When capital markets discount R&D expenditures: the problemistic search effect

Abstract

Purpose

Research finds that investors initially under-react to increases in R&D intensity. The phenomenon is commonly viewed as mispricing. We draw on behavioral theory of the firm (BTF) to propose an alternative explanation that increased R&D intensity is often indicative of problemistic search in firms. We empirically explore three contextual factors that may help discriminate between mispricing and problemistic search effects when capital markets frown on increased R&D intensity.

Design/methodology/approach

We use econometric methods to analyze longitudinal data on 4,561 US manufacturing firms.

Findings

We find that market reactions to R&D investments are consistent with the view that managers often engage in R&D-based search to correct anticipated problems. We show that increased R&D intensity is a stronger indicator of diminished expected future performance for firms with greater inertia, including larger firms and high-performing firms. However, greater R&D intensity is less indicative of problemistic search in slack-rich firms.

Originality/value

Whilst the BTF has been used extensively in management research, ours is one of the few studies which link the BTF to stock market phenomena.

Citation

Markovitch, D.G. and O'Brien, J. (2021), "When capital markets discount R&D expenditures: the problemistic search effect", Journal of Strategy and Management, Vol. 14 No. 4, pp. 444-460. https://doi.org/10.1108/JSMA-10-2020-0288