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Political affiliation in post-parliamentary careers in Italian public enterprises

Author

Listed:
  • Quaresima Federico

    (Department of Economics and Social Sciences, 9294Polytechnic University of Marche, P. le Martelli, 8, 60121, Ancona, Italy)

  • Santolini Raffaella

    (Department of Economics and Social Sciences, 9294Polytechnic University of Marche, P. le Martelli, 8, 60121, Ancona, Italy)

  • Fiorillo Fabio

    (Department of Economics and Social Sciences, 9294Polytechnic University of Marche, P. le Martelli, 8, 60121, Ancona, Italy)

Abstract

It has long been recognized that the presence of politicians on the boards of directors of public firms may create inefficiencies. Nevertheless, research has so far neglected the effect of political affiliation on the appointment of Members of Parliament to the boards of public firms. This article intends to fill this gap by conducting an empirical analysis on a sample of 945 deputies of the Italian Parliament elected over the period 1996–2001. Regression discontinuity estimates show that the centre-left coalition is about 25 percentage points more likely to appoint its Members of Parliament to the board of public enterprises than the centre-right coalition. Political appointments become more pronounced when the centre-left forms a governing coalition.

Suggested Citation

  • Quaresima Federico & Santolini Raffaella & Fiorillo Fabio, 2020. "Political affiliation in post-parliamentary careers in Italian public enterprises," German Economic Review, De Gruyter, vol. 21(1), pages 35-64, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:bpj:germec:v:21:y:2020:i:1:p:35-64
    DOI: 10.1515/ger-0016-0019
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    party affiliation; political appointment; public enterprises; regression discontinuity design; Italy;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D70 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - General
    • H82 - Public Economics - - Miscellaneous Issues - - - Governmental Property
    • J45 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Particular Labor Markets - - - Public Sector Labor Markets
    • L32 - Industrial Organization - - Nonprofit Organizations and Public Enterprise - - - Public Enterprises; Public-Private Enterprises

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