate economic growth? In H. Moran, M. Graham, and M. Blomstrom (Eds.), Does foreign direct investment promote development (pp. 195–220). Washington: Institute for International Economics.
  • Dritsaki, C. and Stiakakis, E. (2014). Foreign direct investments, exports, and economic growth in Croatia: A time series analysis. Procedia Economics and Finance, 14: 181-190. Dunning, J.H. (1993). Multinational enterprises and the global economy. Workingham: Addison-Wesley. Estrin, S. and Uvalic, M. (2013). Foreign direct investment into transition economies: Are the Balkans different? (LEQS Working Paper No. 64). Retrieved from https://www.econstor.eu/handle/10419/303347
  • Estrin, S. and Uvalic, M. (2016). Foreign direct investment in the Western Balkans: What role has it played during transition?. Comparative Economic Studies, 58: 455-483.
  • Fabris, N., Kilibarda, B., Radunovic, M. and Rakocevic, M. (2008). Foreign direct investments as a driving force of economic development of Montenegro (Central Bank of Montenegro Working Paper No. 16). Retrieved from https://www.cbcg.me/slike_i_fajlovi/eng/fajlovi/fajlovi_publikacije/radne_studije/fdi_driving_force.pdf
  • Ganić, M. and Hrnjic, M. (2019). Does a country's business regulatory environment affect its attractiveness to FDI? Empirical evidence from Central and Southeast European countries. Eastern Journal of European Studies, 10(2): 89–105.
  • Ganić, M. (2020). Financial globalization. In Financial Globalization in the Emerging Balkans: Exploring Financial Trends on the Eve of EU Membership (pp. 29-47). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-65009-4_3
  • Ganić M. (2022). Does institutional quality matter for the IDP hypothesis? Evidence from emerging Europe. Croatian Economic Survey, 24(1): 83–113.
  • Ganić, M. and Novalić, A. (2023). Does regional trade integration strengthen or weaken capital mobility? New evidence from four free trade areas. Economics and Business Review, 9(3): 239–264.
  • Garibaldi, P., Mora, N., Sahay, R. and Zettelmeyer, J. (2001). What moves capital to transition economies? (IMF Staff Papers No. 48). Retrieved from http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/cat/longres.cfm?sk=15760
  • Güryel, A. and Kula, V. (2023). Exploring the causal linkage between foreign equity investments and BIST 100 Index. Journal of Corporate Governance, Insurance, and Risk Management, 10(2): 169-175.
  • Ivanovic, Z., Bogdan, S. and Baresa, S. (2014). Impact of foreign direct investments on Croatian financial growth. UTMS Journal of Economics, 5(2): 141–150.
  • Jakubiak, M., & Kudina, A. (2008). The Motives and Impediments to FDI in the CIS (Working Paper No. 0370). Retrieved from https://ideas.repec.org/p/sec/cnstan/0370.html
  • Karadžić, V. (2015). Modeling the impact of FDI on GDP of Montenegro. Economics & Economy, pp. 7-18.
  • Kersan-Škabić, I. and Zubin, C. (2009). The influence of foreign direct investment on the growth of GDP, on employment and on export in Croatia. Ekonomski pregled, 60(3-4): 119-151.
  • Krstevska, A. and Petrovska, M. (2012). The economic impacts of the foreign direct investments: Panel estimation by sectors on the case of Macedonian economy (Working Paper No. 2011-02). Retrieved from https://www.econstor.eu/bitstream/10419/173704/1/wp-nb-rm-2011-02.pdf
  • Lyroudi, K., Papanastasiou, J. and Athanasios, V. (2004). Foreign direct investment and economic growth in transition economies. South Eastern Europe Journal of Economics, 1: 97-110.
  • Mamuti, A. and Ganic, M. (2019). Impact of FDI on GDP and Unemployment in Macedonia Compared to Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina. In Creative Business and Social Innovations for a Sustainable Future: Proceedings of the 1st American University in the Emirates International Research Conference—Dubai, UAE 2017 (pp. 167-173). Cham: Springer International Publishing.
  • Mencinger, J. (2003). Does foreign investment always enhance economic growth?, Kyklos, 56(4): 491.-508. Milenkovic, I. and Milenkovic, D. (2012). Inward foreign direct investments to Serbia–investigating motives in the past and prospects for the future. Review of Applied Socio-Economic Research, 4(2): 158-165.
  • Olofsdotter, K. (1998). Foreign direct investment, country capabilities and economic growth. Weltwirtschaftliches Archiv, (H. 3), 534-547.
  • Palinescu, E. and Radulescu, M. (2009). The impact of FDI on the economic growth and countries' export potential. Romanian Journal of Economic Forecasting, 12(4): 153-169.
  • Perciun, R., Stratan, A. and Timush, A. (2014). The methodology of financial stability assessment of Republic of Moldova through macroeconomic indicators. Procedia Economics and Finance, 15: 383-392. Sanfey, P., Milatović, J. and Krešić, A. (2016). How the Western Balkans can catch up (EBRD Working Paper No. 186). Retrieved from https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3119685
  • Sarker, B. and Khan, F. (2020). Nexus between foreign direct investment and economic growth in Bangladesh: An augmented autoregressive distributed lag bounds testing approach. Financial Innovation, 6(1): 10.
  • Smolo, E. (2021). The FDI and economic growth in the Western Balkans: The role of institutions. Journal of Economic Cooperation and Development (JECD), 42(4): 147-170.
  • Vasa, L. and Angeloska, A. (2020). Foreign direct investment in the Republic of Serbia: Correlation between foreign direct investments and the selected economic variables. Journal of International Studies, 13(1): 170-183.
  • Vurur, N.S., Yildiz, M. and Ozdemir, L. (2023). The asymmetric impact of foreign direct investments on ecological footprint: Evidence from Turkiye. In VII. International Applied Social Sciences Congress Book (pp. 18-18).
There are 32 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects International Finance
Journal Section Research Articles
Authors

Agim Mamuti 0000-0003-2499-0216

Ercan Özen 0000-0002-7774-5153

Publication Date June 29, 2025
Submission Date January 12, 2025
Acceptance Date April 4, 2025
Published in Issue Year 2025 Volume: 7 Issue: 1

Cite

APA Mamuti, A., & Özen, E. (2025). Assessing the Impact of Foreign Direct Investment on Economic Growth: Evidence from the Western Balkans. Ekonomi Ve Finansal Araştırmalar Dergisi, 7(1), 53-66. https://doi.org/10.56668/jefr.1618378