On Firm Growth in Networks

Posted: 20 Nov 2007 Last revised: 23 Mar 2013

See all articles by Fabio Pammolli

Fabio Pammolli

Polytechnic University of Milan - Department of Management, Economics and Industrial Engineering; CERM Foundation

Massimo Riccaboni

KU Leuven - Department of Managerial Economics, Strategy, and Innovation; IMT Institute for Advanced Studies

Abstract

This paper is explorative in nature. Based on an empirical analysis of two different industrial settings (life sciences, LS; information and communication technologies, ICT), it investigates network growth and firm growth in networks. We find a remarkable correspondence between a few fundamental findings of the â018old' stochastic approach to the analysis of firm internal growth, and empirically observed patterns of firm external growth through collaborative agreements.We show that scale-free behavior in real-world industrial networks can be accounted for by a general and parsimonious model, originally developed by Herbert Simon in 1955, based on entry and proportional growth. However, relevant departures from the stochastic benchmark are revealed that cannot be ascribed to the effect of mergers and acquisitions (M&As) and growth autocorrelation. Moreover, different regimes of growth are found to be at work in the life sciences for originators versus developers of new business opportunities, reflecting the fact that growth is driven by specialization and division of labor in the processes of generation and attraction/development of technological opportunities.

Keywords: Firm growth, Network growth, Biotechnology, Information and communication technologies

Suggested Citation

Pammolli, Fabio and Riccaboni, Massimo, On Firm Growth in Networks. Research Policy, Vol. 31, No. 8-9, 2002, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1031366

Fabio Pammolli (Contact Author)

Polytechnic University of Milan - Department of Management, Economics and Industrial Engineering ( email )

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Milano, 20156
Italy

CERM Foundation ( email )

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Siena, Siena 53100
Italy

HOME PAGE: http://www.cermlab.it

Massimo Riccaboni

KU Leuven - Department of Managerial Economics, Strategy, and Innovation ( email )

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Leuven, 3000
Belgium

IMT Institute for Advanced Studies ( email )

Complesso San Micheletto
Lucca, 55100
Italy

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