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Profitability, Diversification, and Multinationality in Leading German and UK Firms

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  • Catherine Matraves

    (Department of Economics, Michigan State University, U.S.A.)

  • Peter Rodriguez

    (Darden Graduate School of Business Administration, University of Virginia, U.S.A.)

Abstract

This paper analyzes the relationship between product and geographic diversification and profitability in leading German and UK firms. Using a unique and disaggregated dataset, we first link a firm¡¦s level of product and geographic diversification to both industry and firm-specific factors. The impact of the Single European Market and industry type are found to be important in explaining diversification levels. Secondly, during the early 1990s, we find evidence of a curvilinear relationship between profitability and product diversification for German firms but between profitability and geographic diversification for UK firms. Diversification and multinationality are found to be complementary strategies for German firms but substitute strategies for UK firms.

Suggested Citation

  • Catherine Matraves & Peter Rodriguez, 2005. "Profitability, Diversification, and Multinationality in Leading German and UK Firms," International Journal of Business and Economics, School of Management Development, Feng Chia University, Taichung, Taiwan, vol. 4(2), pages 87-105, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:ijb:journl:v:4:y:2005:i:2:p:87-105
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    Cited by:

    1. Zúñiga-Vicente, José Ángel & Benito-Osorio, Diana & Guerras-Martín, Luis Ángel & Colino, Alberto, 2019. "The effects of international diversification on the link between product diversification and performance in a boom and bust cycle: Evidence from Spanish firms (1994–2014)," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 25(4).
    2. Brock, David M. & Yaffe, Tal & Dembovsky, Mark, 2006. "International diversification and performance: A study of global law firms," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 12(4), pages 473-489, December.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    profitability; diversification; multinationality;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • L10 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - General
    • L23 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Organization of Production

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