Government grants and value added creation in Italian firms. An empirical analysis
This study investigates how government grants impact on the value added (VA) creation in beneficiary firms. The analysis compares the accounting performance realised during the period 2002-2009 by two groups of Italian manufacturing firms, similar in many respects with the exception that only one control group benefits from external subsidies. The results of various statistical tests reinforce each other in showing that the receipt of government grants does not increase the level of VA added of beneficiary firms. In addition, as the amount of government grants increases, it appears a decrease in the VA. This evidence significantly questions the real effectiveness of such policies in supporting the business sector.
