Groups heterogeneity and sectors concentration: a structural equation modeling for micro level analysis of firms

This paper is focused on the study of firms’ growth strategy, with particular aim at verifying the relationship between external and internal factors affecting firm’s growth strategy. The analysis refers to the Italian firms belonging to a group having a specific internal skill mix structure and different market structures in terms of market concentration and a heterogeneity of the economic sectors covered by the group distribution. Because of the difficulty in finding empirical growth indicator, the firm’s growth strategy is considered as a measure of performance not directly observable but defined through economic concepts. To carry out it, the use of a structural equation approach is proposed.