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Are governmental expenditures also sticky? Evidence from the operating expenditures of public schools

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  • TsingZai C. Wu
  • Chaur-Shiuh Young
  • Chun-Chan Yu
  • Hsiao-Tang Hsu

Abstract

Existing research on cost stickiness focuses primarily on for-profit companies. This study investigates cost behaviour in the public sector, a new setting that deserves more research attention. Using unique data from public schools in Taiwan, we find that operating expenditures of public schools are sticky. Moreover, the stickiness is more prominent for schools whose principals facing higher enrolment pressure. These results support the public choice theory, suggesting that bureaucratic power may serve as a key driver leading to a sticky cost behaviour for governmental organizations. The government auditors and congressional representatives monitoring governmental budgets should thus notice that bureaucrats might keep the level of expenditures just for their self-interests when demand declines, a manifestation of distortion in allocation of social resources.

Suggested Citation

  • TsingZai C. Wu & Chaur-Shiuh Young & Chun-Chan Yu & Hsiao-Tang Hsu, 2020. "Are governmental expenditures also sticky? Evidence from the operating expenditures of public schools," Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 52(16), pages 1763-1776, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:applec:v:52:y:2020:i:16:p:1763-1776
    DOI: 10.1080/00036846.2019.1678731
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    Cited by:

    1. Ibrahim, Awad Elsayed Awad & Ali, Hesham & Aboelkheir, Heba, 2022. "Cost stickiness: A systematic literature review of 27 years of research and a future research agenda," Journal of International Accounting, Auditing and Taxation, Elsevier, vol. 46(C).
    2. Naoum, Vasilios-Christos & Ntounis, Dimitrios & Papanastasopoulos, Georgios & Vlismas, Orestes, 2023. "Asymmetric cost behavior: Theory, meta-analysis, and implications," Journal of International Accounting, Auditing and Taxation, Elsevier, vol. 53(C).

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