Firm heterogeneity and development: A meta-analysis of FDI productivity spillovers

We analyse the rich literature on FDI spillovers analysing econometric studies published over 1983–2010 and dealing with national studies in 30 developing countries and emerging markets. We find that these studies ignore two sources of heterogeneity: exports and – especially – R&D. Our meta-analysis corrects for differences in research design (including regional effects, sample size and level of aggregation). We observe positive and significant effects for heterogeneity in terms of labour quality, size and export. This robustness contrasts with contradictory findings for foreign ownership where 63% of the coefficients are insignificant or negative.