Timing d’entrée, incertitude et agglomération temporelle : le cas de l’industrie cinématographique hollywoodienne

The aim of this article is to show that firms choose temporal agglomeration (entering the market at the same time as their competitors) when the uncertainty concerning the success of their products is particularly important. Indeed, the analysis of the major Hollywood studios from 2000 till 2006 shows that these firms limit uncertainty by adopting similar behaviours. More precisely, results show that a combination of factors lead to agglomeration of film release dates. Budgets, genres and temporal institutions (day-offs, award ceremonies, festivals, etc.) are used as reference points by actors of the industry. More than a deliberate strategy, temporal agglomeration seems to emerge from complex interactions, increasing competition and so decreasing the movie performances.