A STUDY ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN IMPORT PENETRATION, BUSINESS DIVERSIFICATION AND FIRM PERFORMANCE

This research attempts to examine the effects of import penetration in an industry on the firms' decision of business diversification and provide an integrative framework including the determinants and results of the business diversification. The research results are as follows. First, the import penetration doesn't affect the degree of business diversification. Second, the more profitable their core business industry, the lower the degree of business diversification against the import penetration. In addition, both technology-related assets and marketing-related assets are necessary for business diversification when faced with the import penetration. Finally, the inverted U-shaped relationship is supported between the degree of business diversification and firm performance.