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It is a Sweetheart of a Deal: Political Connections and Corporate‐Federal Contracting

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  • Stephen P. Ferris
  • Reza Houston
  • David Javakhadze

Abstract

We examine whether political connections measured by political contributions influence the choice of terms included in government contracts awarded to firms. We construct an index of four “sweetheart” contract terms and find that firms making larger political contributions more frequently have these favorable terms included in their contracts. We also find that political contributions have explanatory power for contract design after controlling for lobbying, negotiation power, and the employment of former government employees. These results are robust to alternative model specifications, different estimation techniques, various variable measurements, and adjustments for possible endogeneity.

Suggested Citation

  • Stephen P. Ferris & Reza Houston & David Javakhadze, 2019. "It is a Sweetheart of a Deal: Political Connections and Corporate‐Federal Contracting," The Financial Review, Eastern Finance Association, vol. 54(1), pages 57-84, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:finrev:v:54:y:2019:i:1:p:57-84
    DOI: 10.1111/fire.12181
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    Cited by:

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    2. Ferris, Stephen P. & Hanousek, Jan & Tresl, Jiri, 2021. "Corporate profitability and the global persistence of corruption," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 66(C).
    3. repec:hal:journl:hal-04662505 is not listed on IDEAS
    4. M. Kabir Hassan & M. Sydul Karim & Tarun Mukherjee, 2023. "Does corporate diversification retrench the effects of firm‐level political risk?," The Financial Review, Eastern Finance Association, vol. 58(4), pages 663-702, November.
    5. Li, Qing & Liu, Qigui & Ma, Shiguang & Tian, Gary Gang, 2019. "Loan financing and investment in princeling-backed firms," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 56(C), pages 71-92.
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    8. Khaw, Karren Lee-Hwei & Zainudin, Rozaimah & Rashid, Rasidah Mohd, 2019. "Cost of debt financing: Does political connection matter?," Emerging Markets Review, Elsevier, vol. 41(C).
    9. Ibrahim NIFTIYEV & Delia DAVID & Marioara IORDAN & Petru HORGA, 2024. "A Multivariate Performance Analysis Of The Plastics Manufacturers: Comparative Analysis Of European Regions," Studies in Business and Economics, Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu, Faculty of Economic Sciences, vol. 19(1), pages 167-188, April.
    10. Huq, Tahsin Imtiazul & Hassan, M.Kabir & Houston, Reza, 2022. "The effects of firm political contributions on earmarks and subsequent firm performance," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 62(C).
    11. Huq, Tahsin Imtiazul & Kabir Hassan, M. & Houston, Reza & Sydul Karim, M., 2024. "The takeover Tango: Unraveling the impact of state-owned enterprise acquisitions on American competitors," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 68(C).
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    13. Ashrafee Tanvir Hossain & Lawrence Kryzanowski, 2021. "Political corruption shielding and corporate acquisitions," The Financial Review, Eastern Finance Association, vol. 56(1), pages 55-83, February.

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