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Changes of firm size distribution: The case of Korea

Author

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  • Kang, Sang Hoon
  • Jiang, Zhuhua
  • Cheong, Chongcheul
  • Yoon, Seong-Min

Abstract

In this paper, the distribution and inequality of firm sizes is evaluated for the Korean firms listed on the stock markets. Using the amount of sales, total assets, capital, and the number of employees, respectively, as a proxy for firm sizes, we find that the upper tail of the Korean firm size distribution can be described by power-law distributions rather than lognormal distributions. Then, we estimate the Zipf parameters of the firm sizes and assess the changes in the magnitude of the exponents. The results show that the calculated Zipf exponents over time increased prior to the financial crisis, but decreased after the crisis. This pattern implies that the degree of inequality in Korean firm sizes had severely deepened prior to the crisis, but lessened after the crisis. Overall, the distribution of Korean firm sizes changes over time, and Zipf’s law is not universal but does hold as a special case.

Suggested Citation

  • Kang, Sang Hoon & Jiang, Zhuhua & Cheong, Chongcheul & Yoon, Seong-Min, 2011. "Changes of firm size distribution: The case of Korea," Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications, Elsevier, vol. 390(2), pages 319-327.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:phsmap:v:390:y:2011:i:2:p:319-327
    DOI: 10.1016/j.physa.2010.10.007
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    3. Montebruno, Piero & Bennett, Robert J. & van Lieshout, Carry & Smith, Harry, 2019. "A tale of two tails: Do Power Law and Lognormal models fit firm-size distributions in the mid-Victorian era?," Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications, Elsevier, vol. 523(C), pages 858-875.
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    6. Qigang Yuan & Yanping Zhao & Hui Shang & Wei Zhang & Zaghum Umar, 2016. "Financing constraints on the size distribution of industrial firms: the Chinese experience," Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 48(41), pages 3899-3911, September.
    7. Gao, Baojun & Chan, Wai Kin (Victor) & Li, Hongyi, 2015. "On the increasing inequality in size distribution of China's listed companies," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 36(C), pages 25-41.

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