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R & D and the Directions of Diversification

James M. MacDonald

The Review of Economics and Statistics 1985

The pattern of diversification within U.S. manufacturing between 1963 and 1977 are examined. Firms didn't diversify at random; they were more likely to enter rapidly growing industries, and industries that were related to their primary activities through supply relationships or marketing similarities. Research and development (R & D) expenditures also influence the observed patterns. R & D intensive industries generate outbound diversification and attract inbound diversification. However, the strongest influence is directional; R & D intensive firms channel their diversification toward R & D intensive industries. Much diversification reflects the transfer of sharable organization capital among related activities.

DOI
10.2307/1924802
Volume
67 (4)
Pages
583
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