Essays on the Impact of Competition on Efficiency, Profitability, Stability, and Corporate Social Responsibility in Banks in the MENA Region

Abstract

Empirical evidence on the influence of competition on efficiency, profitability, stability, and corporate social responsibility (CSR) is controversial. The Quiet Life hypothesis reveals a positive connection between competition and banking efficiency, while the Banking Specificities hypothesis implies that more competition among banks is detrimental to efficiency. Regarding stability, the competition-stability theory argues that increased competition in the banking sector is associated with a decrease in credit risk. In contrast, the competition-fragility theory argues that low-competition markets can improve bank solvency by increasing profit margins. Lastly, Stakeholder theory indicates that as competition increases, companies enhance their CSR commitments. Hence, this thesis explores how competition affects the efficiency, profitability, stability, and CSR of banks in the MENA region.