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Value exploration and materialization in diversification strategies

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  • Mark Holder
  • Aiwu Zhao

Abstract

The commonly accepted explanation in early studies to diversification discount is that diversification destroys value because of operational inefficiency. Such argument neglects the value of growth potentials incorporated in the value measures such as market-to-book ratio. Our study indicates that diversification activities are strategic decisions that will change the real options of a firm and will create value impacts that are different from those caused by changes in operational efficiency. We find that diversification activities, especially unrelated diversification activities, carried out by below average performers tend to increase firm value, in terms of market-to-book ratio, as a result of exploring for new growth opportunities. Whereas diversification activities carried out by above average performers tend to decrease firm value as a result of materializing excess capability. The result indicates that value changes around diversification are different for different firms. In addition to changes in operational efficiency, changes in growth potentials play a role in explaining diversification discount phenomenon as well. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media New York 2015

Suggested Citation

  • Mark Holder & Aiwu Zhao, 2015. "Value exploration and materialization in diversification strategies," Review of Quantitative Finance and Accounting, Springer, vol. 45(1), pages 175-213, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:rqfnac:v:45:y:2015:i:1:p:175-213
    DOI: 10.1007/s11156-014-0434-8
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    Cited by:

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    2. de Andrés, Pablo & de la Fuente, Gabriel & Velasco, Pilar, 2016. "Are real options a missing piece in the diversification-value puzzle?," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 48(C), pages 261-271.
    3. Nilakshi Borah & Liu Pan & Jung Chul Park & Nan Shao, 2018. "Does corporate diversification reduce value in high technology firms?," Review of Quantitative Finance and Accounting, Springer, vol. 51(3), pages 683-718, October.
    4. de Andrés, Pablo & de la Fuente, Gabriel & Velasco, Pilar, 2017. "Does it really matter how a firm diversifies? Assets-in-place diversification versus growth options diversification," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 43(C), pages 316-339.
    5. Veronika Vinogradova, 2018. "Value creation through external growth strategy: the architecture of successful performance," Review of Quantitative Finance and Accounting, Springer, vol. 51(3), pages 847-882, October.
    6. Wu, Desheng & Olson, David L. & Wang, Shouyang, 2019. "Finance-operations interface mechanism and models," Omega, Elsevier, vol. 88(C), pages 1-3.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Diversification; Resource-based view; Real options; Firm value; G12; G34;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G12 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Asset Pricing; Trading Volume; Bond Interest Rates
    • G34 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Mergers; Acquisitions; Restructuring; Corporate Governance

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