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The determinants of firm diversification in UK quoted companies

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  • Adrian Gourlay
  • Jonathan Seaton

Abstract

This paper examines the role of resource-based and governance factors in determining the boundaries of UK quoted companies, measured by both the probability and intensity of market diversification. Using a panel of over 2000 firms for the period 1988 to 2001 it is found that firm-level heterogeneity and industry characteristics account for the variability in diversification behaviour and that resource-based and governance factors interact in a complex manner not necessarily fully explained by the theoretical literature. The results also indicate that the degree of data aggregation has significant implications for the empirical modelling of market diversification.

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  • Adrian Gourlay & Jonathan Seaton, 2004. "The determinants of firm diversification in UK quoted companies," Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 36(18), pages 2059-2071.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:applec:v:36:y:2004:i:18:p:2059-2071
    DOI: 10.1080/0003684042000295610
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Paul Bishop & Peter Gripaios, 2007. "Explaining Spatial Patterns of Industrial Diversity: An Analysis of Sub-regions in Great Britain," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 44(9), pages 1739-1757, August.
    2. Joao Dias & Vitor Mendes Magrico, 2009. "The impact of resource conditions and environmental uncertainty on inter-firm alliance strategies," Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 43(6), pages 757-765.
    3. Heechul Min & Wook Sohn, 2008. "Closing inefficient affiliates: evidence from Korean conglomerates," Applied Financial Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 18(16), pages 1351-1361.
    4. Grossmann, Volker, 2007. "Firm size and diversification: Multiproduct firms in asymmetric oligopoly," International Journal of Industrial Organization, Elsevier, vol. 25(1), pages 51-67, February.
    5. Courtney B. Baggett & Cassandra R. Cole, 2023. "Insurance groups, product diversification, and the role of surplus lines affiliation," Risk Management and Insurance Review, American Risk and Insurance Association, vol. 26(1), pages 35-56, March.
    6. Ducassy, Isabelle & Prevot, Frédéric, 2010. "The effects of family dynamics on diversification strategy: Empirical evidence from French companies," Journal of Family Business Strategy, Elsevier, vol. 1(4), pages 224-235, December.
    7. Ferdaws Ezzi & Mouhamed Ali Azouzi & Anis Jarboui, 2016. "Does CEO emotional intelligence affect the performance of the diversifiable companies?," Cogent Economics & Finance, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 4(1), pages 1230958-123, December.

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