Does oil price uncertainty affect corporate total factor productivity? Evidence from China

Abstract

In the era of high-quality economic development, oil price uncertainty (OVX) and the total factor productivity (TFP) of corporations are pivotal issues for both policymakers and scholars. This study leverages the implied volatility of oil prices and financial data from Chinese listed industrial companies spanning 2010 to 2022 to investigate the influence of OVX on firms’ TFP and the underlying mechanisms. The findings reveal that OVX substantially dampens firms’ TFP, with corporate leverage and financialization identified as key channels through which this impact occurs. Further heterogeneity analysis indicates that the negative impact of OVX on TFP is particularly pronounced in firms operating in industries with low concentration and among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The extension analysis suggests a threshold effect in the relationship between OVX and corporate TFP, with the suppressive effect of OVX on TFP intensifying as the level of corporate financialization increases. Consequently, it is imperative for policymakers to closely monitor oil price fluctuations and implement timely strategies to mitigate the risks associated with OVX.