The Demand-Side Politics of China’s Global Buying Spree: Individual Attitudes toward Chinese Inward FDI Flows in Comparative Perspective

Raess, Damian (March 2019). The Demand-Side Politics of China’s Global Buying Spree: Individual Attitudes toward Chinese Inward FDI Flows in Comparative Perspective (WTI Working Paper 02/2019). Bern: World Trade Institute, University of Bern

Preview

Text 2_2019_attitudes_towards_china_fdi.pdf - Published Version Available under License BORIS Standard License. Download (1MB) | Preview

I investigate public opinion toward Chinese FDI inflows in advanced economies, comparing attitudes toward such investment with attitudes toward American and European FDI inflows. Specifically, I probe whether the threats of technology transfer and of social dumping associated with Chinese FDI resonate among the key target audiences. First, I expect managers to oppose Chinese FDI, while I do not expect similar opposition to American or European FDI. Second, I expect union members to oppose Chinese FDI, and to support European FDI more than they do American and, especially, Chinese FDI. Using original survey data from Switzerland, I find strong support for the expectations regarding managers. Surprisingly, union members do not oppose Chinese FDI, but they support European and to a lesser extent American FDI. The findings point to occupational characteristics and unions as key factors shaping FDI preferences, and suggest that the demand-side politics of Chinese inward FDI is unique.

Interest & Impact

Downloads

128 since deposited on 13 Mar 2019
26 in the past 12 months

Citations

5 Citations in Web of Science ®
6 Citations in Scopus

Search

in Google Scholar™

Services

Actions (login required)

Edit item

Actions (login required)

Edit item