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Privatization, Underpricing, and Welfare in the Presence of Foreign Competition

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  • ARGHYA GHOSH
  • MANIPUSHPAK MITRA
  • BIBHAS SAHA

Abstract

We analyze privatization in a differentiated oligopoly setting with a domestic public firm and foreign profit-maximizing firms. In particular, we examine pricing below marginal cost by the public firm, the optimal degree of privatization, and the relationship between privatization and foreign ownership restrictions. When market structure is exogenous, partial privatization of the public firm improves welfare by reducing public sector losses. Surprisingly, even at the optimal level of privatization, the public firm's price lies strictly below marginal cost, resulting in losses. Our analysis also reveals a potential conflict between privatization and investment liberalization (i.e., relaxing restrictions on foreign ownership) in the short run. With endogenous market structure (i.e., free entry of foreign firms), partial privatization improves welfare through an additional channel: more foreign varieties. Furthermore, at the optimal level of privatization, the public firm's price lies strictly above marginal cost and earns positive profits.

Suggested Citation

  • Arghya Ghosh & Manipushpak Mitra & Bibhas Saha, 2015. "Privatization, Underpricing, and Welfare in the Presence of Foreign Competition," Journal of Public Economic Theory, Association for Public Economic Theory, vol. 17(3), pages 433-460, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:jpbect:v:17:y:2015:i:3:p:433-460
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    Cited by:

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    2. Hiroaki Ino & Akira Miyaoka, 2016. "Government-induced Production Commitment in the Open Economy," Discussion Paper Series 142, School of Economics, Kwansei Gakuin University, revised May 2016.
    3. Jiancai Pi & Shuning Li, 2022. "Managerial Delegation and Wage Inequality," Annals of Economics and Finance, Society for AEF, vol. 23(1), pages 141-157, May.
    4. Yi Liu & Toshihiro Matsumura & Chenhang Zeng, 2021. "The relationship between privatization and corporate taxation policies," Journal of Economics, Springer, vol. 133(1), pages 85-101, June.
    5. Chao, Chi-Chur & Nabin, Munirul & Nguyen, Xuan & Sgro, Pasquale M., 2016. "Wage inequality and welfare in developing countries: Privatization and reforms in the short and long run," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 42(C), pages 474-483.
    6. Thanh Tam Nguyen-Huu & Ngoc‐sang Pham, 2023. "FDI spillovers, New Industry Development, and Economic Growth," Post-Print hal-04240260, HAL.
    7. Lai, Fenghui & Wang, Dazhong & Yang, Nan, 2021. "Knowledge transfer incentives and optimal privatization via rival’s partial equity ownership," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 206(C).

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