Financial Institutions and Firm Efficiency in the Gulf Cooperation Council Countries

Abstract

The aim of this study is to estimate the level of firm efficiency in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries including Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. The paper also identifies the relationship of individual firm-specific characteristics with firm efficiency in these countries. The result exhibits that the level of firm efficiency ranges from 62% to 69% in the region. However, the magnitude of this efficiency varies across different industries and among individual countries. The result also suggests that financial institutions play an insignificant role in improving firm efficiency in the region. In contrast, the level of efficiency increases as a result of improving firm's own financial performance. These findings are indeed useful for potential investors in their portfolio investment decisions, and for policymakers in initiating necessary measures to strengthen the contribution of financial institutions in the region. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]