Outsourcing vs FDI in oligopoly equilibrium

Dermot Leahy, Catia Montagna

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    8 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    We consider the make-or-buy decision of oligopolistic firms in an industry in which final good production requires specialised inputs. Factor price considerations dictate that firms acquire the intermediate abroad, by either producing it in a wholly owned subsidiary or outsourcing it to a supplier who must make a relationship specific investment. Firms’ internationalisation mode depends on cost and strategic considerations. Crucially, asymmetric equilibria emerge, with firms choosing different modes of internationalisation, even when they are ex-ante identical. With ex-ante asymmetries, lower cost producers have a stronger incentive to vertically integrate(FDI), while higher cost firms are more likely to outsource.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)149-166
    Number of pages18
    JournalSpatial Economic Analysis
    Volume4
    Issue number2
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2009

    Keywords

    • Outsourcing
    • Foreign direct investment
    • Trade liberalisation
    • Oligopoly

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Outsourcing vs FDI in oligopoly equilibrium'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this