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Journal of Corporate Finance Vol. 11 No. 5 2005

Can corporatization improve the performance of state-owned enterprises even without privatization?

Varouj A. Aivazian1; Ying Ge2; Jiaping Qiu3

1 University of Toronto · 2 University of International Business and Economics · 3 Wilfrid Laurier University

Abstract

This paper examines an important reform program in China concerning State Owned Enterprises (SOEs), namely, corporatization without privatization. It finds that corporatization has had a significantly positive impact on SOE performance. It further shows that the sources of efficiency engendered by corporatization can be traced to the reform of the internal governance structure of these firms. The results indicate that, even without privatization, corporate governance reform is potentially an effective way of improving the performance of SOEs; such reforms represent a policy alternative for countries seeking to restructure SOEs without massive privatization. The results also suggest that it may be optimal for governments to carry out corporatization of SOEs before eventual privatization.

DOI
10.1016/j.jcorpfin.2004.11.001
Volume
11
Issue
5
Pages
791-808
Language
en
Sources
bibtex:phds-export.bib openalex crossref

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