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Judicial independence and corporate employment: Evidence from China

Author

Listed:
  • Xue, Xizi
  • Yang, Hao
  • Yang, Xuan
  • Zhang, Jiahao
  • Zhao, Xiaofang
  • Wang, Yihui

Abstract

We investigate how firms respond to strengthening of judicial independence by examining employment decisions following staggered judicial independence reform in China. We provide robust evidence that the reform leads to salient promotion in employee numbers. Alleviated financing frictions, increased labor demand and improved information quality are three plausible channels that allow independent judicial system to promote corporate employment. Further, we find the reform improves firms’ labor investment efficiency. We estimate that employment effect translates into economically important outcomes in innovation outputs and firm performance. Our paper provides new insights into the real effects of judicial independence on labor allocation and the economy.

Suggested Citation

  • Xue, Xizi & Yang, Hao & Yang, Xuan & Zhang, Jiahao & Zhao, Xiaofang & Wang, Yihui, 2023. "Judicial independence and corporate employment: Evidence from China," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 58(PC).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:finlet:v:58:y:2023:i:pc:s154461232300973x
    DOI: 10.1016/j.frl.2023.104601
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Judicial independence; Corporate employment;

    JEL classification:

    • E24 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Consumption, Saving, Production, Employment, and Investment - - - Employment; Unemployment; Wages; Intergenerational Income Distribution; Aggregate Human Capital; Aggregate Labor Productivity
    • G30 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - General
    • K40 - Law and Economics - - Legal Procedure, the Legal System, and Illegal Behavior - - - General

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