The dark side of informal institutions: How crime, corruption, and informality influence foreign firms' commitment

Research Summary

This study focuses on three prevalent societal issues—crime, corruption, and informal sector—that constitute the dark side of informal institutions in developing countries. We argue that the dark side of informal institutions has the potential to impede foreign firms' desire and ability to commit to the host countries. The effects of these three forms on foreign firms differ depending on the type of local commitment. Analyzing the World Bank data of foreign firms in 36 developing countries, we find that (a) host country corruption is stronger in deterring foreign firms' long-term investment, (b) host country informality is stronger in obstructing foreign firms' innovation output, and (c) host country crime is stronger in undermining foreign firms' production capacity utilization. Our analysis also shows that host country's efficient regulatory institutions and foreign firms' non-market-seeking motive are two important countervailing forces that attenuate the negative effects of the dark side of informal institutions.

Managerial Summary

Foreign firms investing in developing countries need to deal with some illegal yet widespread practices in these countries. Specifically, crime, corruption, and informal sector represent the most prevalent and important societal issues that exert informal constraints on foreign firms. This study examines how the negative informal institutions influence foreign firms. Our cross-country analysis using the World Bank data shows that, among the three negative informal institutions, corruption has a stronger effect in deterring foreign firms' investment commitment, informal sector has a stronger effect in obstructing foreign firms' innovation commitment, and crime has a stronger effect in undermining foreign firms' production commitment. Moreover, these negative effects will be alleviated when the developing country has efficient regulatory institutions or when the foreign firm has a low market dependence on the developing country. Our findings provide implications for managers of multinational enterprises (MNEs) investing in developing countries and offer suggestions for policymakers on how to improve the institutional environment for foreign investment.