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The peer-firm effect on firm’s investment decisions

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  • Park, Kwangho
  • Yang, Insun
  • Yang, Taeyong

Abstract

This study investigates the effect of peer firms on firm investment strategies. We test the peer group effect hypothesis along differing levels of financially constrained firms as well as differing degrees of industry competition. Using idiosyncratic equity returns as the instrument variable, we use 2-stage least squares regression to identify the influence of peer firms’ investment decisions on a firm’s own investment policies. Our analyses empirically confirm that there is a peer group effect in making firm investment decisions. More financially constrained firms show greater dependency on peers’ investment decisions. Tests of peer sensitivity to the increase in industrial competition, however, displayed a U-shaped quadratic curve, which shows that firms have the lowest peer group effect in medium-competition markets. We claim that imitative behavior in investment is presumably weak in the mid-competition market because firms are yet to be distinguished in this market.

Suggested Citation

  • Park, Kwangho & Yang, Insun & Yang, Taeyong, 2017. "The peer-firm effect on firm’s investment decisions," The North American Journal of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 40(C), pages 178-199.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecofin:v:40:y:2017:i:c:p:178-199
    DOI: 10.1016/j.najef.2017.03.001
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Investment; Financial constraint; Risk averseness; Peer firm effect; U-shaped curve;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G30 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - General
    • G32 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Financing Policy; Financial Risk and Risk Management; Capital and Ownership Structure; Value of Firms; Goodwill
    • O30 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - General

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