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Cultural Diversity and Corporate Tax Avoidance: Evidence from Chinese Private Enterprises

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  • Guangyong Lei

    (School of Business, University of International Business and Economics)

  • Wanwan Wang

    (School of Business, University of International Business and Economics)

  • Junli Yu

    (China Institute for Urban Governance\School of International and Public Affairs, Shanghai Jiao Tong University)

  • Kam C. Chan

    (Western Kentucky University)

Abstract

We examine the impact of a city’s cultural diversity on a firm’s tax avoidance (TA). Our findings suggest that when a firm is located in a culturally diverse city, it exhibits less TA than a firm located in a less culturally diverse city. The findings are robust to alternative metrics of cultural diversity and TA and after accounting for omitted sample bias and endogeneity. Additional analysis suggests that the negative impact of cultural diversity on a firm’s TA is more salient in a firm with strong managerial incentives or in a city that is characterized by more migration. Furthermore, we document that the negative impact of cultural diversity on TA is more pronounced when firms face strong financial constraints or effective internal and external monitoring.

Suggested Citation

  • Guangyong Lei & Wanwan Wang & Junli Yu & Kam C. Chan, 2022. "Cultural Diversity and Corporate Tax Avoidance: Evidence from Chinese Private Enterprises," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 176(2), pages 357-379, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jbuset:v:176:y:2022:i:2:d:10.1007_s10551-020-04683-2
    DOI: 10.1007/s10551-020-04683-2
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