Turbulence, firm decentralization and growth in bad times

Aghion, Philippe ORCID: 0000-0002-9019-1677, Bloom, Nick, Lucking, Brian, Sadun, Raffaella and Van Reenen, John ORCID: 0000-0001-9153-2907 (2021) Turbulence, firm decentralization and growth in bad times. American Economic Journal: Applied Economics, 13 (1). 133 - 169. ISSN 1945-7782

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Abstract

What is the optimal form of firm organization during “bad times”? The greater turbulence following macro shocks may benefit decentralized firms because the value of local information increases (the “localist” view). On the other hand, the need to make tough decisions may favor centralized firms (the “centralist” view). Using two large micro datasets on decentralization in firms in ten OECD countries (WMS) and US establishments (MOPS administrative data), we find that firms that delegated more power from the central headquarters to local plant managers prior to the Great Recession outperformed their centralized counterparts in sectors that were hardest hit by the subsequent crisis (as measured by export growth and product durability). Results based on measures of turbulence based on product churn and stock market volatility provide further support to the localist view. This conclusion is robust to alternative explanations such as managerial fears of bankruptcy and changing coordination costs. Although decentralization will be suboptimal in many environments, it does appear to be beneficial for the average firm during bad times. (JEL D22, G12, G32, G34, L23)

Item Type:	Article
Official URL:	https://www.aeaweb.org/journals/app
Additional Information:	© 2021 American Economic Association
Divisions:	Economics Centre for Economic Performance
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HB Economic Theory H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor H Social Sciences > HG Finance
JEL classification:	G - Financial Economics > G3 - Corporate Finance and Governance > G34 - Mergers; Acquisitions; Restructuring; Corporate Governance G - Financial Economics > G3 - Corporate Finance and Governance > G32 - Financing Policy; Financial Risk and Risk Management; Capital and Ownership Structure L - Industrial Organization > L2 - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior > L23 - Organization of Production G - Financial Economics > G1 - General Financial Markets > G12 - Asset Pricing; Trading volume; Bond Interest Rates
Date Deposited:	05 Jun 2020 10:54
Last Modified:	12 Dec 2024 02:11
URI:	http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/id/eprint/105000

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