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Enterprise Sustainability: Economic Policy Uncertainty, Enterprise Investment, and Profitability

Author

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  • Aijun Guo

    (School of Economics, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China)

  • Haiqi Wei

    (School of Economics, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China)

  • Fanglei Zhong

    (School of Economics, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China)

  • Shuangshuang Liu

    (School of Management, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China)

  • Chunlin Huang

    (Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China
    Key Laboratory of Remote Sensing of Gansu Province, Heihe Remote Sensing Experimental Research Station, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China)

Abstract

Under economic fluctuations, the sustainable development of enterprises is crucial. Currently, there are few studies on the interaction between economic policy uncertainty (EPU) and the sustainable development behavior of enterprises. Based on a panel vector autoregressive (PVAR) model, this paper explores the static and dynamic interactions among EPU, enterprise investment, and enterprise profitability and then analyzes regional heterogeneity in these factors. It finds that EPU has an inhibitory effect on the investment and profitability of enterprises, while the investment and profitability of enterprises also have an inhibitory effect on EPU. In addition, there are contribution differences and regional differences in the degrees of influence of the three factors. In the long run, EPU and the inhibition of enterprise investment and profitability are strongest in China’s central region. The results show that the stronger the certainty of economic policy, the more conducive this policy is to promoting enterprise investment behavior and improving enterprise profitability. Therefore, to ensure normal economic development, the government should limit changes in economic policy as much as possible; doing so is critical for promoting investment behavior and improving the profitability of enterprises.

Suggested Citation

  • Aijun Guo & Haiqi Wei & Fanglei Zhong & Shuangshuang Liu & Chunlin Huang, 2020. "Enterprise Sustainability: Economic Policy Uncertainty, Enterprise Investment, and Profitability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(9), pages 1-22, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:9:p:3735-:d:354092
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    Cited by:

    1. Ganwen Zheng & Songping Zhu, 2021. "Research on the Effectiveness of China’s Macro Control Policy on Output and Technological Progress under Economic Policy Uncertainty," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(12), pages 1-18, June.
    2. Carmen Orden‐Cruz & Jessica Paule‐Vianez & Júlio Lobão, 2023. "The effect of Economic Policy Uncertainty on the credit risk of US commercial banks," International Journal of Finance & Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 28(3), pages 3420-3436, July.
    3. Huafang Huang & Sharafat Ali & Yasir Ahmed Solangi, 2023. "Analysis of the Impact of Economic Policy Uncertainty on Environmental Sustainability in Developed and Developing Economies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-19, March.
    4. Xiahui Che & Minxing Jiang, 2021. "Economic Policy Uncertainty, Financial Expenditure and Energy Poverty: Evidence Based on a Panel Threshold Model," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(21), pages 1-12, October.
    5. Nataliya Rekova & Hanna Telnova & Oleh Kachur & Iryna Golubkova & Tomas Baležentis & Dalia Streimikiene, 2020. "Financial Sustainability Evaluation and Forecasting Using the Markov Chain: The Case of the Wine Business," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(15), pages 1-17, July.
    6. Xuan Yang & Shihao Mao & Luxuan Sun & Chao Feng & Yinshuang Xia, 2022. "The Effect of Economic Policy Uncertainty on Green Technology Innovation: Evidence from China’s Enterprises," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(18), pages 1-17, September.
    7. John Oliver, 2020. "The Economic Policy Uncertainty and Firm Investment in Germany," Journal of Accounting, Business and Finance Research, Scientific Publishing Institute, vol. 10(1), pages 34-41.

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