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The political economy of share issue privatization: International evidence

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  • Saffar, Walid

Abstract

Using a large sample of 3266 privatization transactions from 100 countries over the period 1977–2006, I test hypotheses on the political underpinnings of the choice of privatization method. After controlling for firm-level characteristics and cross-country legal institutions, I find that the political system's type, tenure, and cohesion explain the choice between privatizing with a share issue or an asset sale. My results are robust to a series of sensitivity tests and suggest that the government's choice of privatization method is politically constrained at different levels.

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  • Saffar, Walid, 2014. "The political economy of share issue privatization: International evidence," Journal of Multinational Financial Management, Elsevier, vol. 24(C), pages 1-18.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:mulfin:v:24:y:2014:i:c:p:1-18
    DOI: 10.1016/j.mulfin.2013.06.004
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Privatization; Control structure; Political institutions;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • 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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