What is scaling?

Sarah Bohan, Esther Tippmann, Jonathan Levie, Josephine Igoe and Blake Bowers

Journal of Business Venturing, 2024, vol. 39, issue 1

Abstract: As ‘scaling’ has gained significant attention from different stakeholders, multiple definitions have emerged, endangering the legitimacy of the area as a distinct field of inquiry. Using a mathematics perspective, we define scaling in the business context as a time-limited process of exponential growth. We then identify drivers of scaling and show that scaling for competitive advantage requires increasing returns to scale in input-output relationships (superlinear scaling). This is followed by the application of graph theory, supported with findings from a Delphi study, to demonstrate why scaling requires internal transformation. Finally, we discuss our definition's uniqueness, how it can be operationalized, and opportunities for future research.

Keywords: Scaling; Scale-ups; Exponential growth; High growth; Delphi (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:jbvent:v:39:y:2024:i:1:s0883902623000691

DOI: 10.1016/j.jbusvent.2023.106355

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