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Business Groups as Knowledge-Based Hierarchies of Firms

Author

Listed:
  • Ottaviano, Gianmarco
  • Altomonte, Carlo
  • Rungi, Armando
  • Sonno, Tommaso

Abstract

Hierarchical differentiation is a cornerstone of the organizing process. In this paper, we do three things. First, exploiting a newly assembled dataset, we provide the first worldwide overview of the patterns of hierarchical differentiation across Business Groups (BGs), highlighting the coexistence of different hierarchical shapes. Second, we show how the different shapes can arise as optimal hierarchical structures in a knowledge-based model of BGs when subsidiaries’ operations involve ubiquitous problem solving under parents’ supervision. Three primitive characteristics of a BG determine its optimal choice of hierarchical structure: production efficiency and two dimensions of problem solving efficiency related to supervising knowledge creation and handling associated communication across subsidiaries. Third, we check the consistency of the model’s predictions with the empirical patterns for Europe, the US, and the world. The model successfully passes the consistency test.

Suggested Citation

  • Ottaviano, Gianmarco & Altomonte, Carlo & Rungi, Armando & Sonno, Tommaso, 2021. "Business Groups as Knowledge-Based Hierarchies of Firms," CEPR Discussion Papers 16677, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    • Handle: RePEc:cpr:ceprdp:16677
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    2. Calligaris, Sara & Chaves, Miguel & Criscuolo, Chiara & De Lyon, Joshua & Greppi, Andrea & Pallanch, Oliviero, 2024. "Industry concentration in Europe: Trends and methodological insights," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 126768, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    3. Stefania Miricola & Armando Rungi & Gianluca Santoni, 2023. "One Call Away. Ownership Chains and Ease of Communication in Multinational Enterprises," Papers 2305.12857, arXiv.org, revised Jan 2026.
    4. Manon Francois & Vincent Vicard, 2023. "Tax avoidance and the complexity of multinational enterprises," Working Papers 015, EU Tax Observatory.
    5. Altomonte, Carlo & El-Mallakh, Nevine & Sonno, Tommaso, 2024. "Business groups, strategic acquisitions and innovation," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 126757, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    6. Stefania Miricola & Armando Rungi & Gianluca Santoni, 2025. "Ownership Chains in Multinational Enterprises," Working Papers 2025-05, CEPII research center.
    7. Manon François & Vincent Vicard, 2023. "Tax Avoidance and the Complexity of Multinational Enterprises," Working Papers halshs-04103793, HAL.
    8. Basco, Sergi & Felice, Giulia & Merlevede, Bruno & Mestieri, Martí, 2024. "Financial crises and the global supply network: Evidence from multinational enterprises," Journal of International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 152(C).

    More about this item

    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • D23 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Organizational Behavior; Transaction Costs; Property Rights
    • L23 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Organization of Production
    • F23 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - Multinational Firms; International Business
    • L25 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Firm Performance
    • G34 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Mergers; Acquisitions; Restructuring; Corporate Governance

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