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The impact of private equity on firms׳ patenting activity

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  • Amess, Kevin
  • Stiebale, Joel
  • Wright, Mike

Abstract

The paper analyses the impact of private equity (PE) backed leveraged buyouts (LBOs) on innovative output (patenting). Using a sample of 407 UK deals we find that LBOs have a positive causal effect on patent stock and quality-adjusted patent stock. Our results imply a 6% increase in quality-adjusted patent stock three years after the deal. The increase in innovative activity is concentrated among private-to-private transactions with a 14% increase in the quality-adjusted patent stock. We also find evidence suggesting that PE firms facilitate the relaxation of financial constraints. In sum, our findings suggest that PE firms do not promote short-term cost-cutting at the expense of entrepreneurial investment opportunities with a long-term pay-off.

Suggested Citation

  • Amess, Kevin & Stiebale, Joel & Wright, Mike, 2016. "The impact of private equity on firms׳ patenting activity," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 86(C), pages 147-160.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:eecrev:v:86:y:2016:i:c:p:147-160
    DOI: 10.1016/j.euroecorev.2015.08.013
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    4. Renneboog, Luc & Vansteenkiste, Cara, 2017. "Leveraged Buyouts : A Survey of the Literature," Other publications TiSEM 573ebdd5-a720-4110-8ed1-e, Tilburg University, School of Economics and Management.
    5. Aldatmaz, Serdar & Brown, Gregory W., 2020. "Private equity in the global economy: Evidence on industry spillovers," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 60(C).
    6. Jan Philip Schain & Joel Stiebale, 2021. "Innovation, institutional ownership and financial constraints," Empirical Economics, Springer, vol. 61(3), pages 1689-1697, September.
    7. Paul Lavery & Marian-Eliza Spaliara, 2022. "Private equity buyouts & firm exporting during the global financial crisis," Working Papers 2022_09, Business School - Economics, University of Glasgow.
    8. Yagi, Michiyuki & Managi, Shunsuke, 2018. "Shadow price of patent stock as knowledge stock: Time and country heterogeneity," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 60(C), pages 43-61.
    9. Paul Lavery & Jose-Maria Serena & Marina-Eliza Spaliara & Serafeim Tsoukas, 2021. "Private equity buyouts, credit constraints, and firm exports," Working Papers 2021_06, Business School - Economics, University of Glasgow.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Private equity; Leveraged buyout; Entrepreneurial buyouts; Innovation;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D22 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Firm Behavior: Empirical Analysis
    • G32 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Financing Policy; Financial Risk and Risk Management; Capital and Ownership Structure; Value of Firms; Goodwill
    • G34 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Mergers; Acquisitions; Restructuring; Corporate Governance
    • L26 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Entrepreneurship

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