PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to test the determinants of foreign direct investment (FDI) into countries of the Middle East North Africa (MENA) region.Design/methodology/approachThe research is based on an econometric model that includes factors that potentially drive FDI flows into countries in the MENA region.FindingsEnergy endowments have a negative impact on FDI flows into a country. GDP per capita, openness to trade and oil prices have a positive impact on FDI inflows, while aggregate measures of environmental risk are not a differentiating factor among countries in the region.Originality/valueThis paper demonstrates that the “Dutch disease” concept applies to FDI in resource rich countries in the MENA region. Countries with large amounts of oil and gas have are more likely to have policies and institutions that inhibit FDI. Countries that value the spillover effects from FDI need to reconsider legislative and institutional hurdles that remain.

Purpose This paper aims to synthesize, analyze and categorize the empirical literature on country-specific factors that affect foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows to the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Identifying gaps and methodological challenges in the reviewed articles, recommendations are made to guide future research. Design/methodology/approach Applying the systematic review methodology, content analysis is conducted of 42 relevant empirical studies that explore country-specific FDI determinants in the MENA region during the period 1998–2018. Findings This review study identifies four main research gaps in the extant literature: a lack of consensus on a common definition of the MENA region and a weak understanding of the specificities of its investment environment; a limited set of FDI theories used and a lack of other theoretical perspectives; a recurrent focus on the direct relationship between host country–specific determinants and FDI, thus ignoring the moderating and mediating effects of some variables; and the absence of certain country-specific factors pertaining to the MENA countries. Originality/value This study contributes to the international business field by enhancing our understanding of the FDI determinants in emerging and developing markets, especially the MENA countries. It develops a typology of FDI country-specific factors in the MENA region based on four main categories: macroeconomic and financial, institutional and regulatory, natural resource endowment and socio-cultural. Paths for future research are suggested.

Background. Despite the increasing use of business simulation games in management education little is known about their effectiveness as learning tools. Aim. The aims of this study were to assess the effectiveness of an international business simulation game in enhancing levels of student engagement. Methods. We investigated student engagement levels after using a simulation game, as measured through quantitative self-reports obtained through a survey among students. The results were compared to engagement levels experienced in more traditional classroom based case discussions with the same students in the same course. The study was carried out across six class sections taught by two professors over two semesters. Results. The results show that average student engagement levels were higher during the traditional case study class than during the class using the simulation game. The standard deviation of the reported levels of student engagement was higher for the simulation game than for the traditional class, indicating that student responses were more extreme (either positive or negative) for the class using the simulation game. Students who were generally more motivated to learn reported higher levels of engagement with the simulation, whereas students with low levels of motivation who found the game complex became less engaged. Conclusion. Simulation games are not always necessarily effective in enhancing engagement among all students. The choice between traditional and experiential learning methods may be partly determined on the basis of the level of student motivation and other student characteristics.

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Purpose -The purpose of this paper is to develop and test propositions on location and entry mode decision making by foreign direct investors in the Middle East region. Design/methodology/approach -Case study approach, based on in-depth interviews with decision makers of multinational companies operating in the Middle East. Findings -The results show that foreign investors in the Middle East prefer to maintain the highest level of ownership and control permitted in a country, even in the face of political risk. Originality/value -Location and entry mode decision making has typically been studied using quantitative methods. This research uses a case study approach and develops a new model of entry mode decision making, demonstrating that experienced foreign investors do not view joint ventures as an effective mechanism to manage political risk, but prefer to keep political risk management in-house.