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Does Family Control Affect Trade Performance? Evidence for Italian Firms

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Author Info
Giorgio Barba Navaretti () (University of Milan and Centro Studi Luca d\'Agliano)
Riccardo Faini (University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Centro Studi Luca d\'Agliano and CEPR)
Alessandra Tucci () (Centre for Economic Performance, LSE and Centro Studi Luca d\'Agliano)

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Abstract

This paper examines whether the export decision of firms is affected by their ownership structure, specifically it looks at whether family control is an obstacle to entering foreign markets. The underlying assumption is that family firms are risk averse. Risk aversion may be an obstacle to entering foreign markets, as far as these are perceived as more volatile and risky than the domestic one, particularly when such choice entices bearing relatively high sunk costs. We develop an illustrative theoretical model that shows how the combination between high risk aversion and low initial productivity may hinder family firms’ decision to enter foreign markets, particularly distant ones. The empirical analysis, based on a detailed panel data set of Italian firms covering the years from 1995 to 2003, confirms such predictions by showing that family controlled firms do indeed export less than other type of companies even after controlling for firm heterogeneity in productivity, size, technology and access to credit.

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Paper provided by Centro Studi Luca d\'Agliano, University of Milano in its series Development Working Papers with number 260.

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Length: 36
Date of creation: 27 Oct 2008
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Handle: RePEc:csl:devewp:260

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Find related papers by JEL classification:
F1 - International Economics - - Trade
F14 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Country and Industry Studies of Trade
L2 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior

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  1. Leech, Dennis & Leahy, John, 1991. "Ownership Structure, Control Type Classifications and the Performance of Large British Companies," Economic Journal, Royal Economic Society, vol. 101(409), pages 1418-37, November. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
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  2. William Greene, 2004. "Interpreting Estimated Parameters and Measuring Individual Heterogeneity in Random Coefficient Models," Working Papers 04-08, New York University, Leonard N. Stern School of Business, Department of Economics. [Downloadable!]
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  3. Tversky, Amos & Kahneman, Daniel, 1991. "Loss Aversion in Riskless Choice: A Reference-Dependent Model," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, MIT Press, vol. 106(4), pages 1039-61, November. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
  4. Rafael La Porta & Florencio Lopez-De-Silanes & Andrei Shleifer, 1999. "Corporate Ownership Around the World," Journal of Finance, American Finance Association, vol. 54(2), pages 471-517, 04. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
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  5. Luigi Guiso & Giuseppe Parigi, 1999. "Investment And Demand Uncertainty," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, MIT Press, vol. 114(1), pages 185-227, February. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
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