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Heterogenous Energy Consumption Behavior by Firm Size: Evidence from Korean Environmental Regulations

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  • Jaeseok Lee

    (Energy Institute, Seoul Energy Corporation, 20 Mokdongseo-ro, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul 07978, Korea)

  • Jongmin Yu

    (Department of Economics, Hongik University, 94 Wausan-ro, Mapogu, Seoul 121-791, Korea)

Abstract

We analyze the interdependencies between energy usage, energy costs, renewable energy shares, economic growth, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the Korean industrial sector by employing a time-series panel vector model. Although the topic itself about has been classic one, our research to investigate diverse dynamics between large and small-mid size businesses using micro-firm level data is the first study in literature. Since firms with different sizes are put in different policy circumstances, the aggregate-level data analysis could possibly disregard the effectiveness of environmental & renewable policies and underestimate the policy sensitivity of firms. Our findings demonstrate that the increase in energy consumption in larger firms has a greater impact on their energy costs and GHG emissions than for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Moreover, it has a significant effect on GDP. Also, the increase in renewable energy shares only has a significant influence on the energy consumption and GHG emission levels of large firms.

Suggested Citation

  • Jaeseok Lee & Jongmin Yu, 2019. "Heterogenous Energy Consumption Behavior by Firm Size: Evidence from Korean Environmental Regulations," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(11), pages 1-15, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:11:p:3226-:d:238843
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    Cited by:

    1. Mertzanis, Charilaos & Garas, Samy & Abdel-Maksoud, Ahmed, 2020. "Integrity of financial information and firms' access to energy in developing countries," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 92(C).
    2. Mohammad Abir Shahid Chowdhury & Shuai Chuanmin & Marcela Sokolová & ABM Munibur Rahman & Ahsan Akbar & Zahid Ali & Muhammad Usman, 2021. "Unveiling the Nexus between Access to Electricity, Firm Size and SME’s Performance in Bangladesh: New Evidence Using PSM," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(20), pages 1-16, October.
    3. João Amador, 2022. "Energy mix and intensity in Portugal: Portraits from aggregate and firm-level data," Economic Bulletin and Financial Stability Report Articles and Banco de Portugal Economic Studies, Banco de Portugal, Economics and Research Department.

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