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Government intervention and firm investment: Evidence from international micro-data

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  • Lin, Chen
  • Man-lai Wong, Sonia

Abstract

Building on the important study by Beck et al. (2005), we examine how government intervention in firms' decision-making is related to their investment and sales growth. Using the unique World Bank dataset (WBES) covering 6500 firms in 70 countries, we find strong evidence that the extent of government intervention in firms' investment, employment, sales, pricing, dividend, and merger and acquisition decisions is negatively related to their investment and sales growth, with the effect being more profound in foreign owned firms and less significant in state-owned firms. The empirical results are robust to a series of robustness tests and instrumental variable regressions.

Suggested Citation

  • Lin, Chen & Man-lai Wong, Sonia, 2013. "Government intervention and firm investment: Evidence from international micro-data," Journal of International Money and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 32(C), pages 637-653.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jimfin:v:32:y:2013:i:c:p:637-653
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jimonfin.2012.06.002
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    4. Zhi Wang & Miao Yu, 2022. "Political embeddedness and firms' growth," Kyklos, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 75(1), pages 127-153, February.
    5. Qiang Liu & Ying Hao & Yong Du & Yuning Xing, 2020. "GDP competition and corporate investment: Evidence from China," Pacific Economic Review, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 25(3), pages 402-426, August.
    6. Nunes, Cláudia & Oliveira, Carlos & Pimentel, Rita, 2021. "Quasi-analytical solution of an investment problem with decreasing investment cost due to technological innovations," Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control, Elsevier, vol. 130(C).
    7. Xie, Jun & Zhang, Yifan, 2020. "Anti-corruption, government intervention, and corporate cash holdings: Evidence from China," Economic Systems, Elsevier, vol. 44(1).
    8. Amankwah-Amoah, Joseph & Debrah, Yaw A. & Honyenuga, Ben Q. & Adzoyi, Paulina N., 2017. "Business and government interdependence in emerging economies: Insights from hotels in Ghana," MPRA Paper 81320, University Library of Munich, Germany.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Firm investment; Government intervention; International evidence;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G31 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Capital Budgeting; Fixed Investment and Inventory Studies
    • G32 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Financing Policy; Financial Risk and Risk Management; Capital and Ownership Structure; Value of Firms; Goodwill
    • G38 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Government Policy and Regulation

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