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Evaluating the impact of public subsidies on a firm's performance: A quasi-experimental approach

Author

Listed:
  • Néstor Duch

    (Institut d'Economia de Barcelona (IEB); Universitat de Barcelona (UB))

  • Daniel Montolio

    (Institut d'Economia de Barcelona (IEB); Universitat de Barcelona (UB))

  • Mauro Mediavilla

    (Universitat de Barcelona (UB))

Abstract

Many regional governments in developed countries design programs to improve the competitiveness of local firms. In this paper, we evaluate the effectiveness of public programs whose aim is to enhance the performance of firms located in Catalonia (Spain). We compare the performance of publicly subsidised companies (treated) with that of similar, but unsubsidised companies (non-treated). We use the Propensity Score Matching (PSM) methodology to construct a control group which, with respect to its observable characteristics, is as similar as possible to the treated group, and that allows us to identify firms which retain the same propensity to receive public subsidies. Once a valid comparison group has been established, we compare the respective performance of each firm. As a result, we find that recipient firms, on average, change their business practices, improve their performance, and increase their value added as a direct result of public subsidy programs.

Suggested Citation

  • Néstor Duch & Daniel Montolio & Mauro Mediavilla, 2007. "Evaluating the impact of public subsidies on a firm's performance: A quasi-experimental approach," Working Papers 2007/3, Institut d'Economia de Barcelona (IEB).
    • Handle: RePEc:ieb:wpaper:doc2007-3
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Nestor Duch-Brown & Jose Garcia-Quevedo & Daniel Montolio, 2008. "Assessing the assignation of public subsidies: Do the experts choose the most efficient R&D projects?," Working Papers in Economics 207, Universitat de Barcelona. Espai de Recerca en Economia.
    3. Catalina Bolancé & Zuhair Bahraoui & Ramon Alemany, 2015. "Estimating extreme value cumulative distribution functions using bias-corrected kernel approaches," Working Papers XREAP2015-01, Xarxa de Referència en Economia Aplicada (XREAP), revised Jan 2015.
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    5. Gosk Beata & Nehrebecka Natalia, 2019. "Are subsidies for Polish enterprises effective: empirical results based on panel data," Central European Economic Journal, Sciendo, vol. 6(53), pages 108-131, January.
    6. Alessandra Amendola & Marinella Boccia & Gianluca Mele & Luca Sensini, 2023. "Do fiscal policies affect the firms’ growth and performance? Urban versus rural area," Eurasian Economic Review, Springer;Eurasia Business and Economics Society, vol. 13(1), pages 1-33, March.
    7. Alessandra Amendola & Marinella Boccia & Gianluca Mele & Luca Sensini, 2020. "Fiscal Policies and Performance: Evidence from Dominican Republic firms," Journal of Applied Finance & Banking, SCIENPRESS Ltd, vol. 10(5), pages 1-16.
    8. Matas, Anna & Raymond, José-Luis & Roig, José-Luis, 2009. "Car ownership and access to jobs in Spain," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 43(6), pages 607-617, July.
    9. Christian Durán Weitkamp & Mónica Martín Bofarull & Federico Pablo Martí, 2008. "Economic effects of road accessibility in the Pyrenees: user perspective," Working Papers XREAP2008-01, Xarxa de Referència en Economia Aplicada (XREAP), revised Jan 2008.
    10. Antonio Manresa & Ferran Sancho, 2012. "Leontief versus Ghosh: two faces of the same coin," Working Papers XREAP2012-18, Xarxa de Referència en Economia Aplicada (XREAP), revised Oct 2012.
    11. Nestor Duch-Brown & Jose Garcia-Quevedo & Daniel Montolio, 2008. "Assessing the assignation of public subsidies: Do the experts choose the most efficient R&D projects?," Working Papers in Economics 207, Universitat de Barcelona. Espai de Recerca en Economia.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Evaluation studies; Firm performance; Propensity Score Matching; Public policy;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • H25 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Business Taxes and Subsidies
    • H32 - Public Economics - - Fiscal Policies and Behavior of Economic Agents - - - Firm
    • L25 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Firm Performance
    • L53 - Industrial Organization - - Regulation and Industrial Policy - - - Enterprise Policy

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