Environmental Incidents and the Market Value of Firms: An Empirical Investigation in the Chinese Context
40 Pages Posted: 19 Jun 2017
Date Written: June 16, 2017
Abstract
We examine firms listed on the Shanghai/Shenzhen Stock Exchange to investigate stock market reactions to 294 Chinese manufacturing firms involved in 618 environmental incidents between 2006 and 2013. Through our event studies, we find empirical evidence of a significantly negative stock market reaction to announcements of environmental incidents. Our empirical analysis reveals that Chinese firms with higher government share (of ownership) and recognition on social responsibility tend to be less affected by such incidents; however, Chinese firms with stronger personal political ties (i.e., top management teams or board members with concurrent or prior government appointments) are actually affected more when environmental incidents occur. Moreover, environmental incidents caused by Chinese firms can have a significantly negative impact on the market value of their overseas customers.
Keywords: Environmental Incident, China, Stock Market Reaction, Supply Chain, Social Responsibility
JEL Classification: M14
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