Companies around the world have been shaken by the outbreak of Covid-19. Yet, there seems to be a wide heterogeneity in the response of firms to the pandemic. What shapes the ability of companies to overcome pandemics and other external shocks? Using archival and survey data from a variety of institutional contexts, I will discuss the role of governance and leadership at the firm level, as well as the role of individual traits related to entrepreneurs’ human capital and psychology. Empirical evidence suggests that family-controlled firms are better equipped than non-family firms to overcome a pandemic. Individual factors, too, play a significant role: optimistic beliefs, in parallel with risk tolerance and education, are positively associated with the ability to undertake corporate actions to face the pandemic. Collectively, these results provide novel evidence on the ability to ride out of catastrophic events.
SPEAKER: Mario Daniele Amore, SDA Bocconi
DATE: December 10, 2020
TIME: 6.00 - 7.00 PM, CET
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