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Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons

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Eastern European Studies

2002

Privatisation

Articles 1 - 2 of 2

Full-Text Articles in Social and Behavioral Sciences

A Spoonful Of Sugar: Privatization And Popular Support For Reform In The Czech Republic, John S. Earle, Scott G. Gehlbach Apr 2002

A Spoonful Of Sugar: Privatization And Popular Support For Reform In The Czech Republic, John S. Earle, Scott G. Gehlbach

Upjohn Institute Working Papers

We analyze the role of privatization in creating a constituency for economic reform, markets, and democratic institutions, focusing on the Czech Republic. Drawing on a 1996 survey, we examine the 1459 respondents' opinions on reforms, economic policies and systems, the legitimacy of transition, and democratic values. Using ordered probit estimation, we find that receiving property through restitution is strongly associated with support for reform and markets. Concerning voucher privatization, we find positive effects for participants retaining shares, but little impact of participation alone. Our simulations suggest that policy designs have substantial consequences for citizens' support of reforms, markets, and democracy.


Privatization Methods And Productivity Effects In Romanian Industrial Enterprises, John S. Earle, Álmos Telegdy Apr 2002

Privatization Methods And Productivity Effects In Romanian Industrial Enterprises, John S. Earle, Álmos Telegdy

Upjohn Institute Working Papers

Comprehensive panel data on privatization transactions and labor productivity in Romanian industrial corporations are used to describe the post-privatization ownership structure, and to estimate the effect of Romania's diverse privatization policies on firm performance. The econometric results show consistently positive, highly significant effects of private ownership on labor productivity growth, the point estimates imply- ing an increased 1.0 to 1.7 percentage growth for a 10 percent rise in private shareholding. The strongest estimated impacts are associated with sales to outside blockholders; insider transfers and mass privatization are estimated to have significantly smaller—although still positive—effects on firm performance.