FDI and Economic Growth : A study of 7 transition economies of the CEE and the Baltic states

This thesis analyses the effect of FDI induced technology transfer and spillover on economic growth in the CEE countries and the Baltic States. We develop a framework were FDI and R&D are seen as sources of technological progress (A). Transition economies, due to the need to catch up quickly with more advanced economies, rely on FDI as a major channel through which they can tap the needed technology. Whether or not technology spills over to the entire economy depends on the ability of the countries to diffuse the advanced technology transferred by FDI. We test using panel data analysis, if FDI alone can spur growth or whether the FDI induced technology spillover effect is enhanced by the level of R&D. Empirical evidence is found that FDI and R&D as an interaction term have helped the CEE countries and the Baltic States to accelerate growth by modernizing the economy through an upgrading process