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The Law of Proportionate Effect: A test based on the graphical model methodology

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  • Guerzoni, Marco
  • Riso, Luigi
  • Vivarelli, Marco

Abstract

Using both regression analysis and an unsupervised graphical model approach (never applied before to this issue), we confirm the rejection of the Gibrat's law when our firm-level data are considered over the entire investigated period, while the opposite is true when we allow for market selection. Indeed, the growth behavior of the re-shaped (smaller) population of the survived most efficient firms is in line with the Law of Proportionate Effect; this evidence reconciles early and current literature testing Gibrat's law and may have interesting implications in terms of both applied and theoretical research.

Suggested Citation

  • Guerzoni, Marco & Riso, Luigi & Vivarelli, Marco, 2023. "The Law of Proportionate Effect: A test based on the graphical model methodology," GLO Discussion Paper Series 1248, Global Labor Organization (GLO).
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:glodps:1248
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Blandina Oliveira & Adelino Fortunato, 2006. "Testing Gibrat's Law: Empirical Evidence from a Panel of Portuguese Manufacturing Firms," International Journal of the Economics of Business, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 13(1), pages 65-81.
    2. Evans, David S, 1987. "The Relationship between Firm Growth, Size, and Age: Estimates for 100 Manufacturing Industries," Journal of Industrial Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 35(4), pages 567-581, June.
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    5. Julie Ann Elston & Alois Weidinger, 2023. "An empirical examination of firm growth in the MENA region through the lens of Gibrat’s law," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 60(1), pages 121-131, January.
    6. Pakes, Ariel & Ericson, Richard, 1998. "Empirical Implications of Alternative Models of Firm Dynamics," Journal of Economic Theory, Elsevier, vol. 79(1), pages 1-45, March.
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    10. Francesca Lotti & Enrico Santarelli & Marco Vivarelli, 2003. "Does Gibrat's Law hold among young, small firms?," Journal of Evolutionary Economics, Springer, vol. 13(3), pages 213-235, August.
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    12. Sven-Olov Daunfeldt & Niklas Elert, 2013. "When is Gibrat’s law a law?," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 41(1), pages 133-147, June.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Gibrat's Law; firm survival; market selection; firm growth;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • L11 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Production, Pricing, and Market Structure; Size Distribution of Firms

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