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Journal of Economic Literature Vol. 39 No. 2 2001

From State to Market: A Survey of Empirical Studies on Privatization

William L. Megginson1; Jeffry M. Netter2

1 University of Oklahoma · 2 University of Georgia

open access

Abstract

This study surveys the literature examining the privatization of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) We review the history of privatization, the theoretical and empirical evidence on the relative performance of state owned and privately owned firms, the types of privatization, if and by how much privatization has improved the performance of former SOEs in non-transition and transition countries, how investors in privatizations have fared, and the impact of privatization on the development of capital markets and corporate governance. In most settings privatization “works” in that the firms become more efficient, more profitable, and financially healthier, and reward investors.

DOI
10.1257/jel.39.2.321
Volume
39
Issue
2
Pages
321-389
Language
en
Sources
openalex crossref

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