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Political Corruption and Firm Value in the U.S.: Do Rents and Monitoring Matter?

Author

Listed:
  • Nerissa C. Brown

    (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign)

  • Jared D. Smith

    (North Carolina State University)

  • Roger M. White

    (Arizona State University)

  • Chad J. Zutter

    (University of Pittsburgh)

Abstract

Political corruption imposes substantial costs on shareholders in the U.S. Yet, we understand little about the basic factors that exacerbate or mitigate the value consequences of political corruption. Using federal corruption convictions data, we find that firm-level economic rents and monitoring mechanisms moderate the negative relation between corruption and firm value. The value consequences of political corruption are exacerbated for firms operating in low-rent product markets and mitigated for firms subject to external monitoring by state governments or monitoring induced by disclosure transparency. Our results should inform managers and policymakers of the tradeoffs imposed on firms operating in politically corrupt districts.

Suggested Citation

  • Nerissa C. Brown & Jared D. Smith & Roger M. White & Chad J. Zutter, 2021. "Political Corruption and Firm Value in the U.S.: Do Rents and Monitoring Matter?," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 168(2), pages 335-351, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jbuset:v:168:y:2021:i:2:d:10.1007_s10551-019-04181-0
    DOI: 10.1007/s10551-019-04181-0
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    4. Lingyun Xiong & Lijuan Xiao & Min Bai & Yafeng Qin & Lijuan Yang, 2023. "The religion effect on corporate cash holding in China: Buddhism and Taoism," International Journal of Finance & Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 28(4), pages 4420-4457, October.
    5. Rashedul Hasan & Muhammad Ashfaq, 2021. "Corruption and its diverse effect on credit risk: global evidence," Future Business Journal, Springer, vol. 7(1), pages 1-13, December.
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    7. Ahsan Habib & Mabel D' Costa & Ahmed Khamis Al‐Hadi, 2023. "Consequences of local social norms: A review of the literature in accounting, finance, and corporate governance," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 63(1), pages 3-45, March.
    8. Du, Qingjie & Heo, Yuna, 2022. "Political corruption, Dodd–Frank whistleblowing, and corporate investment," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 73(C).
    9. Hasan, Mostafa Monzur & Hossain, Ashrafee & Hossain, Takdir, 2023. "CEO inside debt holdings and credit ratings," Journal of Contemporary Accounting and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 19(1).
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