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Where does privatization work? Understanding the heterogeneity in estimated firm performance effects

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  • Brown, David J.
  • Earle, John S.
  • Telegdy, Almos

Abstract

Why do the reported effects of privatization on firm performance vary so much? This paper provides new estimates of these effects and tests potential explanations for heterogeneity using comprehensive, long-panel data for 70,000 firms in five East European economies. We estimate that privatization raises measures of profitability, productivity, and growth by about 5–12% on average, but with substantial variation across countries and time periods. Analyzing heterogeneity in privatization effectiveness, we find little systematic role for firm size, financial dependence, exchange listing, or technological complexity, but important variation by fraction privatized, ownership concentration, firm quality, and the macroeconomic and institutional environment.

Suggested Citation

  • Brown, David J. & Earle, John S. & Telegdy, Almos, 2016. "Where does privatization work? Understanding the heterogeneity in estimated firm performance effects," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 41(C), pages 329-362.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:corfin:v:41:y:2016:i:c:p:329-362
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jcorpfin.2016.10.001
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    3. J. David Brown & Emin Dinlersoz & John S. Earle, 2016. "Does Higher Productivity Dispersion Imply Greater Misallocation?A Theoretical and Empirical Analysis," Working Papers 16-42, Center for Economic Studies, U.S. Census Bureau.
    4. Nasirzadeh, Hossein & Amin-Tahmasbi, Hamzeh & Amoozad Khalili, Hossein, 2021. "Investment analysis in privatization of National Iranian Drilling Company using systems dynamics and BWM technique," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 148(PB).
    5. Quang Minh Nguyen, 2023. "Impact of privatization on firm performance in Vietnam: A Staggered Difference-in-Differences analysis with heterogeneous treatment effects," Documentos de Trabajo EH-Valencia (DT-EHV) 2303, Economic History group at the Universitat de Valencia.
    6. Walheer, Barnabé & He, Ming, 2020. "Technical efficiency and technology gap of the manufacturing industry in China: Does firm ownership matter?," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 127(C).
    7. Huang, Ke & Zhu, Ying, 2022. "China’s secondary privatization and corporate investment efficiency," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 61(C).
    8. Huang, Hongyun & Mo, Renbian & Chen, Xingquan, 2021. "New patterns in China's regional green development: An interval Malmquist–Luenberger productivity analysis," Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, Elsevier, vol. 58(C), pages 161-173.
    9. A.M. Chernopiatov & L.A. Akhmetov & D.M. Djuraev, 2018. "Peculiarities Of State Property In The Economy Of Russia," Regional and Sectoral Economic Studies, Euro-American Association of Economic Development, vol. 18(2), pages 43-52.
    10. Dominika Gajdosikova & Katarina Valaskova & Tomas Kliestik & Maria Kovacova, 2023. "Research on Corporate Indebtedness Determinants: A Case Study of Visegrad Group Countries," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 11(2), pages 1-30, January.
    11. Restrepo-Ochoa, Diana Constanza & Peña, Juan Ignacio, 2020. "The impact of forced divestments on parent company stock prices: Buy on the rumor, sell on the news?," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 53(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Privatization methods; Corporate governance; Ownership structure; Business environment; Firm performance;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G32 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Financing Policy; Financial Risk and Risk Management; Capital and Ownership Structure; Value of Firms; Goodwill
    • G34 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Mergers; Acquisitions; Restructuring; Corporate Governance
    • L25 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Firm Performance
    • L33 - Industrial Organization - - Nonprofit Organizations and Public Enterprise - - - Comparison of Public and Private Enterprise and Nonprofit Institutions; Privatization; Contracting Out
    • P31 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Socialist Institutions and Their Transitions - - - Socialist Enterprises and Their Transitions

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