Les investissements directs internationaux dans les régions Françaises. Examen des disparités et des effets régionaux

This paper gives the reasons for a regional approach of the IDI (International Direct Investments) and is based on an empirical analysis on the level of French regions over the period 1989-98. The results obtained suggest against any waiting the contribution of the IDI to the rebalancing of the regional disparities as regards employment. In particular, the IDI, by their support for regional industrial employment, contribute in a significant way to the reduction of the interregional disparities. Our analysis also enriches the reflection by showing the influence of regional determinants on flows of IDI as well as the importance of regional policies of development initiated by the local actors. The econometric estimation of an error component model shows that the regional dynamics of domestic investment constitutes a significant factor in attracting IDI and the regional specific effects play a significant role to capture the flows of foreign investment. Classification JEL : C23, F21, R00.<np pagenum="417"/>