Determinants of SME growth

2016 ◽  
Vol 39 (9) ◽  
pp. 966-986 ◽  
Author(s):  
Habib Kachlami ◽  
Darush Yazdanfar
Keyword(s):  
Random Effects ◽  
Financial Institutions ◽  
Significant Influence ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Explanatory Power ◽  
Ordinary Least Squares ◽  
Firm Level ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Content Type

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to study the firm-level financial variables affecting the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Design/methodology/approach The study applies a resource-based view to analyze the firm-level as well as industry-level determinants of SME growth. Empirical evidence has also been provided from a data set of SMEs in Sweden to support the hypotheses. For a robust statistical analysis, three models – ordinary least squares (OLS) regression, random-effects regression and fixed-effects regression – are used to examine the influence of explanatory variables on growth. Findings The findings of this study show a positive and significant influence of profitability, short-term debt and size on a firm’s growth across all three models. Results regarding the influence of long-term debt on growth, however, are mixed. While the results of a fixed-effect model show the negative and significant influence of long-term debt on growth, the results according to OLS and random effects show long-term debt positively related to growth. Research limitations/implications This study has been conducted over a period of four years and in the context of Sweden which may limit the generalizability of its results for longer periods and for different contexts. Moreover, the low explanatory power of the models implies the need to also consider other types of variables, such as managerial or socio-economic variables, to better explain the determinants of SME growth. Practical implications Understanding the determinants of growth can be important for policy makers, SME managers and financial institutions. The findings of this study can be used for designing policies which stimulate SME growth. Realizing the financial resources that influence growth can also help SME managers and financial institutions to understand each other’s need for better cooperation. Originality/value This paper applies different models for analyzing large and cross-sectoral data regarding SME growth in the context of Sweden.

scholarly journals Reverse educational spillovers at the firm level

2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 80-106 ◽  
Author(s):  
Uschi Backes-Gellner ◽  
Christian Rupietta ◽  
Simone N. Tuor Sartore
Keyword(s):  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Spillover Effect ◽  
Spillover Effects ◽  
Ordinary Least Squares ◽  
Vocational Education And Training ◽  
Academic Education ◽  
Firm Level ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Education Academic

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine spillover effects across differently educated workers. For the first time, the authors consider “reverse” spillover effects, i.e. spillover effects from secondary-educated workers with dual vocational education and training (VET) to tertiary-educated workers with academic education. The authors argue that, due to structural differences in training methodology and content, secondary-educated workers with VET degrees have knowledge that tertiary academically educated workers do not have. Design/methodology/approach The authors use data from a large employer-employee data set: the Swiss Earnings Structure Survey. The authors estimate ordinary least squares and fixed effects panel-data models to identify such “reverse” spillover effects. Moreover, the authors consider the endogenous workforce composition. Findings The authors find that tertiary-educated workers have higher productivity when working together with secondary-educated workers with VET degrees. The instrumental variable estimations support this finding. The functional form of the reverse spillover effect is inverted-U-shaped. This means that at first the reverse spillover effect from an additional secondary-educated worker is positive but diminishing. Research limitations/implications The results imply that firms need to combine different types of workers because their different kinds of knowledge produce spillover effects and thereby lead to overall higher productivity. Originality/value The traditional view of spillover effects assumes that tertiary-educated workers create spillover effects toward secondary-educated workers. However, the authors show that workers who differ in their type of education (academic vs vocational) may also create reverse spillover effects.

Firm-level agreements, employment strategies and temporary workers

2020 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 194-212
Author(s):  
Saverio Minardi
Keyword(s):  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Selection Process ◽  
Temporary Employment ◽  
Least Square ◽  
Temporary Workers ◽  
Firm Level ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Collective Agreements ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of two-tier firm-level collective agreements on firms’ propensity to use temporary employment, accounting for the process of self-selection of firms into different bargaining levels in the Italian context. It further examines which firm-level characteristics drive this process of selection. Design/methodology/approach The empirical analysis uses a panel data set of Italian firms for the years 2005, 2007, 2010 and 2015. Estimations are produced and compared through ordinary least square regression, random-effects and fixed-effects models. Findings Results show that enterprises adopting two-tier firm-level agreements (TTFA) are associated with lower levels of temporary workers. However, a longitudinal analysis suggests that introducing a TTFA does not impact firms’ propensity to employ temporary workers. This novel finding highlights the presence of a selection process based on firm-level time-constant characteristics. The paper argues that these characteristics refer to management orientation toward high-road rather than low-road employment strategies. Further evidence is brought in support of this claim, showing that firms’ propensity toward the provision of training for their labor force partially explain the process of selection. Originality/value The study is the first to analyze the impact of secondary-level collective agreements on firms’ reliance on temporary employment, offering new evidence on the causes of the expansion of temporary employment. It further highlights the relevance of employers’ strategies in shaping the impact of the bargaining structure.

scholarly journals Which aspects of CSR predict firm market value?

2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 50-69 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stevan Bajic ◽  
Burcin Yurtoglu
Keyword(s):  
Firm Value ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Market Value ◽  
Ordinary Least Squares ◽  
Specific Aspect ◽  
Social Dimension ◽  
Omitted Variables ◽  
Firm Level ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Social

Purpose There is evidence that corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices predict higher firm value, but little evidence on which specific aspects of CSR drive this relationship. The purpose of this paper is to study this question in a sample drawn from 35 countries over 2003-2016. Design/methodology/approach The authors employ a research design that analyzes observational data with panel data methods including ordinary least squares, firm-random effects, and firm-fixed effects. Findings The authors find in a sample drawn from 35 countries over 2003-2016 an economically significant relationship between an overall CSR measure and firm value. The overall CSR score builds on data from Asset4 and is comprised of three indices for environmental, social, and corporate governance aspects of CSR. The authors find that the social index consistently predicts higher market value. The authors also show that the use of particular elements of CSR can lead to substantial omitted variables bias when predicting firm value. The results also suggest a similar bias in studies that focus on a single index, which captures a specific aspect of CSR, but omits the remaining aspects. Research limitations/implications The study is subject to limitations common to observational studies. Practical implications The authors find robust evidence that CSR predicts market value using a country-benchmarked overall CSR index. The power to predict firm value comes solely from the social dimension of this measure, which captures firm-level practices related to treatment of employees and stakeholder relations including those with customers and the broader community. Three elements drive the social index: customer/product responsibility, human rights, and employment quality. None of the remaining 12 elements significantly predicts firm vale in an empirical setting with firm-FE and extensive covariates. The authors also show that omitted aspects of CSR can easily lead to an omitted variable bias and that the magnitude of this bias is potentially greater with an OLS specification. Social implications Among the many dimensions of CSR, only a subset drives firm value. Policies that target to improve the CSR performance of firms adopt a broader definition of CSR. Originality/value The authors provide first-hand evidence on which specific aspects of CSR drive firm market value.

M&A effects on innovation and profitability in large European firms

2019 ◽  
Vol 57 (1) ◽  
pp. 100-114 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Fernández ◽  
Ángela Triguero ◽  
Esteban Alfaro-Cortés
Keyword(s):  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Electrical Equipment ◽  
Potential Effect ◽  
Merger Control ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Firm Level ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Control Authority

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the effects of mergers and acquisitions (M&As) on innovation and profitability in large European firms. Design/methodology/approach Using information from a unique micro-longitudinal database of top European R&D investors and information from the European Commission (EC) Merger Control Authority, dynamic panel estimations with firm-level fixed effects are performed. Moreover, the paper presents a qualitative case study of a merger in the European electronic and electrical equipment industry. Findings The analysis of a sample of 562 M&As authorized by the EC Merger Control Authority shows that mergers positively influence the R&D intensity and profitability of top companies in the European Union over the period 2004–2012. Furthermore, empirical evidence shows that the timing and magnitude of these effects differs. In particular, the positive effect of mergers on R&D intensity is found for the short and large term while they influence profitability only in the large term. Originality/value This paper makes several contributions. First, unlike other studies on this topic, it investigates the effects of M&As using firm-level panel data on the top 1,000 European R&D companies instead of only examining a case study. Second, a unique data set has been used, which collects information on large European firms from the European Industrial R&D Investment Scoreboard and the EC antitrust authority. Finally, the paper accounts for the casual link between innovation effort and profitability when evaluating the potential effect of M&As on the R&D intensity and profitability of large European firms.

Fertility, female labor participation and income in East Asia

2018 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-86
Author(s):  
Yoko Nakagaki
Keyword(s):  
East Asia ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Ordinary Least Squares ◽  
Low Fertility ◽  
Labor Participation ◽  
Female Labor ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Fertility Recovery

PurposeThis study aims to apply two recently discovered relationships that describe fertility recovery in developed countries to East Asia: the U-shaped relationship between fertility and FLP (female labor participation) and the inverse-J-shaped relationship between fertility and income.Design/methodology/approachIt uses a panel data set of 176 countries including 13 East Asian countries from 1990 to 2014. Pooled ordinary least squares, fixed-effects and random-effects models are tested.FindingsThe main findings are the following points concerning East Asia: The U-shape and the inverse-J-shape are confirmed, suggesting that fertility recovery could be realized if both FLP and income are high enough and increasing; in the region, the U-shape is peculiar. Lower-income countries’ data move from the upper-right to the bottom, whereas higher-income countries’ data move from the upper-left to the bottom; no country in the region has reached the stage where both FLP and income are high enough.Originality/valueThis is the first paper on East Asia to show the U-shape and the inverse-J-shape concerning fertility recovery and the peculiarity of the U-shape in East Asia. It explains the background of low fertility using the relationship between fertility, FLP and income.

Firm level profitability determinants in Indian drugs and pharmaceutical industry

2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 271-290 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shilpi Tyagi ◽  
D.K. Nauriyal
Keyword(s):  
Pharmaceutical Industry ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Positive Influence ◽  
Working Environment ◽  
Raw Material ◽  
Investment Strategies ◽  
Firm Level ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Fixed Effects Regression

Purpose This paper aims to analyze the firm level determinants of profitability of Indian drug and pharmaceutical industry which is known for historically weak R&D initiatives. Design/methodology/approach The change in the economic environment brought out by the Trade-Related Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) compliance, this industry was found to have fast adjusted to a new working environment by substantially modifying its strategies. This study aims at using inflation-adjusted panel data for a period 2000-2013 and applies the fixed effects regression model with cluster standard errors. Findings The study has found that export intensity, A&M intensity, firm’s market power and stronger patent regime dummy have exercised positive influence on profitability. The negative and statistically significant influence of R&D intensity and raw material import intensity points to the need for firms to adopt suitable investment strategies. Research limitations/implications The study suggests that firms are required to pay far more attention to optimize their operating expenditures, advertisement and marketing expenditures and improve their export orientation, as part of the long-term strategy. Originality/value This study uses a recent data-set to analyze the firm level profitability determinants in the Indian pharmaceutical industry and captures the effect of change in profitability pre and post-TRIPS.

scholarly journals Role of human capital and foreign direct investment in promoting economic growth

2015 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  
pp. 98-111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Azam ◽  
Ather Maqsood Ahmed
Keyword(s):  
Economic Growth ◽  
Human Capital ◽  
Foreign Direct Investment ◽  
Random Effects ◽  
Direct Investment ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Set Covering ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Education And Health

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to validate the Endogenous Growth Model by examining the impacts of Human Capital (HK) and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) on economic growth in ten countries from Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). Design/methodology/approach – For empirical investigation, a linear regression model based on growth theory and panel data set covering the time-period from 1993 to 2011 are used. Fixed and random effects models are applied. On the basis of the Hausman test, the fixed effects model has been preferred over the random effects model. Findings – The results support the hypothesis of the study by confirming that HK development is critical for economic growth. Similarly, FDI has been found to have a facilitating role in promoting growth in the former Soviet Republics now comprising Central Asian independent economies. This is despite of the fact that there are country-specific differences across CIS. Practical implications – The findings suggest that investment climate in the host countries must be enriched through suitable policies. Improved domestic conditions not only enhance the performance of multinational corporations but also allow host economies to reap greater benefits of FDI inflows. Moreover, the findings demonstrate that investment in both education and health are indispensable. Therefore, improved levels of education and health should be the primary objective running concurrently with other factors in order to stimulate economic growth. Originality/value – The choice of CIS has been made because very little research has been found for the region particularly in the area of economic growth despite strong evidence of commonality in terms of landlocked geographical layout and economic and political structures of these economies. The region has gained importance gradually after independence of these states; and it has started to attract foreign funds in the shape of FDI only recently. Thus, there is a need to evaluate the future prospects pertaining to the importance of FDI and HK on growth performance of these economies and will insistently contribute to the literature.

Long-term focus and attitude toward entrepreneurial behaviors: the moderating effect of industry-clockspeed

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nischal Thapa ◽  
Puspa Shah
Keyword(s):  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Moderating Effect ◽  
Least Squares Regression ◽  
Conference Calls ◽  
Firm Level ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Industry Clockspeed ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
The Empirical Analysis

Purpose This study aims to identify and examine the antecedents of attitude toward entrepreneurial behaviors (ATEB) of firms. Additionally, this study also identifies and examines the antecedents of innovativeness and proactiveness. Furthermore, this study explains how factors within and outside the organization affect ATEB, innovativeness and proactiveness. Design/methodology/approach This study uses the attention-based view (ABV) and examines the effects of long-term focus and industry clockspeed on attitude toward firms’ entrepreneurial behaviors (EB). This study measures ATEB by analyzing the top management team’s words in the earnings conference calls. It applies the two-stage least squares regression with fixed effects and instrumental variables to conduct the empirical analysis. Findings The results indicate that the direct effects of long-term focus and industry clockspeed on ATEB are not significant. However, the moderating effect of industry clockspeed on the relationship between long-term focus and EB is significant and positive. The results indicate that firms that are operating in fast clockspeed industries exhibiting long-term focus exhibit EB. Furthermore, the results also indicate that long-term focus and industry clockspeed collectively affect innovativeness and proactiveness. Practical implications This research helps firms to develop entrepreneurial behavior operating under various task environment conditions. Originality/value This study applies the ABV of the firm and contributes to the area of firm-level EB, while prior studies have not implemented this perspective in investigating firm-level EB. Past studies have not applied the ABV of the firm to study EB, innovativeness and proactiveness either independently or collectively.

An empirical study of the internal factors influencing the application of compensation incentives in SMEs

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gábor Balogh ◽  
Norbert Sipos ◽  
András Rideg
Keyword(s):  
Logistic Regression ◽  
System Development ◽  
Explanatory Power ◽  
Reference Points ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Firm Level ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Compensation Incentives

Purpose Competitiveness is a multidimensional construct, related to a number of external and internal company factors. This paper aims to provide empirical evidence on the relationship between the application of small- and medium-sized enterprises’ (SMEs) compensation incentives as an index/element of human system development and competitiveness. Design/methodology/approach A unique primary data set drawn from the Global Competitiveness Project on SMEs’ competitiveness was analysed, using cross-sectional data of 784 firms. First, descriptive statistics were used to show the data set peculiarities. Second, a forward logistic regression was applied to show the effects on the application of compensation incentives. A 25.1% of explanatory power was found by targeting the application of compensation systems by 7 firm-level principal factors and 30 control variables. Findings The findings suggest that there is a higher chance of the application of compensation incentives in cases when the employees possess a more substantial tacit knowledge and formal and informal relationship networks. It is also positively impacted by the higher level of intra-company manifestation of knowledge. Research limitations/implications The research was conducted among SMEs from eight countries, based on a unique questionnaire designed for small enterprises. The respective countries are from Europe and Latin America, which serve as a reference category for Hungary. Also, there is a high level of 0 answers for the involved variables. The binary logistic regression methodology is suitable for filtering out some of these; nevertheless, the proportion of uncertain factors remains high as it is indicated by the explanatory power. Originality/value The majority of the literature is dealing with large companies in the topic of competitiveness, whereas in this data set, a deeper analysis was carried out among SMEs from eight countries, comparing their results to the Hungarian ones. The findings can be used as reference points for future studies, and the understanding of the HR cycle within SMEs.

scholarly journals Factors associated with the structural liquidity of banks in Brazil

2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (80) ◽  
pp. 252-267
Author(s):  
Vanessa Rodrigues dos Santos Cardoso ◽  
Lorena Almeida Campos ◽  
José Alves Dantas ◽  
Otávio Ribeiro de Medeiros
Keyword(s):  
Least Squares ◽  
Financial Institutions ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Ordinary Least Squares ◽  
Basel Iii ◽  
Accounting Data ◽  
Explanatory Variables ◽  
Liquidity Index ◽  
The Relationship

ABSTRACT This study aimed to identify the relationship between the Structural Liquidity Index (SLI) and macroeconomic variables, bank characteristics, and the validity period of the Basel III Agreement. Although the academic discussion on bank liquidity essentially addresses short-term issues, monitoring long-term liquidity helps assess any excessive dependency of banks on unstable resources, thus contributing to mitigating the risks of systemic liquidity crises such as that of 2008. As it provides evidence of the relationship between the SLI and the selected explanatory variables, the study can be included in the context of the discussions involving the Basel III Agreement, which establishes the implementation of the long-term liquidity index regulatory requirement as of 2018. The model was formulated based on fourteen research hypotheses, tested using panel data regressions estimated via pooled ordinary least squares, least squares with fixed effects, and two-stage least squares with fixed effects. The dependent variable was constructed based on the accounting data of 184 conglomerates and individual financial institutions operating in the country between June 2002 and December 2014. The SLI presented a positive relationship with changes in the exchange rate, international reserves, and reserve requirements, as well as with the profitability, size, and main specialization of the institution. On the other hand, we found a negative relationship between the SLI and the basic interest rate, country risk, balance of trade, validity period of the Basel III Agreement, type of equity control (private vs. government), and the bank being publicly listed on the São Paulo Stock, Commodities, and Futures Exchange (BM&FBovespa) or privately held. The validation of the relationships between these explanatory variables and the SLI provides a broader understanding of the risks to which financial institutions are exposed, contributing to the preventive analysis of bank liquidity risk - an antecedent indicator of financial crises, diminished confidence, and economic instability.

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