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Political Connectedness, Corporate Governance, and Firm Performance

Author

Listed:
  • Polona Domadenik

    (University of Ljubljana)

  • Janez Prašnikar

    (University of Ljubljana)

  • Jan Svejnar

    (Columbia University)

Abstract

In this paper, we present and test a theory of how political connectedness (often linked to political corruption) affects corporate governance and productive efficiency of firms. Our model predicts that underdeveloped democratic institutions that do not punish political corruption result in political connectedness of firms that in turn has a negative effect on performance. We test this prediction on an almost complete population of Slovenian joint-stock companies with 100 or more employees. Using the data on supervisory board structure, together with balance sheet and income statement data for 2000–2010, we show that a higher share of politically connected supervisory board members leads to lower productivity.

Suggested Citation

  • Polona Domadenik & Janez Prašnikar & Jan Svejnar, 2016. "Political Connectedness, Corporate Governance, and Firm Performance," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 139(2), pages 411-428, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jbuset:v:139:y:2016:i:2:d:10.1007_s10551-015-2675-4
    DOI: 10.1007/s10551-015-2675-4
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    2. Muhammad Haris & Hongxing Yao & Gulzara Tariq & Hafiz Mustansar Javaid & Qurat Ul Ain, 2019. "Corporate Governance, Political Connections, and Bank Performance," IJFS, MDPI, vol. 7(4), pages 1-37, October.
    3. Will Bartlett, 2023. "The performance of politically connected firms in South East Europe: state capture or business capture?," Post-Communist Economies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 35(4), pages 351-367, May.
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    5. Robert Kubinec, 2018. "Patrons or Clients? Measuring and Experimentally Evaluating Political Connections of Firms in Morocco and Jordan," Working Papers 1280, Economic Research Forum, revised 26 Dec 2018.
    6. Kobil Ruziev, 2017. "Political connectedness and formal finance in transition economies," IZA World of Labor, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA), pages 398-398, November.
    7. Malesky, Edmund J. & Nguyen, Thang V. & Bach, Thang N. & Ho, Bao D., 2020. "The effect of market competition on bribery in emerging economies: An empirical analysis of Vietnamese firms," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 131(C).
    8. Jan Hagemejer & Joanna Tyrowicz, 2020. "A New Instrument for Measuring the Local Causal Effect of Privatisation on Firm Performance," Gospodarka Narodowa. The Polish Journal of Economics, Warsaw School of Economics, issue 3, pages 35-52.
    9. Tahiru Azaaviele Liedong & Daniel Aghanya & Tazeeb Rajwani, 2020. "Corporate Political Strategies in Weak Institutional Environments: A Break from Conventions," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 161(4), pages 855-876, February.
    10. Thanakorn Suriyapongprapai & Pattanaporn Chatjuthamard & Arnat Leemakdej & Sirimon Treepongkaruna, 2022. "Stakeholder engagement, military ties, and firm performance," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 29(2), pages 469-479, March.
    11. Anutchanat Jaroenjitrkam & Sakkakom Maneenop & Sirimon Treepongkaruna, 2024. "Corporate governance, policies, and outcomes: The appointment of military connected boards and sustainability," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 31(1), pages 448-471, January.
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