Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/180316 
Year of Publication: 
2018
Series/Report no.: 
CESifo Working Paper No. 7054
Publisher: 
Center for Economic Studies and ifo Institute (CESifo), Munich
Abstract: 
Little is known theoretically, and even less empirically, about the relationship between firm boundaries and the allocation of decision rights within firms. We develop a model in which firms choose which suppliers to integrate and whether to delegate decisions to integrated suppliers. We test the predictions of the model using a novel dataset that combines measures of vertical integration and delegation for a large set of firms from many countries and industries. In line with the model’s predictions, we obtain three main results: (i) integration and delegation co-vary positively; (ii) producers are more likely to integrate suppliers in input sectors with greater productivity variation (as the option value of integration is greater); and (iii) producers are more likely to integrate suppliers of more important inputs and to delegate decisions to them.
Subjects: 
vertical integration
delegation
real options
supply assurance
JEL: 
D20
L20
Document Type: 
Working Paper
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