Title: The impact of privatisation on the restructuring of large companies: evidence from Romania

Authors: Aurora Trif

Addresses: Industrial Relations and Human Resources Group, College of Business and Law, University College Dublin, Carysfort Avenue, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland

Abstract: Privatisation was expected to play a key role in facilitating the restructuring of the former state-owned sector in Eastern Europe after 1989. However, empirical studies show mixed results. This study investigates whether privatised companies are more advanced than State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) in the restructuring process. It compares the experiences of four large companies in the chemical sector in Romania, two of which have been privatised and two SOEs. It focuses on ownership changes, the modifications of the decision making processes, the mechanisms of resource allocation and the market success of these companies. The findings suggest that privatisation does not necessarily lead to a deeper restructuring and a separation of profitable and non-profitable businesses.

Keywords: privatisation; corporate restructuring; case study; Romania; large companies; state-owned enterprises; SOEs; ownership changes; decision making; resource allocation; market success.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEIM.2008.022321

International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management, 2008 Vol.8 No.5, pp.565 - 580

Published online: 31 Dec 2008 *

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