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Economic policy uncertainty and business performance: The moderating role of service transformation

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  • Ou, Ling
  • Zhang, Zhibin
  • Li, Renyu
  • Chen, Zhuo

Abstract

Using a sample of Chinese A-share-listed manufacturing companies from 2011 to 2020, the impact of economic policy uncertainty (EPU) on business performance was analyzed. The results show that EPU is detrimental to improving business performance; service transformation can significantly offset the adverse effects of EPU on business performance. This positive effect increases with the depth of service transformation. Furthermore, embedded service transformation is more effective than mixed-service transformation in weakening the adverse effects of EPU on business performance. Additionally, the study found that the moderate effect is more noticeable in non-state-owned enterprises and low-sale growth firms. The results are robust after the specifications of many variables, possible endogeneity issues, and more control variables are considered.

Suggested Citation

  • Ou, Ling & Zhang, Zhibin & Li, Renyu & Chen, Zhuo, 2023. "Economic policy uncertainty and business performance: The moderating role of service transformation," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 88(C), pages 531-546.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:reveco:v:88:y:2023:i:c:p:531-546
    DOI: 10.1016/j.iref.2023.06.038
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    Cited by:

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    2. Liu, Yun & Gao, Qun, 2024. "Economic policy uncertainty and enterprise innovation in China: From the perspective of equity financing and financing structure," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 81(C), pages 17-33.
    3. Xiao, Lingmin & Zhao, Liang & Zhu, Qianyu, 2024. "Host country economic policy uncertainty, trade openness and Chinese enterprise overseas investment," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 96(PA).
    4. Lan, Sushan & Meng, Wanshan, 2024. "Impact of economic policy uncertainty on systemic risk of real enterprises: Evidence from China," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 69(PB).
    5. Zhang, Xiekui & Huang, Yihan & Fenglan Wei,, 2024. "The incentive effects of the macro tax burden on economic growth: A negative or positive incentive effect? Analysis based on panel data," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 93(PA), pages 128-147.
    6. Juntao, Liu & Haitao, Liu, 2023. "Government–business relationship and strategic transformation of enterprises: Evidence from China," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 58(PD).
    7. Du, Kunhai & Zhao, Qicheng & Yin, Yugang & Zhang, Tiancheng, 2024. "Marketing executives and corporate performance: From the perspective of marketing digitalization," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 93(PA), pages 631-644.
    8. Huma Jamshaid & Muhammad Nauman Abbasi & Raza Ali, 2024. "Sustainability Amplified: Servitization, Integration and Buyer-Supplier Nexus," Bulletin of Business and Economics (BBE), Research Foundation for Humanity (RFH), vol. 13(1), pages 297-306.
    9. Choi, Young Mok & Park, Kunsu, 2024. "Economic policy uncertainty and dividend policy: Insight from private firms," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 96(PB).
    10. Zou, Siqi & Long, Yang, 2025. "The nonlinear impact of economic policy uncertainty on corporate green total factor productivity," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 77(C).
    11. Meng, Tao & Li, Qi & He, Chang & Dong, Zheng, 2025. "Research on the configuration path of manufacturing enterprises' digital servitization transformation," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 98(C).
    12. Sun, Haibo & Bai, Tonghuan & Liu, Zhonglu, 2024. "Perceived policy uncertainty and enterprise greenwashing risk," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 69(PA).

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