Productivity Spillovers and Multinational Enterprises: in Search of a Spatial Dimension

In this paper we analyse whether and to what extent MNEs can generate positive externalities for the host economies by allowing for spatial dependence patterns in TFP growth rates at sectoral and regional level. In order to achieve this research objective we use spatial econometric techniques, which allow us to identify not only the type of spatial dependence governing this phenomenon and to estimate it consistently, but also clusters and other “anomalies” in the patterns of productivity spillovers. There has been, at least in our knowledge, no spatial econometric study on the impact of MNEs on aggregate TFP; therefore, we aim at filling this gap. We found evidence of positive spillovers from MNEs operating in the region, and negative spillovers from MNEs outside the region. The latter are however limited to specific groups of regions, such as the capital regions and regions bordering with former EU-15 countries. Therefore, we can conclude that there seems to be a regional channel for FDI spillovers.