International oil price uncertainty and enterprise investment efficiency: An empirical research of listed companies in China

This article investigates the effect of international oil price uncertainty on investment efficiency using quarterly data of Chinese A-share listed companies from 2011 to 2020. It is discovered that uncertainty about oil prices increases principal-agent conflicts and information asymmetry in enterprises, leads to more inefficient investment, and ultimately lowers firms' investment efficiency. Furthermore, China's unique property rights foundation, firm size, and life cycle limit the aforementioned consequences. Additional investigation reveals that by raising companies' cash reserves, oil price uncertainty exacerbates overinvestment behavior. The study presented in this article can serve as a guide for businesses looking to make the best decisions in the context of volatile global oil prices and support their long-term, stable development.