Main Article Content
Abstract
This study aims to analyze the effect of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) on economic growth by incorporating the mediating role of good governance. While FDI is widely regarded as a key driver of economic growth in developing countries, its effectiveness largely depends on the quality of institutions and governance frameworks. This study employs a quantitative approach using the Structural Equation Modeling–Partial Least Squares (SEM-PLS) method, based on Indonesia’s secondary data from 2002 to 2013, sourced from the World Development Indicators (WDI) and Worldwide Governance Indicators (WGI). Good governance is measured through six key dimensions: control of corruption, government effectiveness, political stability, rule of law, regulatory quality, and voice and accountability. The results indicate that FDI has a positive effect on good governance, and good governance significantly influences economic growth. In addition, FDI also exerts a direct effect on economic growth, although its magnitude is smaller than its indirect effect through governance. These findings suggest that good governance plays a crucial mediating role in strengthening the relationship between FDI and economic growth, while enhancing the effectiveness of foreign investment in improving productivity and economic capacity. This study contributes empirically by emphasizing the importance of institutional quality in maximizing the benefits of FDI. Policy implications highlight that improving governance quality particularly in regulatory frameworks, transparency, and law enforcement is essential for achieving inclusive and sustainable economic growth.
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References
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- Al-Thaqafi, M. (2022). The Role Of Governance In The Relationship Between Foreign Direct Investment And Economic Growth. Journal of Governance and Regulation, 11(1), 11–21. https://doi.org/10.22495/jgrv11i1art2
- Aloui, Z., et al. (2024). Does Governance Matter To Ensure Significant Effect Of Foreign Direct Investment On Poverty? Journal of Policy Modeling.
- Ameer, W., et al. (2025). Does Governance And Energy Spur FDI Inflows In Malaysia? Energy Economics.
- Beschel, R. P., Dyer, P., & Schaider, I. (2023). Voice, Accountability, And Economic Growth In The MENA Region. World Bank Policy Paper.
- Bhujabal, P., et al. (2024). Effect of institutional quality on FDI inflows in the South Asian context. PLOS ONE, 19(2).
- Borensztein, E., De Gregorio, J., & Lee, J. W. (1998). How Does Foreign Direct Investment Affect Economic Growth? Journal of International Economics, 45(1), 115–135. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0022-1996(97)00033-0
- Chizema, D. (2025). The Impact Of Foreign Direct Investment On Economic Development In South Asia And Southeast Asia. Economies, 13(6), 157. https://doi.org/10.3390/economies13060157
- Duguma, A. L., Bai, X., Wassihun, A. N., & Negeri, B. G. (2025). On The Mediating Effect Of Foreign Direct Investment In The Relationship Between Governance And Economic Growth: Evidence From Selected African Countries. Economics of Governance.
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- Globerman, S., & Shapiro, D. (2002). Global Foreign Direct Investment Flows: The Role Of Governance. The World Economy, 25(8), 1121–1140. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-9701.00478
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- Nzama, L., Sithole, T., & Kahyaoglu, S. B. (2023). The Impact Of Government Effectiveness On Trade And Financial Openness: The Generalized Quantile Panel Regression Approach. Journal of Risk and Financial Management, 16(1), 14. https://doi.org/10.3390/jrfm16010014
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- Pan, W., Wang, K., & Zhang, H. (2023). Political Stability And Economic Growth: A Re-Examination Using Dynamic Heterogeneous Panel Data. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 10, 321. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-023-01907-7
- Pusparani, A., & Fithri, P. N. (2024). The Role Of Good Governance On Foreign Direct Investment Inflows In ASEAN-5 Countries. Jurnal Ekonomi Pembangunan: Kajian Masalah Ekonomi dan Pembangunan, 25(1), 22–34. https://doi.org/10.23917/jep.v25i1.23358
- Qin, X., & Li, J. (2024). Short-Run and Long-Run Effects of Corruption on Economic Growth: Evidence From Balkan Countries. Economies, 12(4), 86. https://doi.org/10.3390/economies12040086
- World Bank. (2023). Foreign direct investment, regulations, and growth. World Bank Open Knowledge Repository.
- Yousaf, A., & Sadiq, R. (2024). The Moderating Effects of Environmental and Regulatory Quality on FDI Inflows: Evidence from Developed and Developing Economies. Journal of the Knowledge Economy, 15, 4569–4594. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13132-024-02040-6
- Zhu, X., Li, Y., & Kim, H. (2024). The Moderating Effects of Environmental and Regulatory Quality On FDI: Cross-Country Evidence. Discover Sustainability, 4, 104. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43621-024-00340-0
- Zribi, M., & Ayadi, R. (2022). The Impact of Voice & Accountability in the ESG Framework in a Global Perspective. Academy of Accounting and Financial Studies Journal, 26(Special Issue), 1–15.
References
Ahmed, Z., Hussain, Z., Qureshi, M. T., & Maqsood, A. (2022). Do Institutions Matter For Foreign Direct Investment And Economic Growth Nexus In Developing Countries? Journal of Economic Structures, 11(1), 1–19. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40008-022-00280-0
Al-Thaqafi, M. (2022). The Role Of Governance In The Relationship Between Foreign Direct Investment And Economic Growth. Journal of Governance and Regulation, 11(1), 11–21. https://doi.org/10.22495/jgrv11i1art2
Aloui, Z., et al. (2024). Does Governance Matter To Ensure Significant Effect Of Foreign Direct Investment On Poverty? Journal of Policy Modeling.
Ameer, W., et al. (2025). Does Governance And Energy Spur FDI Inflows In Malaysia? Energy Economics.
Beschel, R. P., Dyer, P., & Schaider, I. (2023). Voice, Accountability, And Economic Growth In The MENA Region. World Bank Policy Paper.
Bhujabal, P., et al. (2024). Effect of institutional quality on FDI inflows in the South Asian context. PLOS ONE, 19(2).
Borensztein, E., De Gregorio, J., & Lee, J. W. (1998). How Does Foreign Direct Investment Affect Economic Growth? Journal of International Economics, 45(1), 115–135. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0022-1996(97)00033-0
Chizema, D. (2025). The Impact Of Foreign Direct Investment On Economic Development In South Asia And Southeast Asia. Economies, 13(6), 157. https://doi.org/10.3390/economies13060157
Duguma, A. L., Bai, X., Wassihun, A. N., & Negeri, B. G. (2025). On The Mediating Effect Of Foreign Direct Investment In The Relationship Between Governance And Economic Growth: Evidence From Selected African Countries. Economics of Governance.
Goh, K. W., & Ooi, J. B. (2023). Foreign Direct Investment And Economic Growth Nexus: The Role Of Institutional Quality. International Journal of Finance & Economics, 28(2), 2244–2260. https://doi.org/10.1002/ijfe.2824
Globerman, S., & Shapiro, D. (2002). Global Foreign Direct Investment Flows: The Role Of Governance. The World Economy, 25(8), 1121–1140. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-9701.00478
Ibraimi, X., Ziberi, B. F., Ahmad, N., & Vveinhardt, J. (2025). Foreign Direct Investment Legislation And Economic Growth In Western Balkan Countries: A Panel Analysis. Technological and Economic Development of Economy, 31(3), 842–862. https://doi.org/10.3846/tede.2025.23132
Kaufmann, D., Kraay, A., & Mastruzzi, M. (2010). The Worldwide Governance Indicators: Methodology And Analytical Issues. World Bank Policy Research Working Paper No. 5430. https://doi.org/10.1596/1813-9450-5430
Khan, M. A., Chowdhury, M., Islam, M. R., & Akbar, S. (2024). The Impact Of Institutions On Economic Growth In Advanced Economies And In Latin America snd the Caribbean. Journal of Innovation & Knowledge. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jik.2024.100430
Musibau, H. O., & Babajide, A. A. (2023). Democracy, Political Stability and Economic Growth: A Panel Evidence. ADBU Journal of Engineering and Technology, 5(1), 92–99.
Nzama, L., Sithole, T., & Kahyaoglu, S. B. (2023). The Impact Of Government Effectiveness On Trade And Financial Openness: The Generalized Quantile Panel Regression Approach. Journal of Risk and Financial Management, 16(1), 14. https://doi.org/10.3390/jrfm16010014
Omri, A., & Chaibi, H. (2023). FDI, Human Capital And Economic Growth In Developing Countries: New Insights. Economic Modelling, 126, 106423. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.econmod.2023.106423
Pan, W., Wang, K., & Zhang, H. (2023). Political Stability And Economic Growth: A Re-Examination Using Dynamic Heterogeneous Panel Data. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 10, 321. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-023-01907-7
Pusparani, A., & Fithri, P. N. (2024). The Role Of Good Governance On Foreign Direct Investment Inflows In ASEAN-5 Countries. Jurnal Ekonomi Pembangunan: Kajian Masalah Ekonomi dan Pembangunan, 25(1), 22–34. https://doi.org/10.23917/jep.v25i1.23358
Qin, X., & Li, J. (2024). Short-Run and Long-Run Effects of Corruption on Economic Growth: Evidence From Balkan Countries. Economies, 12(4), 86. https://doi.org/10.3390/economies12040086
World Bank. (2023). Foreign direct investment, regulations, and growth. World Bank Open Knowledge Repository.
Yousaf, A., & Sadiq, R. (2024). The Moderating Effects of Environmental and Regulatory Quality on FDI Inflows: Evidence from Developed and Developing Economies. Journal of the Knowledge Economy, 15, 4569–4594. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13132-024-02040-6
Zhu, X., Li, Y., & Kim, H. (2024). The Moderating Effects of Environmental and Regulatory Quality On FDI: Cross-Country Evidence. Discover Sustainability, 4, 104. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43621-024-00340-0
Zribi, M., & Ayadi, R. (2022). The Impact of Voice & Accountability in the ESG Framework in a Global Perspective. Academy of Accounting and Financial Studies Journal, 26(Special Issue), 1–15.
