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The Liability of Volatility and How it Changes Over Time Among New Ventures

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  • Erik Lundmark
  • Alex Coad
  • Julian S. Frankish
  • David J. Storey

Abstract

This article theorizes how short-term revenue volatility affects new venture viability and how such volatility develops over time. Tracking the bank accounts of 6,578 new ventures over a 10-year period, we find that, even after controlling for a range of other factors, short-term revenue volatility is a strong predictor of venture exit. Although short-term revenue volatility is associated with the depletion of buffer resources and financial default, surviving ventures do not, on average, decrease their short-term revenue volatility over time. However, short-term revenue volatility decreases at the cohort level due to higher exit rates of volatile ventures.

Suggested Citation

  • Erik Lundmark & Alex Coad & Julian S. Frankish & David J. Storey, 2020. "The Liability of Volatility and How it Changes Over Time Among New Ventures," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 44(5), pages 933-963, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:entthe:v:44:y:2020:i:5:p:933-963
    DOI: 10.1177/1042258719867564
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    Cited by:

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    3. Atzmon, Morane Batya & Vanderstraeten, Johanna & Albers, Sascha, 2022. "Small-firm growth-enabling capabilities: A framework for young technology-based firms," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 117(C).
    4. Seigner, Benedikt David Christian & Milanov, Hana & Lundmark, Erik & Shepherd, Dean A., 2023. "Tweeting like Elon? Provocative language, new-venture status, and audience engagement on social media," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 38(2).
    5. Alex Coad, 2022. "Lumps, Bumps and Jumps in the Firm Growth Process," Foundations and Trends(R) in Entrepreneurship, now publishers, vol. 18(4), pages 212-267, April.
    6. Sofia Fonseca & Maria João Guedes & Vítor Conceição Gonçalves, 2022. "Profitability and size of newly established firms," International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, Springer, vol. 18(2), pages 957-974, June.

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