Does market characteristic determine foreign direct investment spillovers?

This study examines the significance of foreign direct investment (FDI) and market characteristics both within and across industries in determining the productivity and efficiency of firms. This study also measures the total factor productivity (TFP) growth and its components for both foreign and domestic firms. Using Indonesian annual medium and large manufacturing establishments surveys, wholesale price index, and input-output (I-O) table, the authors calculate the horizontal and vertical spillovers and undertake stochastic frontier analysis to estimate the production and inefficiency function. The results show that the less concentrated market of domestic firms within the industry and suppliers reduces productivity and efficiency, while domestic buyers’ less concentrated markets could have the opposite effect. Most domestic and foreign firms still experience deterioration in TFP growth. The policy recommendation is to encourage firms to improve technological progress, such as upgrading machines and investing in human resources, by providing training workers aiming at mastering better managerial expertise. Policymakers should also ensure that the benefits of FDI spillovers outweigh their disadvantages.