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Do China's anti-corruption efforts improve corporate productivity? A difference-in-difference exploration of Chinese listed enterprises

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  • Tao, Miaomiao
  • Dagestani, Abd Alwahed
  • Goh, Lim Thye
  • Zheng, Yuhang
  • Le, Wen

Abstract

Corruption affects corporate investment and diverts resources away from growth-improving factors, including R&D activities and human capital, thereby lowering productivity. Using a time-varying difference-in-differences approach, we identified the causal effect of China's anti-corruption campaign on corporate productivity during 2011–2021. The findings uncovered that China's anti-corruption campaign increased corporate productivity by approximately 18.43%. Results from heterogeneity analysis showed that the promoting effect was particularly significant in non-state-owned firms, firms without political ties, and firms in areas with weak legal systems. Additional mechanism analysis revealed that firm productivity could be significantly boosted by improving resource allocation efficiency and advancing technological innovation.

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  • Tao, Miaomiao & Dagestani, Abd Alwahed & Goh, Lim Thye & Zheng, Yuhang & Le, Wen, 2023. "Do China's anti-corruption efforts improve corporate productivity? A difference-in-difference exploration of Chinese listed enterprises," Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 87(PB).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:soceps:v:87:y:2023:i:pb:s0038012123000940
    DOI: 10.1016/j.seps.2023.101594
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