IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/inm/orstsc/v3y2018i3p533-553.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Applying Random Coefficient Models to Strategy Research: Identifying and Exploring Firm Heterogeneous Effects

Author

Listed:
  • Juan Alcácer

    (Strategy Unit, Harvard Business School, Boston, Massachusetts 02163)

  • Wilbur Chung

    (Robert H. Smith School of Business, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742)

  • Ashton Hawk

    (Leeds School of Business, University of Colorado, Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80309)

  • Gonçalo Pacheco-de-Almeida

    (Strategy and Business Policy, École des Hautes Études Commerciales de Paris, 78351 Jouy-en-Josas Cedex, France)

Abstract

Strategy aims at understanding the differential effects of firms’ actions on performance. However, standard regression models estimate only the average effects of these actions across firms. Our paper discusses how random coefficient models (RCMs) may generate new insights about firm heterogeneity and its effects on performance in empirical settings in strategy. RCMs allow testing for and predicting firm-specific coefficients, thereby distinguishing between effects that have a significant mean versus significant variance. RCMs may also be used to explore the sources of firm heterogeneous effects. We develop a simulation test bed using synthetic data sets to show that RCMs are more precise at allocating firm heterogeneous effects to model slopes and intercepts than standard regression models. We also discuss RCMs’ possible limitations due to sample size requirements, nonconvergence problems, and potentially restrictive assumptions. Overall, RCMs allow strategy researchers to test and build new theories at a more granular level.

Suggested Citation

  • Juan Alcácer & Wilbur Chung & Ashton Hawk & Gonçalo Pacheco-de-Almeida, 2018. "Applying Random Coefficient Models to Strategy Research: Identifying and Exploring Firm Heterogeneous Effects," Strategy Science, INFORMS, vol. 3(3), pages 533-553, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:inm:orstsc:v:3:y:2018:i:3:p:533-553
    DOI: 10.1287/stsc.2018.0064
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://doi.org/10.1287/stsc.2018.0064
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1287/stsc.2018.0064?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Ruiz-Moreno, Felipe & Mas-Ruiz, Francisco J. & Nicolau-Gonzalbez, Juan L., 2007. "Two-stage choice process of FDI: Ownership structure and diversification mode," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 60(7), pages 795-805, July.
    2. David Revelt & Kenneth Train, 1998. "Mixed Logit With Repeated Choices: Households' Choices Of Appliance Efficiency Level," The Review of Economics and Statistics, MIT Press, vol. 80(4), pages 647-657, November.
    3. Kenneth E. Train, 1998. "Recreation Demand Models with Taste Differences over People," Land Economics, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 74(2), pages 230-239.
    4. Karel Cool & Ingemar Dierickx, 1993. "Abstract," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 14(1), pages 47-59, January.
    5. Rebecca Henderson & Iain Cockburn, 1994. "Measuring Competence? Exploring Firm Effects in Pharmaceutical Research," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 15(S1), pages 63-84, December.
    6. James Levinsohn & Amil Petrin, 2003. "Estimating Production Functions Using Inputs to Control for Unobservables," The Review of Economic Studies, Review of Economic Studies Ltd, vol. 70(2), pages 317-341.
    7. Rebecca Henderson & Iain Cockburn, 1996. "Scale, Scope, and Spillovers: The Determinants of Research Productivity in Drug Discovery," RAND Journal of Economics, The RAND Corporation, vol. 27(1), pages 32-59, Spring.
    8. Ghemawat, Pankaj, 2002. "Competition and Business Strategy in Historical Perspective," Business History Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 76(1), pages 37-74, April.
    9. Swamy, P A V B, 1970. "Efficient Inference in a Random Coefficient Regression Model," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 38(2), pages 311-323, March.
    10. William Greene, 2003. "A Interpreting Estimated Parameters and Measuring Individual Heterogeneity in Random Coefficient Models," Working Papers 03-19, New York University, Leonard N. Stern School of Business, Department of Economics.
    11. Wilbur Chung & Juan Alcácer, 2002. "Knowledge Seeking and Location Choice of Foreign Direct Investment in the United States," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 48(12), pages 1534-1554, December.
    12. Hart E. Posen & John S. Chen, 2013. "An Advantage of Newness: Vicarious Learning Despite Limited Absorptive Capacity," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 24(6), pages 1701-1716, December.
    13. Gonçalo Pacheco-de-Almeida & Ashton Hawk & Bernard Yeung, 2015. "The right speed and its value," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 36(2), pages 159-176, February.
    14. Anne Marie Knott & Hart E. Posen, 2009. "Firm R&D Behavior and Evolving Technology in Established Industries," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 20(2), pages 352-367, April.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Luigi Benfratello & Davide Castellani & Anna D'Ambrosio, 2024. "Migration and the location of MNE activities: Evidence from Italian provinces," Journal of Regional Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 64(2), pages 428-461, March.
    2. Rachelle C. Sampson & Yuan Shi, 2023. "Are U.S. firms becoming more short‐term oriented? Evidence of shifting firm time horizons from implied discount rates, 1980–2013," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 44(1), pages 231-263, January.
    3. Wei, Qiao & Li, Wen Helena & De Sisto, Marco & Gu, Jinlong, 2020. "What types of top management teams' experience matter to the relationship between political hazards and foreign subsidiary performance?," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 26(4).
    4. Nigel Driffield & Katiuscia Lavoratori & Yama Temouri, 2021. "Inward investment and UK productivity," Working Papers 014, The Productivity Institute.
    5. Lindner, Thomas & Puck, Jonas & Doh, Jonathan, 2021. "Hierarchical modelling in international business research: Patterns, problems, and practical guidelines," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 56(4).
    6. Yin, Hui & Han, Ziqiang & Li, Yuhuan, 2024. "Traditional bullying, cyberbullying, and quality of life among adolescents in 35 countries: Do cultural values matter?," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 340(C).
    7. Thomas Lindner & Jonas Puck & Alain Verbeke, 2020. "Misconceptions about multicollinearity in international business research: Identification, consequences, and remedies," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 51(3), pages 283-298, April.
    8. Davide Castellani & Katiuscia Lavoratori, 2020. "The lab and the plant: Offshore R&D and co-location with production activities," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 51(1), pages 121-137, February.
    9. Thomas Lindner & Jonas Puck & Alain Verbeke, 2022. "Beyond addressing multicollinearity: Robust quantitative analysis and machine learning in international business research," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 53(7), pages 1307-1314, September.
    10. Katiuscia Lavoratori & Davide Castellani, 2021. "Too close for comfort? Microgeography of agglomeration economies in the United Kingdom," Journal of Regional Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 61(5), pages 1002-1028, November.
    11. Putzhammer, Moritz & Puck, Jonas & Lindner, Thomas, 2020. "Changes in foreign operation modes: A review and research agenda," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 29(1).
    12. Dalila Ribaudo, 2023. "Tracking the Van: The role of forward linkages in logistics MNEs' location choices across European NUTS 3 regions," Papers in Regional Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 102(2), pages 331-362, April.
    13. Yildirim, Canan & Tensaout, Mouloud & Belousova, Veronika, 2023. "Cross-border mergers and acquisitions by emerging country banks: What do acquisition premiums tell us?," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 66(C).

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Gonçalo Pacheco-de-Almeida & Ashton Hawk & Bernard Yeung, 2015. "The right speed and its value," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 36(2), pages 159-176, February.
    2. Yuzhe Miao & Robert M. Salomon & Jaeyong Song, 2021. "Learning from Technologically Successful Peers: The Convergence of Asian Laggards to the Technology Frontier," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 32(1), pages 210-232, January.
    3. Aija Leiponen & Constance E. Helfat, 2011. "Location, Decentralization, and Knowledge Sources for Innovation," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 22(3), pages 641-658, June.
    4. Fosgerau, Mogens & Bierlaire, Michel, 2007. "A practical test for the choice of mixing distribution in discrete choice models," Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, Elsevier, vol. 41(7), pages 784-794, August.
    5. Francisco Javier Forcadell & Fernando Úbeda, 2022. "Individual entrepreneurial orientation and performance: the mediating role of international entrepreneurship," International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, Springer, vol. 18(2), pages 875-900, June.
    6. Li, Linjie & Liu, Xiaming & Yuan, Dong & Yu, Miaojie, 2017. "Does outward FDI generate higher productivity for emerging economy MNEs? – Micro-level evidence from Chinese manufacturing firms," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 26(5), pages 839-854.
    7. Martin Biewen & Constantin Weiser, 2014. "An empirical test of marginal productivity theory," Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 46(9), pages 996-1020, March.
    8. Herriges, Joseph A. & Phaneuf, Daniel J., 1999. "Controlling for Correlation Across Choice Occasions and Sites in a Repeated Mixed Logit Model of Recreation Demand," Western Region Archives 321717, Western Region - Western Extension Directors Association (WEDA).
    9. Frick, Bernd & Barros, Carlos Pestana & Prinz, Joachim, 2010. "Analysing head coach dismissals in the German "Bundesliga" with a mixed logit approach," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 200(1), pages 151-159, January.
    10. Stefano Brusoni & Paola Criscuolo & Aldo Geuna, 2005. "The knowledge bases of the world's largest pharmaceutical groups: what do patent citations to non-patent literature reveal?," Economics of Innovation and New Technology, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 14(5), pages 395-415.
    11. Brownstone, David & Train, Kenneth, 1998. "Forecasting new product penetration with flexible substitution patterns," Journal of Econometrics, Elsevier, vol. 89(1-2), pages 109-129, November.
    12. Siikamki, Juha, 2001. "Valuing Benefits of Finnish Forest Biodiversity Conservation: Fixed and Random Parameter Logit Models for Pooled Contingent Valuation and Contingent Rating/Ranking Survey Data," Western Region Archives 321696, Western Region - Western Extension Directors Association (WEDA).
    13. Domanski, Adam, 2009. "Estimating Mixed Logit Recreation Demand Models With Large Choice Sets," 2009 Annual Meeting, July 26-28, 2009, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 49413, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
    14. Robert M. Salomon & J. Myles Shaver, 2005. "Learning by Exporting: New Insights from Examining Firm Innovation," Journal of Economics & Management Strategy, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 14(2), pages 431-460, June.
    15. Iain Cockburn & Rebecca Henderson & Scott Stern, 1999. "Balancing Incentives: The Tension Between Basic and Applied Research," NBER Working Papers 6882, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    16. Britwum, Kofi & Yiannaka, Amalia, 2019. "Consumer willingness to pay for food safety interventions: The role of message framing and issue involvement," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 86(C), pages 1-1.
    17. David Boto‐García & Antonio Alvarez & José Baños, 2021. "Modelling heterogeneous preferences for nature‐based tourism trips," Papers in Regional Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 100(6), pages 1625-1653, December.
    18. René Belderbos & Boris Lokshin & Bert Sadowski, 2015. "The returns to foreign R&D," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 46(4), pages 491-504, May.
    19. Sukanya Das & Ekin Birol & Rabindra N. Bhattacharya, 2010. "Informing Efficient Solid Waste Management to Improve Local Environmental Quality and Public Health in West Bengal, India," Chapters, in: Jeff Bennett & Ekin Birol (ed.), Choice Experiments in Developing Countries, chapter 10, Edward Elgar Publishing.
    20. Rahul Kapoor & Ron Adner, 2012. "What Firms Make vs. What They Know: How Firms' Production and Knowledge Boundaries Affect Competitive Advantage in the Face of Technological Change," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 23(5), pages 1227-1248, October.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:inm:orstsc:v:3:y:2018:i:3:p:533-553. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Chris Asher (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://edirc.repec.org/data/inforea.html .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.