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Political regimes, investment and electoral uncertainty

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  • Marcelin, Isaac
  • Stephen, Sheryl-Ann K.
  • Fanta, Fassil
  • Tecklezion, Mussie

Abstract

This study looks at firm’s investment spending in fixed and intangible assets around three types of national elections: presidential, joint presidential and legislative, and parliamentary elections. Investment in fixed assets declines by up to 2.3% during presidential elections, and 4.43% in joint presidential and legislative elections years. On the other hand, intangible investment decreases by 4.47% in parliamentary election years. Moreover, investment responses to electoral shocks differ markedly within political systems and countries’ institutional settings. Investment levels shift significantly downward in pre- and resume in postelection years. The electoral effect results in a net loss in investment over the election cycle.

Suggested Citation

  • Marcelin, Isaac & Stephen, Sheryl-Ann K. & Fanta, Fassil & Tecklezion, Mussie, 2019. "Political regimes, investment and electoral uncertainty," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 47(C), pages 580-599.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:riibaf:v:47:y:2019:i:c:p:580-599
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ribaf.2018.10.003
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Political economy; Policy uncertainty; Electoral uncertainty; Investment; Capital intensity; Intangible intensity;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D92 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - Intertemporal Firm Choice, Investment, Capacity, and Financing
    • E22 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Consumption, Saving, Production, Employment, and Investment - - - Investment; Capital; Intangible Capital; Capacity
    • G11 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Portfolio Choice; Investment Decisions
    • O16 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Financial Markets; Saving and Capital Investment; Corporate Finance and Governance
    • P16 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Capitalist Economies - - - Capitalist Institutions; Welfare State
    • P26 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Socialist and Transition Economies - - - Property Rights

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