U.S. FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT: INDUSTRIAL EXECUTIVES' PERCEPTIONS OF EMERGING CENTRAL AMERICAN COUNTRIES AS FDI DESTINATIONS

In this study, perceptual mapping was used to identify the collective and individual positions of ten emerging Central American countries with respect to their attractiveness potential for FDI. The perceived position of the “ideal” country also was captured in the study. FDI executives surveyed indicated that some of Central America's emerging countries have positioned themselves strategically in terms of the available market opportunities and advantageous business incentives. The stability of a country's economic and political systems contributes significantly to a country's perceived position. Some countries, such as Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua, appear better positioned to take advantage of their strengths, whereas others, such as Guyana, French Guyana, and Suriname, face significant obstacles.