A firm-level field experiment tested whether Vietnamese companies would comply better with government regulations if given the chance to provide feedback. Firms received no advance information but were offered opportunities during regulatory processes.
The results showed three clear impacts of this approach:
Treated firms had more positive views about the government's authority
These companies allowed auditors easier access to their facilities
Factories showed greater adherence to regulatory standards
Interestingly, these outcomes occurred without any substantive comments being exchanged. The mere opportunity for input influenced behavior and perceptions, demonstrating a powerful effect.
| Participation, Government Legitimacy, and Regulatory Compliance in Emerging Economies: A Firm-Level Field Experiment in Vietnam was authored by Edmund Malesky and Markus Taussig. It was published by Cambridge in APSR in 2018. |
