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Does the Legal Form Matter for Firm Performance in the MENA Region?

Author

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  • Ahmad, Issam Abdo

    (Lebanese American University)

  • Fakih, Ali

    (Lebanese American University)

Abstract

This paper attempts to study the relationship between firm legal form and firm performance in the Middle East and North Africa Region (MENA) using the World Bank Enterprise Survey (WBES) database. Our analysis shows that open shareholding, closed shareholding, partnership, and limited partnership companies demonstrate an advantage in terms of annual sales and annual productivity growth rates over sole proprietorship firms, and that medium-sized and large-sized firms also demonstrate an advantage over small ones. Our analysis also shows that foreign ownership, exporting activities, the usage of the web in communication with clients and suppliers, and the presence of full-time workers positively affect firm performance. These findings are robust when running the analysis for firms with female participation in ownership. This paper provides directions for strategists targeting at improving the performance of firms.

Suggested Citation

  • Ahmad, Issam Abdo & Fakih, Ali, 2021. "Does the Legal Form Matter for Firm Performance in the MENA Region?," IZA Discussion Papers 14207, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp14207
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    Cited by:

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    2. Pierre Boutros & Ali Fakih, 2022. "Drivers of Research Outcomes in Developing Countries: The Case of Lebanon," Economies, MDPI, vol. 10(3), pages 1-21, March.
    3. Hunjra, Ahmed Imran & Azam, Muhammad & Bruna, Maria Giuseppina & Bouri, Elie, 2023. "A cross-regional investigation of institutional quality and sustainable development," Journal of International Financial Markets, Institutions and Money, Elsevier, vol. 84(C).
    4. Al-Fayoumi, Nedal & Bouri, Elie & Abuzayed, Bana, 2023. "Decomposed oil price shocks and GCC stock market sector returns and volatility," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 126(C).
    5. Mahmoud Arayssi & Ali Fakih & Nathir Haimoun, 2023. "Skill Mismatch, Nepotism, Job Satisfaction, and Young Females in the MENA Region," Econometrics, MDPI, vol. 11(2), pages 1-20, June.
    6. Abdo Ahmad, Issam & Fakih, Ali & Hammoud, Mohammad, 2023. "Parents' perceptions of their children's mental health during COVID-19: Evidence from Canada," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 337(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    MENA region; firm performance; legal form;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C10 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods and Methodology: General - - - General
    • G30 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - General
    • L25 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Firm Performance

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