Firm growth: a survey

Arbeitspapier

We survey the phenomenon of the growth of firms drawing on literature from economics, management, and sociology. We begin with a review of empirical 'stylised facts' before discussing theoretical contributions. Firm growth is characterized by a predominant stochastic element, making it difficult to predict. Indeed, previous empirical research into the determinants of firm growth has had a limited success. We also observe that theoretical propositions concerning the growth of firms are often amiss. We conclude that progress in this area requires solid empirical work, perhaps making use of novel statistical techniques.

Object Details

• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Series: Papers on Economics and Evolution ; No. 0703

Classification and Topics

• Classification: Wirtschaft ; Firm Performance: Size, Diversification, and Scope ; Production, Pricing, and Market Structure; Size Distribution of Firms
• Subject: Firm Growth ; Size Distribution ; Growth Rates Distribution ; Gibrat's Law ; Theory of the Firm ; Diversification ; 'Stages of Growth' models ; Unternehmenswachstum ; Unternehmensentwicklung ; Empirische Methode ; Theorie

Contributors, Places and Time

• Event: Geistige Schöpfung
• (who): Coad, Alexander
• Event: Veröffentlichung
• (who): Max Planck Institute of Economics
• (where): Jena
• (when): 2007

Further information

• Handle: http://hdl.handle.net/10419/31823
• Last update: 10.03.2025, 11:42 AM CET