Ownership Structure in Foreign Direct Investment Projects

Abstract

This paper theoretically and empirically examines ownership structure in foreign direct investment (FDI) projects. We show that in choosing an ownership structure, foreign investors, local entrepreneurs, and government consider the specific, costly-to-market assets that the participants and the country bring to the project. In equilibrium, the foreign equity share rises with the importance of foreign investor assets and declines with the contribution of local assets towards the amount of surplus generated in the project. Government policies and the institutional structure of the country also affect ownership structure.

Keywords: Multinational enterprises, equity structure, restrictions, firm and country characteristics

JEL Classification: F23, O27, G32