Divide and Privatize: Firm Break-up and Performance

We analyze the long-term effects of firm break-up and ownership change on corporate performance. Our analysis is based on a unique data set for a large number of Czech firms spanning the period 1996–2005. We employ a propensity score matching procedure to deal with endogeneity problems. Our results, which are generally in line with the positive effects of firm break-up found in the developed-market literature, show that the initial effects of firm break-up are positive but after a certain point they quickly diminish over time. Factors like changes in ownership structure and management are to be found behind later improvements in the performance of firms.