We examine decentralization -- that is, the use of more than one decision maker -- in small- to medium-sized organizations, with a particular focus on family firms. Our estimation results suggest that larger firms decentralize more often, as do firms with newer owners, organizations with a...

This paper empirically analyses input procurement using Italian firm-level data. Combining the international economics literature on global sourcing with the family business and international business literature on family firms (FFs)’ internationalization, we build a comprehensive framework in...

This paper analyses the impact of sourcing abroad on exporting in the case of Spanish manufacturing firms that are family-owned. Sourcing abroad can be a channel that places the firm in a better position to export, not only because it increases the productivity of the firm, but also because it...

In Europe, a huge share of firms is family owned. Since family firms are known to be more risk averse concerning international transactions, an interesting question emerges: Do family firms adopt a different international sourcing pattern. Altering the Gloubal Sourcing model of Antràs and...

When managers have objectives beyond maximizing monetary profits, inefficiencies may arise. An increase in competition may then force managers to improve the productivity of the firm in order to ensure survival. While this hypothesis has received ample theoretical attention, empirical evidence...

This study explores the relation between family ownership and cost elasticity. Using a sample of 1,746 European firms, we first find that family ownership, a prevalent ownership type with unique characteristics, is associated with greater cost elasticity. Further, we use four empirical settings...

For a sample of 1243 European companies, we analyse the link between firm type and foreign direct investment (FDI) locations. We find substantial empirical evidence that being a family firm does not only affect the overall propensity for FDI but that this effect is also specific to target...