FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT AND/OR INSTITUTIONS IN THE GROWTH FUNCTION OF THE WESTERN BALKANS: EXPECT THE (UN)EXPECTED

The economic literature is rich in papers analyzing the effects of FDI inflows or the impact of institutional quality on economic activity. The same is not true for analyzing the impact of institutional quality on FDI attraction and/or the joint impact of these two factors on economic growth, especially concerning the Western Balkans region. Our analysis covers five countries in this region over the period from 2007 to 2022 and aims to contribute to the relevant literature in that segment. The panel data were modelled using the GLS method. The result of the final model (out of the three evaluated) indicates an (un)expected positive effect of a lower institutional quality on economic activity through the FDI channel. One possible explanation for this finding is the hypothesis that “weaker” legislation (especially in the environmental field) in the Western Balkan countries attracts precisely the FDI that generates negative externalities in addition to economic growth. Nevertheless, it also suggests the necessity for considering the long-term risks associated with economic growth, relying predominantly on this type of FDI.