This article empirically investigates the competitiveness and stability of family‐owned firms relative to firms owned by diverse shareholders. Founding families are present in about one‐third of the S&P 500—the sample of this study. Data gathered over the 1992–2002 period confirm that family firms tend to experience higher employment and revenue growth over time and are more profitable. Regression analysis also supports that firm performance improves when founding family members are involved in management. Although evidence on the relative stability in employment among family firms over the long run is tenuous, data from the most recent recession support the role that founding families play in maintaining employment stability during temporary market downturns.

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This paper reexamines the determinants of firm performance and, in particular, the role that firm size plays in profitability. A fixed-effects dynamic panel data model for over 7,000 US publicly-held firms during the period 1987-2006 provides evidence that profit rates are positively correlated with firm size in a non-linear manner, holding an array of firm- and industry-specific characteristics constant. In addition, industry-specific fixed effects play a negligible role in the presence of firm-specific fixed effects.Profit Rates, Panel Data, Firm Size, Industry Effects, Firm Effects,

COVID-19 wreaked havoc on public health and the global economy. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) were hit especially hard. In this research note, we test the ability of dynamic capabilities (DCs) to predict SME performance during the pandemic. Based on our analysis of data from a survey conducted in the United States, we find that DCs meaningfully predicted both operational levels and revenue. Furthermore, while the empirical literature suggests that SME size is positively related to DC efficacy, we found that this effect was reversed during COVID-19, as the positive link between DCs and performance was stronger for smaller SMEs.

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