Does FDI foster technological innovations? Empirical evidence from BRICS economies

PLoS One. 2023 Mar 9;18(3):e0282498. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0282498. eCollection 2023.

Abstract

The idea behind the spillover effect of FDI on economic growth is based on the idea that multinational companies can bring technological innovation and rich knowledge to host countries. Therefore, FDI plays a vital role in technological innovations. This study aims to investigate the impact of foreign direct investment (FDI) on the technological innovation of BRICS countries from 2000 to 2020. This study uses the latest econometric techniques, such as the cross-sectional dependence (CD) test, second-generation unit root tests, panel cointegration tests and the Dumitrescu-Hurlin causality test. For long-run run estimation, this study uses the augmented mean group (AMG) panel estimator and the common correlated effects mean group (CCEMG) estimator for empirical analysis. The findings of the study show that foreign direct investment (FDI), trade openness, economic growth, and research & development expenditure positively impact technological innovation in BRICS countries. Also, the model's long-term causality and lagged error correction term (ECT) are significantly negative. Suggested policy measures will be helpful for BRICS economies in boosting technology innovation through FDI.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Carbon Dioxide*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Economic Development
  • Inventions*
  • Investments

Substances

  • Carbon Dioxide

Grants and funding

This research was financially supported from Prince of Songkla University and Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation under the Reinventing University Project (Grant Number REV65008) The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.