Discussion paper

DP3045 On the Evolution of the Firm Size Distribution: Facts and Theory

Using a comprehensive data set of Portuguese manufacturing firms, we show that the firm size distribution is significantly right-skewed, evolving over time toward a log-normal distribution. We also show that selection accounts for very little of this evolution. Instead, we propose a simple theory based on financing constraint. A calibrated version of our model does a good job at explaining the evolution of the firm size distribution.

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Citation

Cabral, L and J Mata (2001), ‘DP3045 On the Evolution of the Firm Size Distribution: Facts and Theory‘, CEPR Discussion Paper No. 3045. CEPR Press, Paris & London. https://cepr.org/publications/dp3045