Effect of Institutional and Firm-Specific Characteristics on Post-Privatization Performance: Evidence from Developed Countries

Abstract:     
This study adds to the empirical evidence that privatization improves the performance of divested firms and offers preliminary evidence as to why these performance improvements occur. Using a sample of 129 share-issue privatizations from 23 developed (OECD) countries, we first document significant increases in profitability, efficiency, output, and capital expenditure following privatization. Our data indicate that ownership (both private and foreign), degree of economic freedom, and level of capital market development significantly affect post-privatization performance. A comparison to the findings of Boubakri, Cosset, and Guedmani (2004) suggests that several determinants of post-privatization performance improvements differ between developed and developing countries.

Keywords: Privatization, corporate governance

JEL Classifications: G32, G38

Working Paper Series