The fall of communism and subsequent developments have put a renewed spotlight on the potential of the Balkan economies. Bulgaria, Albania, Serbia & Montenegro, Romania and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia are countries which have attracted low levels of investment and poor political leadership in most of the countries has delayed much needed reforms. However, there are now signs of improvement and this timely book fills a significant gap in the available literature. Demonstrating that these countries must engage as fully as possible with the world economy via EU accession, this book explores the implications of the specific characteristics of these countries which have made the transition process more difficult. This exciting new volume is valuable reading for students, academics and business professionals interested in international development in the Balkans.

FDI has played a strong role in the export-led growth of eastern European countries that are now members of the European Union (EU). Largely sourced from advanced Europe, FDI inflows were motivated by the intention to pursue new markets and cost efficiency. Over time, foreign investment has restructured the exports sector in these countries in favor of products that are considered more technology-intensive. As these countries face skills shortage and rising wages, what is needed for FDI to continue playing a strong role? Can the Western Balkan countries, who are not yet EU members and have in recent years stepped up financial incentives and policy initiatives to court investors, emulate the experience? This paper takes stock of the FDI experience of both these groups and tries to estimate their potential gains from additional policy efforts.

T​his edited volume offers a descriptive analysis of foreign direct investment (FDI) flows and cumulative stock, industrial composition, and important spatial trends for each successor state of former Yugoslavia: Bosnia & Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Slovenia. The chapters are written by academic experts on the topic from each of these countries and are organised systematically in order to facilitate comparison between the states. The aim of this book is to advance scholarly knowledge about FDI in Southeastern Europe 25 years after the dissolution of Yugoslavia. Each chapter includes a summary of scholarly contributions published on the topic in English-language and local language journals, a discussion of origins, composition by industry, and location choice within the country from 1995-2018, using Dunning's (1980) eclectic paradigm as a discussion framework. The chapters conclude with prospects for FDI over the next twenty-five years with emphasis on economic growth projections, EU integration, and other relevant country-specific considerations the local authors deem relevant. Special attention is given to specific companies operating in Yugoslavia prior to its breakup and how these firms have been impacted by dissolution, recession, efforts toward European Union membership. The authors also examine the past and potential impact of FDI from unforeseen events such as the Global Financial Crisis and COVID-19. This book appeals to scholars of geography, international business, economics, and economic history of the former Yugoslavia as well as professionals working in the region and on related topics elsewhere.

Countries create different type of incentives for foreign firms, such as; direct incentives/subsidies, tax relief, soft loans and preferred handling. This volume aims to analyze the impact of European Union on inward foreign direct investment in Europe and to discuss what type of effects are being created by this race for FDI.

This book provides a detailed examination of foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) after closer integration in the European Union. An important facet of European economic integration was the development of a free-trade area in Central and Eastern Europe, which improved market accessibility. However, to date these relations have been little explored theoretically. The book examines foreign investments in different transition countries from both a theoretical and an empirical perspective. It analyzes changes in the choice of location by foreign investors in nineteen CEE countries between 1992 and 2015, and shows that it is linked to the removal of intra-regional trade barriers. The findings suggest that regional integration increases the incentives for multinationals to invest in the participating countries, especially in those with larger markets and lower production costs.

This contributed volume provides theoretical and empirical insights into a variety of contemporary issues about inequality, geography, and global value chains in today’s world, where global disruptions are prevalent, globalization is being transformed, and multinational enterprises (MNEs) are under pressure to promote sustainability. Many challenges and tensions created by growing inequality within and between countries, cities, and individuals, coupled with recent disruptions in the global economy, beg important questions regarding the role of MNEs. A valuable resource for scholars and students in international business, the book provides a richer understanding of how MNE activities are being affected by the complex dynamics of the modern global business environment and discusses what strategies they need to implement in order to adapt to a changing world, while accounting for the interests of a broader range of stakeholders.

This edited volume brings together original scientific studies on current economic and developmental issues in the Balkan region, and is composed of papers by 25 authors from seven different countries. The Balkan region has gained significant interest in recent years due to its location and strategic position, representing a doorway to Europe, and the region’s stability and progress have direct consequences on various European countries. Because of this strategic position, there is currently much debate regarding a potential partnership of the Balkan states with the European Union. This book offers insights into the current economic and developmental status of the countries in this region, offering a series of chapters that analyse the area from a variety of perspectives. It begins with a discussion on the recent history of the region, especially with reference to the former Yugoslavia and its break-up after the turbulence experienced in 1990s. Other sections are complementary to each other in that they offer comparisons of the Balkan states in their economic progress at the micro and macro levels. Topics such as European integration policies and effects, economic transition, regional trade, tax incentive policy, regional capital markets, regional development agencies and systems, remittances and foreign aid contributions, import-export policies, fiscal policies, analysis of regional microfinance, and the tourism sectors are explored in detail throughout the book.

The aim of this book is to highlight the relationship between the EU and the Western Balkan countries in light of their EU membership perspective and the impact that the EU Enlargement of Central and Eastern European countries at the beginning of the twenty first century has given to the Western Balkans. The book presents, in depth, the dual relationship between the EU and the Western Balkans. On the one hand it displays the continuous EU role in the Western Balkans, in particular in issues such as: the EU accession criteria; the EU approach and enlargement strategy; the visa liberalization process; the Stabilization and Association Process; the Stabilization and Association Agreements; instruments of financial assistance; the EU role in restoring and keeping peace and stability and in increasing the regional cooperation among the Western Balkans countries. On the other hand, it presents and analyses the progress the Western Balkans have achieved and the challenges faced such as: initially with the implementation of the bilateral Free Trade Agreements and then the regional Free Trade Agreement and the Stabilization and Association Agreements; nature and effects of these agreements in developing markets, in increasing trade exchanges among the Western Balkans countries; the progress each country has made toward lasting growth and in fulfilling the criteria of the EU integration process. The book reflects the regional approach of EU towards those countries while differentiating the individual progress in each country. This gives the book an interdisciplinary character. The latest enlargement experiences of the EU are used as a comparison for the current EU policy towards Western Balkans, while confirming a clear integration perspective for the region.

The fall of communism and subsequent developments have put a renewed spotlight on the potential of the Balkan economies. This timely book fills a significant gap in the available literature and is valuable reading for students, academics and business professionals interested in international development in the Balkans.

This book discusses the unprecedented impact of the financial and economic crisis on government finances and economic performance across Europe, which has raised skepticism on the ability of the current course of integration to promote prosperity. Correspondingly, the European Union is about to contract for the first time in its history. This timely book covers the economic issues that challenge the future of integration in Europe. The chapters are authored by international experts and examine current and emerging challenges and trends for the European Union: economic convergence, monetary policy, competition law, transport policy, the informal sector, employment, recovery and enlargement. Four chapters focus on Greece, which has been the greatest challenge faced by European institutions in the context of the sovereign debt crisis, and one chapter discusses the possible costs of Brexit. The reader will benefit from understanding the key economic challenges, which, if effectively addressed, will lead to deepening the union, or in contrast to a multi-speed Europe.