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An Agency Analysis of Firm Diversification: The Consequences of Discretionary Cash and Managerial Risk Considerations

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  • Chen, Carl R
  • Steiner, Thomas L

Abstract

Firm diversification is shown to be a function of excess discretionary cash flow and managerial risk considerations. We measure firm diversification using the concentric diversification index. The index is positively related to both the number of business units in the firm and the extent to which the business firm's segments differ. Consequently, the measure provides a proxy for how firm diversification decisions impact the risk of the firm, and the measure is found to be inversely related to both total risk and unsystematic risk. Consistent with the agency arguments of discretionary cash flow, we find the level of excess discretionary funds in the firm to be a significant positive determinant of the level of firm diversification. We also find support for both a wealth transfer hypothesis over low levels of managerial ownership, and a managerial risk aversion hypothesis over high levels of managerial ownership. Copyright 2000 by Kluwer Academic Publishers

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  • Chen, Carl R & Steiner, Thomas L, 2000. "An Agency Analysis of Firm Diversification: The Consequences of Discretionary Cash and Managerial Risk Considerations," Review of Quantitative Finance and Accounting, Springer, vol. 14(3), pages 247-260, May.
  • Handle: RePEc:kap:rqfnac:v:14:y:2000:i:3:p:247-60
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    Cited by:

    1. Yasser Alhenawi & Martha Stilwell, 2017. "Value creation and the probability of success in merger and acquisition transactions," Review of Quantitative Finance and Accounting, Springer, vol. 49(4), pages 1041-1085, November.
    2. Liu-Ching Tsai & Chaur-Shiuh Young & Hui-Wen Hsu, 2011. "Entrenched controlling shareholders and the performance consequences of corporate diversification in Taiwan," Review of Quantitative Finance and Accounting, Springer, vol. 37(1), pages 105-126, July.
    3. Hamish Anderson & Ben Marshall, 2007. "Takeover motives in a weak regulatory environment surrounding a market shock: a case study of New Zealand with a comparison of Gondhalekar and Bhagwat’s (2003) US findings," Review of Quantitative Finance and Accounting, Springer, vol. 29(1), pages 53-67, July.
    4. I-Ju Chen, 2016. "Corporate Governance and the Efficiency of Internal Capital Markets," Review of Pacific Basin Financial Markets and Policies (RPBFMP), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 19(02), pages 1-50, June.

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