In the article, we attempt to assess the investment attractiveness of the New EU Member States, using the Visegrad Group countries as examples. This study is structured as follows: First, it explores the existing literature on factors of investment attractiveness. Further we examine inward foreign direct investment flows in the Visegrad Group countries against the global performance in the area from 1990 to 2013. Next we discuss the investment attractiveness of New Member States of the European Union in selected international rankings, paying special attention to the positions occupied by the four analysed countries. The final part examines the correlation between selected variables characteristic of investment attractiveness and the inflow of foreign investment. The study is based on statistical methods (Spearman’s rank correlation and Pearson correlation). At the end we present our conclusions.

To verify the quality of institutional environment and its role in attracting foreign direct investment (FDI). The article attempts to provide a quantitative description of the impact of institutional quality (IQ) on FDI inflow to 17 countries of Central and Eastern Europe (CEECs) in 2007-2017. Research Design & Methods: Firstly, we reviewed studies dedicated to the relationship between institutional operations and investment attractiveness. Then, we selected 17 CEECs and ranked them for the value of FDI in absolute terms and as a share of GDP. The third stage focused on building an original set of indicators. We used selected categories of Global Competitiveness Index (GCI). Based on rankings, in the fifth stage, we divided 17 CEECs into groups representing similar IQ using hierarchical cluster analysis. The final stage consisted in examining the impact of IQ on the inflow of FDI within a selected group of countries by estimating dynamic panel data models. Findings:The study demonstrated that CEECs differ with respect to IQ; an aspect that exerts a statistically significant impact on FDI inward stock as % of GDP. Implications & Recommendations:The study has implications for research and practice. The results may be interesting for policymakers and may have an application value for institutions. An efficient and effective institutional system may importantly contribute to the boosting of investment attractiveness of countries and impact FDI flows. Contribution & Value Added: The article sheds more light on the discussion about the relevance of IQ as a factor determining FDI inflow. The added value of this article consists in grouping 17 CEECs based on their similarity with respect to IQ and demonstrating that it impacts the size of FDI inflow. We proposed an original set of indicators for these countries that help in identifying their IQ. Article type:research article

No abstract

No abstract

The issue of how to stimulate economic growth and development remains an open question. The EU structural funds are meant to help solve the problem at the regional level within the framework of the cohesion policy. Only some of these funds are used to directly subsidize businesses that are the engines of growth in a market economy. This paper aims to evaluate whether structural funds have played a positive and significant role in the development of enterprises in a region which does not belong to the economic leaders in Poland. It is based on the results of a direct study, statistical data and evaluation reports, as well as on the economic literature. The direct study was conducted in 2011. It focused on micro-economic projects supported by EU funds in the Lodz region. Interviews were conducted with representatives of 80 enterprises, which had completed at least one such a project. We conclude that the subsidies from structural funds have positively stimulated the modernization of the companies, albeit on a limited scale.