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What Drives Firm Profitability? A Comparison of the US and EU Food Processing Industry

Author

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  • Adelina Gschwandtner
  • Stefan Hirsch

Abstract

This paper analyzes persistence and the drivers of profitability in US and EU food processing using GMM estimations. Due to different firm size structures first comparable samples of US and EU food processors are derived using Propensity Score Matching. The GMM results indicate that profit persistence in food processing is lower than in other manufacturing sectors. Firm†specific drivers of profitability are size and financial risk. Regarding industry characteristics concentration and the growth rate significantly influence profitability. The findings provide insights for the management of US and EU food processing firms aiming to enhance their competitiveness.

Suggested Citation

  • Adelina Gschwandtner & Stefan Hirsch, 2018. "What Drives Firm Profitability? A Comparison of the US and EU Food Processing Industry," Manchester School, University of Manchester, vol. 86(3), pages 390-416, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:manchs:v:86:y:2018:i:3:p:390-416
    DOI: 10.1111/manc.12201
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    Cited by:

    1. Vladislav Spitsin & Marina Ryzhkova & Darko Vukovic & Sergey Anokhin, 2020. "Companies profitability under economic instability: evidence from the manufacturing industry in Russia," Journal of Economic Structures, Springer;Pan-Pacific Association of Input-Output Studies (PAPAIOS), vol. 9(1), pages 1-20, December.
    2. Stefan Hirsch & David Lanter & Robert Finger, 2021. "Profitability and profit persistence in EU food retailing: Differences between top competitors and fringe firms," Agribusiness, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 37(2), pages 235-263, April.
    3. Adrián Rabadán & Ángela González-Moreno & Francisco J. Sáez-Martínez, 2019. "Improving Firms’ Performance and Sustainability: The Case of Eco-Innovation in the Agri-Food Industry," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(20), pages 1-16, October.
    4. Silvia Andr?s Gonz?lez-Moralejo & Mildrey Garc?a Cort?s & Juan Francisco L?pez Miquel, 2021. "Are small and medium-size food industry firms profitable? Explaining differences in their performance: The case of the Valencia Region," Economia agro-alimentare, FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 23(1), pages 1-24.
    5. Xiaoke Zhu & Qiyun Deng, 2025. "The impacts of extreme heat on wage losses: Evidence from the Chinese agri‐food industry," Agribusiness, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 41(3), pages 738-764, July.
    6. Leiv Opstad & Robin Valenta, 2023. "Profit Rate and Profit Persistence in the Norwegian Construction Industry – A Sector with Different Segments, Strong Competition and Many Small Companies," Eurasian Journal of Economics and Finance, Eurasian Publications, vol. 11(2), pages 52-61.
    7. Mercè Sala‐Ríos, 2024. "What are the determinants affecting cooperatives’ profitability? Evidence from Spain," Annals of Public and Cooperative Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 95(1), pages 85-111, March.
    8. Leiv Opstad & Johannes Idsø & Robin Valenta, 2022. "The Dynamics of the Profitability and Growth of Restaurants; The Case of Norway," Economies, MDPI, vol. 10(2), pages 1-12, February.
    9. Tsakiridis, Andreas & Mateo-Mantecón, Ingrid & O'Connor, Eamonn & Hynes, Stephen & O'Donoghue, Cathal, 2021. "Efficiency benchmarking of Irish and North Atlantic Spanish ports: Implications for blue growth," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 72(C).
    10. Andrés González-Moralejo, Silvia & García Cortés, Mildrey & López Miquel, Juan Francisco, . "Are small and medium-size food industry firms profitable? Explaining differences in their performance: The case of the Valencia Region," Economia agro-alimentare / Food Economy, Italian Society of Agri-food Economics/Società Italiana di Economia Agro-Alimentare (SIEA), vol. 23(01).
    11. Marcos Carchano & Inmaculada Carrasco & Angela González, 2025. "Examining environmental proactivity in the Spanish wine industry: The moderating role of size," Agribusiness, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 41(1), pages 127-157, January.
    12. Leiv Opstad & Johannes Idso & Robin Valenta, 2021. "The Degree of Profit Persistence in the Tourism Industry: The Case of Norwegian Campsites," International Journal of Economics & Business Administration (IJEBA), International Journal of Economics & Business Administration (IJEBA), vol. 0(4), pages 140-155.
    13. Carlos J. O. Trejo-Pech & Karen L. DeLong & Dayton M. Lambert & Vasileios Siokos, 2020. "The impact of US sugar prices on the financial performance of US sugar-using firms," Agricultural and Food Economics, Springer;Italian Society of Agricultural Economics (SIDEA), vol. 8(1), pages 1-17, December.

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • L12 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Monopoly; Monopolization Strategies
    • L66 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Manufacturing - - - Food; Beverages; Cosmetics; Tobacco
    • M21 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Economics - - - Business Economics

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