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Determinants of Profitability: An Empirical Investigation Using Australian Tax Entities

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  • Simon Feeny

    (Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, The University of Melbourne)

Abstract

This paper uses a sample of 180,738 tax entities from the full Australian Tax Office (ATO) tax return data to investigate the determinants of profitability. The sample of Australian tax entities are averaged over the period 1994/95 to 1996/97. Analysis is carried out at a 3 digit ANZSIC level of classification. Using simple regression techniques the analysis suggests that size of entity is positively related to profitability but industry characteristics have limited importance in explaining entity profitability. Concentration, defined at a 4 digit level, is positively and significantly related to entity profitability in 27% of Australian 3 digit industries, while a significant negative association is found in 8% of the industries. There is some evidence that barriers to entry have the positive relationship with entity profitability as dictated by theory when proxied by the industry capital intensity but not when proxied by the minimum efficient scale or industry trademark intensity. There is strong evidence that the market share of an entity has a U-shaped relationship with profitability.

Suggested Citation

  • Simon Feeny, 2000. "Determinants of Profitability: An Empirical Investigation Using Australian Tax Entities," Melbourne Institute Working Paper Series wp2000n01, Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, The University of Melbourne.
    • Handle: RePEc:iae:iaewps:wp2000n01
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    File URL: http://melbourneinstitute.unimelb.edu.au/downloads/working_paper_series/wp2000n01.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Akbar Ullah & Ejaz Ghani & Attiya Y. Javed, 2013. "Market Power and Industrial Performance in Pakistan," PIDE-Working Papers 2013:88, Pakistan Institute of Development Economics.
    2. Lorena Škufliæ & Danijel Mlinariæ & Marko Družiæ, 2018. "Determinants of construction sector profitability in Croatia," Zbornik radova Ekonomskog fakulteta u Rijeci/Proceedings of Rijeka Faculty of Economics, University of Rijeka, Faculty of Economics and Business, vol. 36(1), pages 337-354.
    3. Ibrahim Abidemi Odusanya & Olumuyiwa Ganiyu Yinusa & Bamidele M. Ilo, 2018. "Determinants of Firm Profitability in Nigeria: Evidence from Dynamic Panel Models," SPOUDAI Journal of Economics and Business, SPOUDAI Journal of Economics and Business, University of Piraeus, vol. 68(1), pages 43-58, January-M.
    4. Simon Feeny & Mark Harris & Mark Rogers, 2005. "A dynamic panel analysis of the profitability of Australian tax entities," Empirical Economics, Springer, vol. 30(1), pages 209-233, January.

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