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meta-analytic review of the diversification-performance relationship: Aggregating findings in strategic management

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Date Issued:
1998
Summary:
This study discusses the theoretical and methodological issues in the diversification-performance literature and presents a meta-analysis of 50 studies with 169 separate effects of the diversification-performance relationship. The overall objective of this study was to answer the primary question: What is the relationship between diversification strategies and corporate performance? In addition, this study aimed to determine if the inconsistencies found in the diversification-performance relationship across studies is attributable to moderator variables such as: (1) measurement of diversification, (2) measurement of performance, (3) source of data, (4) time period, and (5) industry effects. A final objective of this study was to illustrate the usefulness of meta-analytic techniques for reviewing and synthesizing empirical literature in strategic management. The results suggest that related diversified firms have higher accounting- and market-based returns and lower levels of total risk than unrelated diversified firms. These results are consistent with the predictions of agency theories of diversification. The results further indicate that related diversifiers have lower levels of systematic risk than unrelated diversifiers, a result consistent with the predictions of the traditional strategic management perspective of diversification. The results of the subgroup and combined meta-analyses of moderator effects indicate that the use of different measures of diversification (e.g., Rumelt's categories vs. SIC-based continuous), different measures of performance (accounting- vs. market-based), and source of data (e.g., primary vs. secondary) significantly influenced the relationship between diversification strategies and performance. The relationship was not affected by the time period of studies or industry effects. The findings are discussed in terms of their implications for practice and for future research.
Title: A meta-analytic review of the diversification-performance relationship: Aggregating findings in strategic management.
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Name(s): Perry, Susan Ross
Florida Atlantic University, Degree Grantor
Golden, Peggy A., Thesis Advisor
Type of Resource: text
Genre: Electronic Thesis Or Dissertation
Issuance: monographic
Date Issued: 1998
Publisher: Florida Atlantic University
Place of Publication: Boca Raton, Fla.
Physical Form: application/pdf
Extent: 225 p.
Language(s): English
Summary: This study discusses the theoretical and methodological issues in the diversification-performance literature and presents a meta-analysis of 50 studies with 169 separate effects of the diversification-performance relationship. The overall objective of this study was to answer the primary question: What is the relationship between diversification strategies and corporate performance? In addition, this study aimed to determine if the inconsistencies found in the diversification-performance relationship across studies is attributable to moderator variables such as: (1) measurement of diversification, (2) measurement of performance, (3) source of data, (4) time period, and (5) industry effects. A final objective of this study was to illustrate the usefulness of meta-analytic techniques for reviewing and synthesizing empirical literature in strategic management. The results suggest that related diversified firms have higher accounting- and market-based returns and lower levels of total risk than unrelated diversified firms. These results are consistent with the predictions of agency theories of diversification. The results further indicate that related diversifiers have lower levels of systematic risk than unrelated diversifiers, a result consistent with the predictions of the traditional strategic management perspective of diversification. The results of the subgroup and combined meta-analyses of moderator effects indicate that the use of different measures of diversification (e.g., Rumelt's categories vs. SIC-based continuous), different measures of performance (accounting- vs. market-based), and source of data (e.g., primary vs. secondary) significantly influenced the relationship between diversification strategies and performance. The relationship was not affected by the time period of studies or industry effects. The findings are discussed in terms of their implications for practice and for future research.
Identifier: 9780591930122 (isbn), 12566 (digitool), FADT12566 (IID), fau:9453 (fedora)
Note(s): College of Business
Thesis (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 1998.
Subject(s): Diversification in Industry
Corporate Profits
Strategic Planning
Held by: Florida Atlantic University Libraries
Persistent Link to This Record: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/12566
Sublocation: Digital Library
Use and Reproduction: Copyright © is held by the author with permission granted to Florida Atlantic University to digitize, archive and distribute this item for non-profit research and educational purposes. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions requires permission of the copyright holder.
Use and Reproduction: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/
Host Institution: FAU
Is Part of Series: Florida Atlantic University Digital Library Collections.