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Going, going, gone. Exit forms and the innovative capabilities of firms

Elena Cefis and Orietta Marsili

Research Policy, 2012, vol. 41, issue 5, 795-807

Abstract: Although innovation is essential to build a competitive advantage and survive in the long run, some firms choose to exit, through mergers and acquisitions (M&As), or radically change their business portfolio and identity. This paper examines how innovative capabilities influence the decision of a firm to exit, among business closure, M&A, and radical restructuring. Using an analysis of a large and rich panel of Dutch manufacturing firms, we find that product and process innovation are equally important to lower the probability to close down activities, and this effect is stronger when product and process innovations are pursed in combination. We also find that process innovation reduces the probability of exit by radical restructuring, while product innovation, when not supported by process innovation, especially increases the probability of exit by M&As. Our findings suggest that exit strategies are intimately bound to the nature and synergies of innovative efforts.

Keywords: Firm exit; Merger and acquisition (M&A); Restructuring; Product and process innovation; Competing risks model (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D21 L11 L25 O32 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2012
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (47)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:respol:v:41:y:2012:i:5:p:795-807

DOI: 10.1016/j.respol.2012.01.006

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Research Policy is currently edited by M. Bell, B. Martin, W.E. Steinmueller, A. Arora, M. Callon, M. Kenney, S. Kuhlmann, Keun Lee and F. Murray

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