Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
Faculty of Social Sciences, Allameh Tabataba'i University
Abstract
The present paper posits "corporate welfare" as a realm where companies exert influence on the state to secure various financial and non-financial support, potentially aligning with, or deviating from, broader state economic and industrial objectives. Examining the dynamics of corporate welfare can not only illuminate the nature of state-firm relations, but also offer insights into the evolution of social welfare and provide a holistic understanding of the welfare state encompassing both its social and corporate dimensions. This research employs a case study approach, focusing on a specific government commission in Iran and its transformation from 1997 to 2021. Through document analysis and content analysis, we aim to depict the multifaceted nature of corporate welfare in Iran, uncovering its evolving forms, dimensions, and resource allocation patterns. Preliminary findings suggest that loan disbursements, debt restructuring, and deferrals constitute the prevalent forms of corporate welfare during the six presidential administrations under investigation. Notably, these interventions not only persisted but also expanded, exhibiting notable generosity. Furthermore, we observe an institutional leap, transforming the initial ministerial commission into a legally sanctioned entity with provincial working groups by the end of the study period. However, a concerning lack of industrial targeting and the prevalence of non-conditional, untested, and sometimes bulk aid distributions characterize the observed corporate welfare practices. Moreover, no mechanisms for evaluating the effectiveness of these interventions were identified.
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