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Does Corruption Hinder Firm Energy Efficiency? Evidence From Vietnam

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  • Gaygysyz Ashyrov
  • Helen Poltimäe

Abstract

Energy efficiency is an important issue for developing countries like Vietnam, where the economy is thriving, but energy efficiency is still low. Firms should invest in energy efficiency measures, but the desired level is not reached. While the economic determinants of firms’ investments in energy efficiency have been researched, the role of the institutional setting has not gained so much attention. By employing data from Vietnamese small and medium-sized enterprises that has been administered in 2015, this article investigates how corruption, as a sign of institutional dysfunctionality, is associated with the energy efficiency in firms. Results of a bivariate binary probit estimation revealed that bribery increases the likelihood of energy efficiency environmentally friendly investments. However, findings from instrumental variable two stage least squares estimations demonstrate that bribery increases the cost of the investments. Hence, in the long run, corruption might have a deterring effect on energy efficiency investments by firms.

Suggested Citation

  • Gaygysyz Ashyrov & Helen Poltimäe, 2022. "Does Corruption Hinder Firm Energy Efficiency? Evidence From Vietnam," University of Tartu - Faculty of Economics and Business Administration Working Paper Series 137, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, University of Tartu (Estonia).
    • Handle: RePEc:mtk:febawb:137
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    Cited by:

    1. Rouven E. Haschka & Helmut Herwartz & Clara Silva Coelho & Yabibal M. Walle, 2023. "The impact of local financial development and corruption control on firm efficiency in Vietnam: evidence from a geoadditive stochastic frontier analysis," Journal of Productivity Analysis, Springer, vol. 60(2), pages 203-226, October.

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    corruption; energy efficiency; institutional setting; Vietnam;
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