Vol. 36 (2026): Volumen 36
Artículos de investigación

Subnational determinants of foreign direct investment in the context of nearshoring: the comparative case of Sonora and the leading states of Mexico

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  • JORGE INES LEÓN BALDERRAMA
JORGE INES LEÓN BALDERRAMA Centro de Investigación en Alimentación y Desarrollo A.C. (CIAD)

Published 2026-05-20

Copyright (c) 2026 Jorge Inés León Balderrama

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

LEÓN BALDERRAMA, J. I. (2026). Subnational determinants of foreign direct investment in the context of nearshoring: the comparative case of Sonora and the leading states of Mexico. Acta Universitaria, 36, 1-19. https://doi.org/10.15174/au.2026.4710

Abstract

Nearshoring has altered the recent geography of foreign direct investment (FDI) in Mexico, accentuating regional disparities. This article comparatively analyzes the structural conditions that determine the capacity of the state of Sonora to attract nearshoring-related FDI, contrasting them with the country's leading states. It employs a qualitative comparative analysis (QCA) approach based on six dimensions: infrastructure, human capital, clusters, governance, security, and investment performance. The study hypothesizes that Sonora's border location does not constitute a structural advantage due to shortcomings in logistics, technical training, and institutional coordination. Results confirm that attracting FDI depends on complex territorial configurations, where the interaction between infrastructure, talent, and governance is crucial. The study offers a territorial perspective on nearshoring and a replicable framework for strengthening subnational competitiveness in Latin America.

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