Firm-diversification effects on performance as measured by tobin's q

The performance effects of firm diversification remain unclear despite a large body of prior research that has yielded mixed results due to differing performance measures, diversification measures, samples and time periods. The objective of this research is to offer further information by using Tobin's q to capture performance effects and Rumelt's related ratio as the diversification measure. The empirical results reveal no significant findings to relate diversification and performance. Given that the sample is composed of very large firms, the implication is that, at least for such large firms whose stock is likely held in well-diversified portfolios, firm-diversification strategies are unlikely to yield superior performance.

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