Does going abroad lead to going green? Firm outward foreign direct investment and domestic environmental performance. (31st May 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Long, Wenbin; Luo, Le; Sun, Hongfeng; Zhong, Qiqi
• Is Part Of: Business strategy and the environment. Volume 32:Number 1(2023)
• Page Start: 484
• Page End: 498
• Publication Date: 2022-05-31
• Subjects: domestic environmental performance -- emerging markets -- firm outward foreign direct investment -- resource crowding -- reverse knowledge transfer; Industrial management -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Industries -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; 658.4083
• DOI: 10.1002/bse.3156
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0964-4733

Abstract

Abstract: This study examines whether and how outward foreign direct investment (OFDI) affects firms' domestic environmental performance. We use both the reverse knowledge transfer and resource crowding perspectives to predict the association. Using a sample of Chinese firms, we find that firms' environmental performance improves after the initiation of OFDI, which is consistent with the reverse knowledge transfer perspective. Furthermore, we find that when the host countries of OFDI are developed countries, have stricter environmental regulations, and are characterized by higher values for the long‐term orientation and masculinity dimensions of national culture, firms enjoy a further improvement in environmental performance. Our channel tests show that firms' domestic green patent applications and their investment in research and development increase after the initiation of OFDI.