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Bankruptcy and Voluntary Liquidation: Evidence for New Firms in East and West Germany after Unification

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  • Prantl, Susanne

Abstract

Exploiting the unique economic situation after German unification, I investigate how exit decisions deviate between new firms in a transition and a comparatively stable market environment. Two competing exit mechanisms are considered: entrepreneurial self-selection via voluntary liquidation and external selection based on insolvency regulation. Distinguishing between the competing exit modes proves to be crucial in semi-parametric propor- tional hazard-rate estimations. Comparing East and West Germany, I find distinct education and size effects and a higher share of bankruptcy-related liquidations in East Germany. These results are argued to reflect different industry structures, capital and labor market conditions in both parts of Germany.

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  • Prantl, Susanne, 2003. "Bankruptcy and Voluntary Liquidation: Evidence for New Firms in East and West Germany after Unification," ZEW Discussion Papers 03-72, ZEW - Leibniz Centre for European Economic Research.
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:zewdip:1682
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    7. S. Balcaen & J. Buyze & H. Ooghe, 2009. "Financial distress and firm exit: determinants of involuntary exits, voluntary liquidations and restructuring exits," Working Papers of Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, Ghent University, Belgium 09/598, Ghent University, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration.
    8. Gude, Hardy & Kohn, Karsten & Ullrich, Katrin & Fryges, Helmut & Gottschalk, Sandra & Müller, Kathrin & Niefert, Michaela, 2010. "KfW/ZEW-Gründungspanel 2010: Aufbruch nach dem Sturm. Junge Unternehmen zwischen Investitionsschwäche und Innovationsstrategie," ZEW Expertises, ZEW - Leibniz Centre for European Economic Research, number 161819.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Exit; Bankruptcy; Voluntary Liquidation; Transition Economy; Duration Analysis;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C14 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods and Methodology: General - - - Semiparametric and Nonparametric Methods: General
    • L20 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - General
    • P30 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Socialist Institutions and Their Transitions - - - General
    • P52 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Comparative Economic Systems - - - Comparative Studies of Particular Economies
    • C41 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods: Special Topics - - - Duration Analysis; Optimal Timing Strategies

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