Ownership, diversification and cost advantages: Evidence from the Italian leasing industry

Degl’Innocenti, Marta and Claudia Girardone

Journal of International Financial Markets, Institutions and Money, 2012, vol. 22, issue 4, 879-896

Abstract: Using Greene's (2005) random parameter cost frontier model and a unique hand-collected dataset, this paper provides novel evidence on the cost advantages of Italian leasing companies over 2002–2008, focusing on ownership structures and diversification strategies. Results suggest that cost efficiency and economies of scale have decreased significantly over the period analyzed. Bank-related, independent and domestic leasing companies are more able to control costs than their captive and foreign counterparts. Diversification strategies can be crucial in determining the cost effectiveness of leasing firms. Nonetheless, smaller, independent and less diversified leasing firms appear to benefit from higher economies of scale and greater technological advancements.

Keywords: Efficiency; Leasing industry; Random parameter frontier model; Diversification strategies; Ownership structures (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D24 G23 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2012
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:intfin:v:22:y:2012:i:4:p:879-896

DOI: 10.1016/j.intfin.2012.05.002

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