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Recovery and exit of zombie firms in Portugal: A remake

Author

Listed:
  • Carlos Carreira
  • Paulino Teixeira
  • Ernesto Nieto-Carrillo

Abstract

Encouraged by the forbearance of creditors and exit barriers (e.g., inefficient insolvency regimes), the zombie phenomenon has weakened business dynamism and, as a consequence, has slowed economic growth in most economies in recent decades. In this paper, we examine the recovery and exit of zombie firms, as well as the determinants of these transitions. Based on a panel of Portuguese firms' population covering the period 2004-2020, we find a widespread prevalence of zombie firms, which are relatively less productive than non-zombies. Moreover, industries with a higher share of zombies have lower productivity levels. Finally, we find that the probability of transition into recovery and exit is relatively small. However, operational and technological restructuring, as well as financial restructuring, are shown to be key drivers of zombie firms' recovery. The insolvency environment is also found to be a strong factor in stimulating business restructuring.

Suggested Citation

  • Carlos Carreira & Paulino Teixeira & Ernesto Nieto-Carrillo, 2023. "Recovery and exit of zombie firms in Portugal: A remake," Aussenwirtschaft, University of St. Gallen, School of Economics and Political Science, Swiss Institute for International Economics and Applied Economics Research, vol. 73(01), pages 91-108, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:usg:auswrt:2023:73:01:91-108
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Nieto-Carrillo, Ernesto & Carreira, Carlos & Teixeira, Paulino, 2022. "Giving zombie firms a second chance: An assessment of the reform of the Portuguese insolvency framework," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 76(C), pages 156-181.
    2. Ana Fontoura Gouveia & Christian Osterhold, 2018. "Fear the walking dead: Zombie firms, spillovers and exit barriers," OECD Productivity Working Papers 13, OECD Publishing.
    3. Viral V Acharya & Tim Eisert & Christian Eufinger & Christian Hirsch, 2019. "Whatever It Takes: The Real Effects of Unconventional Monetary Policy," The Review of Financial Studies, Society for Financial Studies, vol. 32(9), pages 3366-3411.
    4. Fabiano Schivardi & Enrico Sette & Guido Tabellini, 2022. "Credit Misallocation During the European Financial Crisis," The Economic Journal, Royal Economic Society, vol. 132(641), pages 391-423.
    5. Dan Andrews & Filippos Petroulakis, 2017. "Breaking the Shackles: Zombie Firms, Weak Banks and Depressed Restructuring in Europe," OECD Economics Department Working Papers 1433, OECD Publishing.
    6. Joe Peek & Eric S. Rosengren, 2005. "Unnatural Selection: Perverse Incentives and the Misallocation of Credit in Japan," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 95(4), pages 1144-1166, September.
    7. Carlos Carreira & Joana Lopes, 2022. "The Role of Different Types of Creditors on Zombie Firm Creation," Notas Económicas, Faculty of Economics, University of Coimbra, issue 55, pages 131-142, December.
    8. Christian Osterhold, 2018. "Fear the walking dead: zombie firms, spillovers and exit barriers," Working Papers w201811, Banco de Portugal, Economics and Research Department.
    9. Decker, Ryan A. & Haltiwanger, John & Jarmin, Ron S. & Miranda, Javier, 2016. "Where has all the skewness gone? The decline in high-growth (young) firms in the U.S," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 86(C), pages 4-23.
    10. Storz, Manuela & Koetter, Michael & Setzer, Ralph & Westphal, Andreas, 2017. "Do we want these two to tango? On zombie firms and stressed banks in Europe," Working Paper Series 2104, European Central Bank.
    11. James Levinsohn & Amil Petrin, 2003. "Estimating Production Functions Using Inputs to Control for Unobservables," The Review of Economic Studies, Review of Economic Studies Ltd, vol. 70(2), pages 317-341.
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    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    zombie firms; exit; recovery; restructuring; downsizing;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D24 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Production; Cost; Capital; Capital, Total Factor, and Multifactor Productivity; Capacity
    • G32 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Financing Policy; Financial Risk and Risk Management; Capital and Ownership Structure; Value of Firms; Goodwill
    • G33 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Bankruptcy; Liquidation
    • L25 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Firm Performance
    • O47 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity - - - Empirical Studies of Economic Growth; Aggregate Productivity; Cross-Country Output Convergence

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