67 research outputs found
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Redirecting research efforts on the diversification-performance linkage: The search for synergy
We review the literature on the diversification-performance (D-P) relationship to a) propose that the time is ripe for a renewed attack on understanding the relationship between diversification and firm performance, and b) outline a new approach to attacking the question. Our paper makes four main contributions. First, through a review of the literature we establish the inherent complexities in the D-P relationship and the methodological challenges confronted by the literature in reaching its current conclusion of a non-linear relationship between diversification and performance. Second, we argue that to better guide managers the literature needs to develop along a complementary path – whereas past research has often focused on answering the big question of does diversification affect firm performance, this second path would focus more on identifying the precise micro-mechanisms through which diversification adds or subtracts value. Third, we outline a new approach to the investigation of this topic, based on (a) identifying the precise underlying mechanisms through which diversification affects performance; (b) identifying performance outcomes that are “proximate” to the mechanism that the researcher is studying, and (c) identifying an appropriate research design that can enable a causal claim. Finally, we outline a set of directions for future research
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Robustness of ordinal measures of competitive strategy variables employed in business research: A PIMS data-based analysis
PIMS data for a sample of capital goods business and a series of transformations of the data generated through Monte Carlo simulation were used to examine the robustness of ordinal measures of competitive strategy variables in additive and multiplicative regression models. Ten sets of transformations were made under a variety of assumptions about the types of errors executives may make in providing ordinal estimates of their relative competitive positions. While the findings are somewhat encouraging to researchers engaged in strategy research, they also point to a need for additional methodological research in this area
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