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The determinants of growth for SMEs. A longitudinal study from French manufacturing firms

Author

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  • Nadine Levratto
  • Luc Tessier
  • Messaoud Zouikri

Abstract

This paper investigates the structural and strategic determinants of firm growth using a unique data set for French firms employing between 10 and 250 employees in 1997 and active over the period 1997-2007. Starting from the idea that firm growth is not only a random process but that some regularities may be emphasized, we consider a growth model that combines different elements presented as determinant in the firm’s growth path. Results based on two families of multinomial logit model do not confirm the conclusions about the exclusive role played by the previous size. In addition, thanks to the references to legal structure, market share and localization, one observes these variables shape strongly the individual growth path. However environment and structural elements are not the only elements to focus on in order to provide an explanation of the employment growth rate at the firm level. Strategic factors matter too. In particular we demonstrate the crucial role of labor costs and financial structure as explanatory variables of firm growth.

Suggested Citation

  • Nadine Levratto & Luc Tessier & Messaoud Zouikri, 2010. "The determinants of growth for SMEs. A longitudinal study from French manufacturing firms," EconomiX Working Papers 2010-28, University of Paris Nanterre, EconomiX.
    • Handle: RePEc:drm:wpaper:2010-28
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    File URL: http://economix.fr/pdf/dt/2010/WP_EcoX_2010-28.pdf
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Paloma Lopez-Garcia & Sergio Puente, 2012. "What makes a high-growth firm? A dynamic probit analysis using Spanish firm-level data," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 39(4), pages 1029-1041, November.
    2. Ho-Chang Chae, 2024. "In search of gazelles: machine learning prediction for Korean high-growth firms," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 62(1), pages 243-284, January.
    3. Salustiano Martínez‐Fierro & José María Biedma‐Ferrer & José Ruiz‐Navarro, 2020. "Impact of high‐growth start‐ups on entrepreneurial environment based on the level of national economic development," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(3), pages 1007-1020, March.
    4. José Miguel Giner & María Jesús Santa-María & Antonio Fuster, 2017. "High-growth firms: does location matter?," International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, Springer, vol. 13(1), pages 75-96, March.
    5. Francisco Rodrigues & Nuno Tavares & Gabriel Osório Barros, 2021. "Drivers of exceptional job creation – a dynamic probit approach using portuguese firm-level data," Portuguese Economic Journal, Springer;Instituto Superior de Economia e Gestao, vol. 20(1), pages 45-69, January.
    6. Jurij Weinblat, 2018. "Forecasting European high-growth Firms - A Random Forest Approach," Journal of Industry, Competition and Trade, Springer, vol. 18(3), pages 253-294, September.
    7. Nadine LEVRATTO & Denis CARRÉ, 2013. "La Croissance Des Établissements Industriels : Une Question De Localisation," Region et Developpement, Region et Developpement, LEAD, Universite du Sud - Toulon Var, vol. 38, pages 93-120.
    8. Safari Kulondwa, 2020. "Contribution of Internationalisation to SME Growth: Evidence from the Kenyan Manufacturing Sector," Economics and Business, Sciendo, vol. 34(1), pages 261-272, February.
    9. Patrycja Grinberger & Natalia Nehrebecka, 2015. "Determinants of firm’s growth: empirical study of Polish listed companies," Ekonomia journal, Faculty of Economic Sciences, University of Warsaw, vol. 43.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    Firm growth; SMEs; Gibrat’s law; French manufacturing; multinomial logistic regression;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • L25 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Firm Performance
    • C1 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods and Methodology: General
    • D22 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Firm Behavior: Empirical Analysis

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