Citation

Discussion Paper Details

Please find the details for DP6104 in an easy to copy and paste format below:

Full Details

Title: Financial Constraints and the Costs and Benefits of Vertical Integration

Author(s): Rocco Macchiavello

Publication Date: February 2007

Keyword(s): contractual externalities, investors protection, limited liability, theory of the firm and vertical integration

Programme Area(s): Development Economics and Financial Economics

Abstract: Does vertical integration reduce or increase transaction costs with external investors? This paper analyzes an incomplete contracts model of vertical integration in which a seller and a buyer with no cash need to finance investments for production. The firm is modeled as a "nexus of contracts" across the intermediate input supply and the financing transaction. The costs and benefits of vertical integration depend on the relative importance of a positive "contractual centralization" effect against a negative "de-monitoring" effect: the firm centrally organizes the nexus of contracts reducing the extent of contractual externalities while the market disciplines decisions driven by private benefits. Larger projects, more specific assets, and low investors protection are determinants of vertical integration.

For full details and related downloads, please visit: https://cepr.org/active/publications/discussion_papers/dp.php?dpno=6104

Bibliographic Reference

Macchiavello, R. 2007. 'Financial Constraints and the Costs and Benefits of Vertical Integration'. London, Centre for Economic Policy Research. https://cepr.org/active/publications/discussion_papers/dp.php?dpno=6104