Lobbying and Bribes - A Survey-Based Analysis of the Demand for Influence and Corruption

36 Pages Posted: 29 Jun 2011

See all articles by Morten Bennedsen

Morten Bennedsen

INSEAD - Economics and Political Sciences; University of Copenhagen - Department of Economics

Sven E. Feldmann

Melbourne Business School

David Dreyer Lassen

University of Copenhagen - Department of Economics

Date Written: June 28, 2011

Abstract

We use survey responses by firms to examine the firm-level determinants and effects of political influence, their perception of corruption and prevalence of bribe paying. We find that: (a) measures of political influence and corruption/bribes are uncorrelated at the firm level; (b) firms that are larger, older, exporting, government-owned, are widely held and/or have fewer competitors have more political influence, perceive corruption to be less of a problem and pay bribes less often; (c) influence increases sales and government subsidies and in general makes the firm have a more positive view on the government. In sum, we show that “strong” firms use their influence to bend laws and regulations, whereas “weak” firms pay bribes to mitigate the costs of government intervention.

JEL Classification: D220, D720, G380, O170

Suggested Citation

Bennedsen, Morten and Feldmann, Sven E. and Lassen, David Dreyer, Lobbying and Bribes - A Survey-Based Analysis of the Demand for Influence and Corruption (June 28, 2011). CESifo Working Paper Series No. 3496, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1873891 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1873891

Morten Bennedsen

INSEAD - Economics and Political Sciences ( email )

Boulevard de Constance
F-77305 Fontainebleau Cedex
France

University of Copenhagen - Department of Economics ( email )

Øster Farimagsgade 5, Bygn 26
Copenhagen, 1353
Denmark

Sven E. Feldmann (Contact Author)

Melbourne Business School ( email )

200 Leicester Street
Carlton, Victoria 3053 3186
Australia
+61 3 9349 8171 (Phone)
+61 3 9349 8144 (Fax)

David Dreyer Lassen

University of Copenhagen - Department of Economics ( email )

Studiestraede 6
DK 1455 Copenhagen
Denmark
+45 3532 4412 (Phone)
+45 3532 4444 (Fax)

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