nep-cse New Economics Papers
on Economics of Strategic Management
Issue of 2007‒10‒06
eight papers chosen by
Joao Jose de Matos Ferreira
University of the Beira Interior

  1. Strategic Divisionalization, Product Differentiation and International Competition By Iwasa, Kazumichi; Kikuchi, Toru
  2. Trade Liberalization, Competition and Growth By Licandro, Omar; Navas-Ruiz, Antonio
  3. Incrementalism of environmental innovations versus paradigmatic change: A comparative study of the automotive and chemical industries By Vanessa OLTRA (GREThA); Maïder SAINT JEAN (GREThA)
  4. Environmental Policy, Innovation and Performance: New Insights on the Porter Hypothesis By Paul Lanoie; Jérémy Laurent-Lucchetti; Nick Johnstone; Stefan Ambec
  5. The Political Economy of Entrepreneurship By Douhan, Robin; Henrekson, Magnus
  6. Testing the Linkages between Trade and Productivity Growth By Claire Economidou; Antu Panini Murshid
  7. Liquidity Constraints and Entrepreneurial Performance By Hvide, Hans K; Møen, Jarle
  8. The role of financial markets and innovation in productivity and growth in Europe By Philipp Hartmann; Florian Heider; Elias Papaioannou; Marco Lo Duca

  1. By: Iwasa, Kazumichi; Kikuchi, Toru
    Abstract: In this note we construct a simple international differentiated duopoly model that involves a divisionalization decision. It will be shown that the number of third market divisions of a parent firm with a cost advantage is relatively large. The results imply that the cost competitiveness of one country’s firm will be magnified through divisionalization decisions.
    Keywords: divisionalization; product differentiation; cost competitiveness
    JEL: F12
    Date: 2007
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:5120&r=cse
  2. By: Licandro, Omar; Navas-Ruiz, Antonio
    Abstract: The aim of this paper is to understand whether international trade may enhance innovation and growth through an increase in competition. We develop a two-country endogenous growth model, both countries producing the same set of goods, with firm specific R&D and a continuum of oligopolistic sectors under Cournot competition. Since countries produce the same set of goods, trade openness makes markets more competitive, reducing prices and raising the incentives to innovate. More general, a reduction on trade barriers enhances growth by reducing domestic firms market power.
    Keywords: Competition and growth; R&D; Trade openness
    JEL: F13 F43 O3
    Date: 2007–09
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cpr:ceprdp:6500&r=cse
  3. By: Vanessa OLTRA (GREThA); Maïder SAINT JEAN (GREThA)
    Keywords: Environmental innovations; technological regime; technological paradigm; environmental regulation; automotive industry; green chemistry
    JEL: Q55 O31 L62 L65
    Date: 2007
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:grt:wpegrt:2007-14&r=cse
  4. By: Paul Lanoie; Jérémy Laurent-Lucchetti; Nick Johnstone; Stefan Ambec
    Abstract: Jaffe and Palmer (1997) present three distinct variants of the so-called Porter Hypothesis. The “weak” version of the hypothesis posits that environmental regulation will stimulate certain kinds of environmental innovations. The “narrow” version of the hypothesis asserts that flexible environmental policy regimes give firms greater incentive to innovate than prescriptive regulations, such as technology-based standards. Finally, the “strong” version posits that properly designed regulation may induce cost-saving innovation that more than compensates for the cost of compliance. In this paper, we test the significance of these different variants of the Porter Hypothesis using data on the four main elements of the hypothesised causality chain (environmental policy, research and development, environmental performance and commercial performance). The analysis is based upon a unique database which includes observations from approximately 4200 facilities in seven OECD countries. In general, we find strong support for the “weak” version, qualified support for the “narrow” version, and qualified support for the “strong” version as well. <P>Jaffe et Palmer (1997) présentent trois variantes distinctes de l’hypothèse de Porter. La version « faible » de l'hypothèse suppose que la réglementation environnementale stimulera l’apparition d’innovations dans le domaine de l’environnement. La version « étroite » de l'hypothèse affirme que les réglementations environnementales flexibles donnent aux firmes une plus grande incitation pour innover que les réglementations rigides, telles que les normes prescrivant une technologie pour une industrie donnée. Enfin, la version « forte » pose qu’une réglementation correctement conçue peut induire davantage de gains en termes d’innovation que de coûts pour se conformer à la règle. Dans cet article, nous examinons la portée de ces différentes variantes de l'hypothèse de Porter en utilisant des données sur les quatre principaux éléments de la chaîne présumée de causalité (politique environnementale, recherche et développement, performance environnementale et performance commerciale). L'analyse est fondée sur une base de données unique qui inclut des observations d'approximativement 4200 établissements dans sept pays de l’OCDE. Nos résultats supportent fortement la version « faible », mais de façon plus mitigée les versions « étroite » et « forte ».
    Keywords: Porter hypothesis, environmental policy, innovation, environmental performance, business performance., hypothèse de Porter, politique environnementale, innovation, performance environnementale, performance financière.
    JEL: L21 M14 Q52 Q55 Q58
    Date: 2007–09–01
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cir:cirwor:2007s-19&r=cse
  5. By: Douhan, Robin (Research Institute of Industrial Economics (IFN)); Henrekson, Magnus (Research Institute of Industrial Economics (IFN))
    Abstract: We outline a politico-economic growth system centered around the entrepreneur. By defining entrepreneurs in relation to economic rents we are able to develop a more general theory comprising central aspects of research within the fields of entrepreneurship/small business, public choice and new institutional economics. The entrepreneurial function is shown to depend crucially on the existing institutional framework. We also point to the necessity of viewing institutions as endogenously influenced by entrepreneurs. A typology of entrepreneurship is developed to further our understanding of the bilateral effects between institutional context and entrepreneurial activity. We use developments in modern history as a real-world context to substantiate our framework. Particular attention is devoted to the effects of enforcement of property rights and taxation, two of the most prominent institutions in the literature.
    Keywords: Entrepreneurship; Industrial Policy; Innovation; Property Rights; Regulation; Self-employment; Tax Policy
    JEL: H32 L25 L50 M13 O31 P14
    Date: 2007–09–05
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hhs:iuiwop:0716&r=cse
  6. By: Claire Economidou; Antu Panini Murshid
    Abstract: We examine the effect of trade on productivity growth using data from nine manufacturing industries across twelve OECD countries over the period 1978-1997. Since causality between productivity growth and trade share runs both ways, geographical characteristics of countries are used to instrument for average bilateral trade volumes over the 20-year period. In addition, to exploit the time-series nature of the data, we construct a panel data set and employ dynamic panel data techniques. After controlling for industry-specific heterogeneity, our results indicate that increased exposure to trade, in particular higher import volumes, exerts a positive influence on industries’ productivity growth. However, the effect is rather small.
    Keywords: Productivity Growth, Trade, Gravity Model of Trade, Manufacturing Industries
    JEL: F14 F43
    Date: 2007–03
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:use:tkiwps:0722&r=cse
  7. By: Hvide, Hans K; Møen, Jarle
    Abstract: If entrepreneurs are liquidity constrained and cannot borrow to operate on an efficient scale, those with more personal wealth should do better than those with less wealth. We investigate this hypothesis using a unique datset from Norway. Consistent with liquidity constraints being present, we find a strong positive relationship between founder prior wealth and start-up size. The relationship between prior wealth and start-up performance, as measured by profitability on assets, increases for the main bulk of the wealth distribution and decreases sharply at the top. We estimate that profitability on assets increases by about 8 percentage points from the 10th to the 75th percentile of the wealth distribution. This suggests an entrepreneurial production function with a region of increasing returns. Liquidity constraints may then stop entrepreneurs from being able to exploit a "hump" in marginal productivity. From the 75th to the 99th percentile returns drops by about 10 percentage points. This suggests that an abundance of liquidity may to do more harm than good.
    Keywords: Entrepreneurship; Household Finance; Private benefits; Start-ups; Wealth
    JEL: E44 G14 L26 M13
    Date: 2007–09
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cpr:ceprdp:6495&r=cse
  8. By: Philipp Hartmann (European Central Bank, Kaiserstrasse 29, 60311 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.); Florian Heider (European Central Bank, Kaiserstrasse 29, 60311 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.); Elias Papaioannou (European Central Bank, Kaiserstrasse 29, 60311 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.); Marco Lo Duca (European Central Bank, Kaiserstrasse 29, 60311 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.)
    Abstract: The extended period of limited growth experienced until recently in many European countries raises the issue as to which policies could be most effective in improving their economic performance. This paper argues that further financial sector reforms may be a valuable complement to ongoing efforts to reform labour and product markets. There is a long-standing view in the economic literature that well-functioning financial systems allow economies to exploit the benefits of innovation in terms of productivity and growth. Moreover, measured productivity differentials between Europe and the United States seem to originate particularly in the financial sector and from sectors that are particularly dependent on external financing. Building on and summarising the existing literature, this paper first introduces a number of concepts that are important for financial sector analyses and policies. Second, it presents a selection of indicators describing the efficiency and development of the European financial system from the perspective of a variety of dimensions. Third, an attempt is made to estimate the extent to which greater financial efficiency might improve the allocation of productive capital in Europe. While in the recent past the research and policy debate in Europe has focused on fostering financial integration, the present paper puts the main emphasis on financial development or modernisation in the context of the finance and growth literature. The results suggest that there are a number of ways in which the financial market framework conditions in Europe can be improved to increase the contribution of the financial system to innovation, productivity and growth. The most robust conclusions can be drawn for certain aspects of corporate governance, the efficiency of legal systems in resolving conflicts in financial transactions and some structural features of European bank sectors. For example, econometric estimations indicate that improving these conditions is likely to increase the size of capital markets – a summary measure of overall financial development – and thereby enhance the speed with which the financial system helps to reallocate capital from declining sectors to sectors with good growth potentials. JEL Classification: G00, O16, O43, E61.
    Date: 2007–09
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ecb:ecbops:20070072&r=cse

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