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The Inverted-U hypothesis for the effect of uncertainty on investment: Evidence from UK firms

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  • Robert Lensink
  • Victor Murinde

Abstract

This paper offers the first attempt to test the inverted-U hypothesis for the effect of uncertainty on investment, implied by a number of recent theoretical studies, using a panel of UK firms. It is found that the effect of uncertainty on corporate investment is indeed approximated by an inverted-U shaped relationship: at low levels of uncertainty the effect is positive, but it becomes negative at high levels of uncertainty. This result represents the first empirical verification of the hypothesis with respect to UK firms.

Suggested Citation

  • Robert Lensink & Victor Murinde, 2006. "The Inverted-U hypothesis for the effect of uncertainty on investment: Evidence from UK firms," The European Journal of Finance, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 12(2), pages 95-105.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:eurjfi:v:12:y:2006:i:2:p:95-105
    DOI: 10.1080/13518470500145928
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Huberts, Nick F.D. & Rossi Silveira, Rafael, 2023. "How economic depreciation shapes the relationship of uncertainty with investments’ size & timing," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 260(C).
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    4. Quader, Syed Manzur, 2023. "The interplay between uncertainty, managerial decision making, and firm value: Evidence from Bangladesh," Journal of Economics and Business, Elsevier, vol. 123(C).

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