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Regulating Conglomerates in China: Evidence from an Energy Conservation Program

Author

Listed:
  • Qiaoyi Chen
  • Zhao Chen
  • Zhikuo Liu
  • Juan Carlos Suárez Serrato
  • Daniel Xu

Abstract

We study a prominent energy regulation affecting large Chinese manufacturers that are part of broader conglomerates. Using detailed firm-level data and difference-in-differences research designs, we show that regulated firms cut output and shifted production to unregulated firms in the same conglomerate instead of improving their energy efficiency. Conglomerate spillovers account for 40% of the output loss of regulated firms and substantially reduce aggregate energy savings. Using a structural model, we show that alternative polices that use public information on business networks could lower the shadow cost of the regulation by more than 40% and increase aggregate energy savings by 10%.

Suggested Citation

  • Qiaoyi Chen & Zhao Chen & Zhikuo Liu & Juan Carlos Suárez Serrato & Daniel Xu, 2021. "Regulating Conglomerates in China: Evidence from an Energy Conservation Program," NBER Working Papers 29066, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:29066
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Xi, Xican, 2023. "Multi-establishment firms, misallocation, and productivity," Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control, Elsevier, vol. 154(C).
    2. Chen, Tianqi & Zhang, Yi & Jiang, Cailou & Li, Hui, 2023. "How does energy efficiency affect employment? Evidence from Chinese cities," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 280(C).
    3. Lu & Pollitt, M. G. & Wang, K. & Wei, Y-M., 2023. "The Incremental Impact of China's Carbon," Cambridge Working Papers in Economics 2349, Faculty of Economics, University of Cambridge.
    4. He, Ling-Yun & Chen, Kun-Xian, 2023. "Does China's regional emission trading scheme lead to carbon leakage? Evidence from conglomerates," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 175(C).
    5. Li, Haoyang & Wu, Nan, 2022. "Emission pricing, emission rebound, and the coverage scope of incomplete regulations," Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Elsevier, vol. 113(C).
    6. Huang, Geng & Lin, Xi & He, Ling-Yun, 2023. "Good for the environment? Foreign investment opening in service sector and firm's energy efficiency," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 127(PA).
    7. Guo, Dongmei & Li, Qin & Liu, Peng & Shi, Xunpeng & Yu, Jian, 2023. "Power shortage and firm performance: Evidence from a Chinese city power shortage index," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 119(C).
    8. Mei Lu & Michael G. Pollitt & Ke Wang & Yi-Ming Wei, 2023. "The incremental impact of China’s carbon trading pilots," Working Papers EPRG2316, Energy Policy Research Group, Cambridge Judge Business School, University of Cambridge.
    9. Yujue Wang, 2022. "Short-term shock, long-lasting payment: Evidence from the Lushan Earthquake," Papers 2212.01553, arXiv.org, revised Dec 2022.
    10. Xu Ou & Haiwei Jiang, 2023. "The Impact of Environmental Regulation on Firm Performance: Evidence from the Pulp and Paper Industry in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-18, February.
    11. Liu, Xueyue & Liu, Yu & Zhao, Ruili, 2023. "Import competition and energy efficiency: Firms' responses to the WTO accession in China," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 214(C), pages 670-690.
    12. Yang, Zhenbing & Shi, Qingquan & Shao, Shuai & Lu, Minwei & Yang, Lili, 2023. "Stricter energy regulations and water consumption: Firm-level evidence from China," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 120(C).
    13. Helu Jiang & Yu Zheng & Lijun Zhu, 2023. "Entry Barriers and Growth: The Role of Endogenous Market Structure," Working Papers 956, Queen Mary University of London, School of Economics and Finance.

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • H23 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Externalities; Redistributive Effects; Environmental Taxes and Subsidies
    • L51 - Industrial Organization - - Regulation and Industrial Policy - - - Economics of Regulation
    • O44 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity - - - Environment and Growth
    • Q48 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Energy - - - Government Policy

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