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Non-commercial goals and financial performance of state-owned enterprises – some evidence from the electricity sector in the EU countries

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  • Matuszak, Piotr
  • Kabaciński, Bartosz

Abstract

This study considers the financial performance of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) in relation to non-commercial goals. We focus on enterprises operating in the production of electricity sector in the EU countries and analyse their profitability conditioning on the level of electricity prices. We reveal that SOEs underperform as compared to their privately owned counterparts when they operate in those markets that have lower prices. This suggests that their profitability is likely to be substantially affected by pursuing goals other than profit-maximisation - providing crucial products and services at affordable prices - and emphasises a need to consider the non-commercial objectives of SOEs in the empirical research.

Suggested Citation

  • Matuszak, Piotr & Kabaciński, Bartosz, 2021. "Non-commercial goals and financial performance of state-owned enterprises – some evidence from the electricity sector in the EU countries," Journal of Comparative Economics, Elsevier, vol. 49(4), pages 1068-1087.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jcecon:v:49:y:2021:i:4:p:1068-1087
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jce.2021.03.002
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    State owned enterprises; SOEs; State ownership;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • Q48 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Energy - - - Government Policy
    • Q41 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Energy - - - Demand and Supply; Prices
    • L21 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Business Objectives of the Firm
    • L33 - Industrial Organization - - Nonprofit Organizations and Public Enterprise - - - Comparison of Public and Private Enterprise and Nonprofit Institutions; Privatization; Contracting Out

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