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Can privatization be a catalyst for environmental R&D and result in a cleaner environment?

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  • Tsai, Tsung-Hsiu
  • Wang, Chia-Chi
  • Chiou, Jiunn-Rong

Abstract

In this paper we explore whether privatization helps to catalyze a firm's environmental research and development (ER&D) and improve environmental quality. By defining ER&D as the effort undertaken by a firm to reduce its pollution per unit of output, we find in a duopoly framework that privatization cannot catalyze both public and private firms’ ER&D efforts simultaneously; it can increase one but decrease the other firm's investment, or it may even lower both firms’ ER&D investments. Moreover, when production causes severe environmental damage, or the imposition of environmental taxes poorly internalize the pollution externality, privatization may result in a poorer environment. For the sake of having a cleaner environment, policy-makers can impose higher environmental taxes on a highly polluting industry when it is being privatized.

Suggested Citation

  • Tsai, Tsung-Hsiu & Wang, Chia-Chi & Chiou, Jiunn-Rong, 2016. "Can privatization be a catalyst for environmental R&D and result in a cleaner environment?," Resource and Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 43(C), pages 1-13.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:resene:v:43:y:2016:i:c:p:1-13
    DOI: 10.1016/j.reseneeco.2015.10.002
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    3. Cheng, Fei & Chen, Tong & Chen, Qiao, 2022. "Cost-reducing strategy or emission-reducing strategy? The choice of low-carbon decisions under price threshold subsidy," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 157(C).
    4. Natasha Hazarika, 2021. "R&D Intensity and Its Curvilinear Relationship with Firm Profitability: Perspective from the Alternative Energy Sector," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-17, April.
    5. Chen, Hung-Yi & Yang, Ya-Po & Hu, Jin-Li, 2023. "Environmental taxes under mixed duopoly: The roles of privatization and foreign eco-technology," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 126(C).
    6. Arturo García & Mariel Leal & Sang-Ho Lee, 2019. "Endogenous Timing with a Socially Responsible Firm," Korean Economic Review, Korean Economic Association, vol. 35, pages 345-370.
    7. Yan, Yan & Li, Yi, 2023. "Regulation, external R&D, and strategic diffusion of pollution abatement technology," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 86(C), pages 731-744.
    8. Bian, Junsong & Zhang, Guoqing & Zhou, Guanghui, 2020. "Manufacturer vs. Consumer Subsidy with Green Technology Investment and Environmental Concern," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 287(3), pages 832-843.
    9. Bian, Junsong & Zhao, Xuan, 2020. "Tax or subsidy? An analysis of environmental policies in supply chains with retail competition," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 283(3), pages 901-914.
    10. Xing, Mingqing & Tan, Tingting & Wang, Xia, 2021. "Emission taxes and environmental R&D risk choices in a duopoly market," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 101(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Environmental R&D; Privatization; Mixed duopoly; Environmental taxes;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • Q52 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Pollution Control Adoption and Costs; Distributional Effects; Employment Effects
    • L33 - Industrial Organization - - Nonprofit Organizations and Public Enterprise - - - Comparison of Public and Private Enterprise and Nonprofit Institutions; Privatization; Contracting Out
    • Q55 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environmental Economics: Technological Innovation

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