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Global evidence on the distribution of firm growth rates

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  • Williams, Michael A.
  • Pinto, Brijesh P.
  • Park, David

Abstract

The consensus finding in the literature is that the distribution of firm growth rates is best approximated by the Laplace distribution, a particular case of the Subbotin, or exponential power, family of probability distributions. Using a richer database than prior studies and testing for more theoretical distributions, we find that the distribution of firm growth rates is best approximated by the heavier-tailed Cauchy distribution.

Suggested Citation

  • Williams, Michael A. & Pinto, Brijesh P. & Park, David, 2015. "Global evidence on the distribution of firm growth rates," Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications, Elsevier, vol. 432(C), pages 102-107.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:phsmap:v:432:y:2015:i:c:p:102-107
    DOI: 10.1016/j.physa.2015.02.103
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    2. Jakub Growiec & Fabio Pammolli & Massimo Riccaboni, 2020. "Innovation and Corporate Dynamics: A Theoretical Framework," Central European Journal of Economic Modelling and Econometrics, Central European Journal of Economic Modelling and Econometrics, vol. 12(1), pages 1-45, March.
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    4. Vitezić Vanja & Srhoj Stjepan & Perić Marko, 2018. "Investigating Industry Dynamics in a Recessionary Transition Economy," South East European Journal of Economics and Business, Sciendo, vol. 13(1), pages 43-67, June.
    5. Blind, Georg D. & Lottanti von Mandach, Stefania, 2021. "Private Equity Buyouts in Japan: Effects on Employment Numbers," Journal of the Japanese and International Economies, Elsevier, vol. 59(C).
    6. Giovanni Dosi & Marco Grazzi & Daniele Moschella & Gary Pisano & Federico Tamagni, 2019. "Long-Term Firm Growth: An Empirical Analysis of US Manufacturers 1959-2015," LEM Papers Series 2019/13, Laboratory of Economics and Management (LEM), Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies, Pisa, Italy.
    7. David Vidal-Tomás & Alba Ruiz-Buforn & Omar Blanco-Arroyo & Simone Alfarano, 2022. "A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Growth and Profit Rate Distribution: The Spanish Case," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 10(6), pages 1-20, March.
    8. Oriol Valles Codina, 2020. "Economic Production as Life: A Classical Approach to Computational Social Science," Working Papers 2001, New School for Social Research, Department of Economics.
    9. Williams, Michael A. & Baek, Grace & Park, Leslie Y. & Zhao, Wei, 2016. "Global evidence on the distribution of economic profit rates," Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications, Elsevier, vol. 458(C), pages 356-363.
    10. Williams, Michael A. & Baek, Grace & Li, Yiyang & Park, Leslie Y. & Zhao, Wei, 2017. "Global evidence on the distribution of GDP growth rates," Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications, Elsevier, vol. 468(C), pages 750-758.
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