FDI spillovers in China: why do the research findings differ so much?

This paper investigates a large body of research for the purpose of sorting out the variety of data-sets, research methods, and findings that have emerged over the past decade concerning FDI productivity spillovers in Chinese industry. The review includes 16 papers, which together represent a striking range of data-sets, models, econometric strategies, and research results. After reviewing six dimensions of comparisons of the literature, the paper seeks to identify the common findings, explain why the differences are so extensive, and identify a set of guidelines for framing future research in this field.