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The impact of privatization on the performance of the infrastructure sector : the case of electricity distribution in Latin American countries

Author

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  • Andres, Luis
  • Foster, Vivien
  • Guasch, Jose Luis

Abstract

The authors analyze the impact of privatization on the performance of 116 electric utilities in 10 Latin American countries. The analysis makes a number of contributions to the literature on changes in infrastructure ownership. First, this is the first systemic analysis of the impact of privatization on the distribution of the electricity sector. Second, it constructs an unbalanced panel data set of key indicators for each country. Third, it includes a broader-than in past studies-range of indicators, such as output, employment, productivity, efficiency, quality, coverage, and prices, offering a fuller picture of the effects of privatization on consumers. Fourth, this research covers a longer period of time, and evaluates three stages-before, transition, and after-allowing for the identification of the short- and long-run effects of privatization, as opposed to previous analyses'short time series data that do not identify long-run outcomes. Finally, the counterfactual is considered through the analysis in trends. The authors apply two different methodologies. The first methodology uses means and medians from each period and tests the significance of the changes between periods. The second methodology consists of an econometric model that captures firm fixed effects, firm-specific time trends, and heteroscedasticity corrections. When needed, the authorsused firm-specific time trends to better understand the outcomes. The results suggest that changes in ownership generate significant improvements in labor productivity, efficiency, and product and service quality, and that most of those changes occur in the transition period. Improvements in the post transition period-beyond two years after the change in ownership-are much more modest.

Suggested Citation

  • Andres, Luis & Foster, Vivien & Guasch, Jose Luis, 2006. "The impact of privatization on the performance of the infrastructure sector : the case of electricity distribution in Latin American countries," Policy Research Working Paper Series 3936, The World Bank.
    • Handle: RePEc:wbk:wbrwps:3936
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Bongo Adi & Ernest Ndukwe & Nkemdilim Iheanachor & Chukwuma Dim, 2013. "Do Privatisation Model, Contractual and Institutional Factors Play Any Role in Infrastructure Post-privatisation Efficiency? Exploring Port Concessions in Nigeria," Journal of Infrastructure Development, India Development Foundation, vol. 5(2), pages 121-135, December.
    2. Ornella Tarola & Sandro Trento, 2010. "Timing of Investment and Dynamic Pricing in Privatized Sectors," DISA Working Papers 1005, Department of Computer and Management Sciences, University of Trento, Italy, revised 20 Oct 2010.
    3. Gunther Bensch, 2019. "The effects of market-based reforms on access to electricity in developing countries: a systematic review," Journal of Development Effectiveness, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 11(2), pages 165-188, April.
    4. Nakhoda, Aadil, 2014. "The impact of electricity constraints on access to finance: A firm-level study," MPRA Paper 59507, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    5. Antonio Estache & L. Wren-Lewis, 2008. "Towards a Theory of Regulation for Developing Countries: Following Laffont's Lead," Working Papers ECARES 2008_018, ULB -- Universite Libre de Bruxelles.
    6. Auriol, Emmanuelle & Blanc, Aymeric, 2009. "Capture and corruption in public utilities: The cases of water and electricity in Sub-Saharan Africa," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 17(2), pages 203-216, June.
    7. Luis Andres & José Luis Guasch & Sebastián Lopez Azumendi, 2009. "Regulatory Governance and Sector Performance: Methodology and Evaluation for Electricity Distribution in Latin America," Chapters, in: Claude Ménard & Michel Ghertman (ed.), Regulation, Deregulation, Reregulation, chapter 6, Edward Elgar Publishing.
    8. Kenta Tanaka and Shunsuke Managi, 2013. "Measuring Productivity Gains from Deregulation of the Japanese Urban Gas Industry," The Energy Journal, International Association for Energy Economics, vol. 0(Number 4).
    9. Chiquiar Daniel & Ramos Francia Manuel, 2009. "Competitiveness and Growth of the Mexican Economy," Working Papers 2009-11, Banco de México.
    10. Delalibera, Bruno R. & Serrano-Quintero, Rafael & Zimmermann, Guilherme G., 2023. "Reforms in the natural gas sector and economic development," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 125(C).
    11. Muller, Renan Bergonsi & Rego, Erik Eduardo, 2021. "Privatization of electricity distribution in Brazil: Long-term effects on service quality and financial indicators," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 159(C).
    12. Riham Shendy & Zachary Kaplan & Peter Mousley, 2011. "Toward Better Infrastructure : Conditions, Constraints, and Opportunities in Financing Public-Private Partnerships in Select African Countries," World Bank Publications - Books, The World Bank Group, number 2331, December.
    13. Estache, Antonio & Rossi, Martin A., 2008. "Regulatory agencies : impact on firm performance and social welfare," Policy Research Working Paper Series 4509, The World Bank.
    14. Martínez Chombo Eduardo, 2009. "Sources of Over-Costs and Distortions in State-Owned Utilities in Mexico," Working Papers 2009-07, Banco de México.
    15. Cambini, Carlo & Franzi, Donata, 2013. "Independent regulatory agencies and rules harmonization for the electricity sector and renewables in the Mediterranean region," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 60(C), pages 179-191.
    16. Gül Berna Özcan & Umut Gündüz, 2015. "Energy privatisations, business-politics connections and governance under political Islam," Environment and Planning C, , vol. 33(6), pages 1714-1737, December.

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    Keywords

    Economic Theory&Research; Energy Production and Transportation; Public Sector Economics&Finance; Labor Markets; Science Education;
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