Fredrik Sjöholm started the discussion by noting that descriptions of foreign direct investment (FDI) are often centered on the theoretical OLI framework, which describes the incentives for FDI as stemming from ownership advantages (O), location advantages (L), or internalization advantages (I). In this setting, he asked whether the OLI factors could be combined to develop aggregate FDI predictions at the country level. Next, he noted that the competence of India's skilled labor pool supports India's outward FDI at the same time that this competence acts as a draw for inward FDI activities as well. Since the simultaneity of these outward and inward activities is unusual in the global context, Sjöholm asked how policymakers and researchers should think about this phenomenon.
Because the presentation highlighted the weak performance of India's manufacturing sector, Dick Durevall asked whether the foreign acquisition of knowledge assets by India's firms might have a longer-term effect on...