The role of twin skills in attracting FDI: evidence from European regions

Abstract By integrating the literature on twin transition with an international business perspective, this paper assesses whether the regional endowment of green, digital and twin occupations in EU regions can act as a pull factor for inward foreign direct investment (FDI). We explore green, digital and twin skills per se as well as the role of their respective enabling (complementary) skills. We find a positive link of enabling skills on inward FDI, while focused digital and twin skills are generally not related to a higher level of FDI attractiveness. A high regional endowment of green skills may even have detrimental effects under specific circumstances. Our evidence paves the way for policies reinforcing locations with occupational complementarities between green, digital and twin competences in order to foster regional participation in global dynamics and favouring the twin transition.