When do Firms Join Trade Associations?
I investigate factors that lead firms to join a trade association. Out of a sample of some 50,000 high technology firms I study firms that join the Semiconductor Equipment Manufacturers International (SEMI). The dataset I have developed allows me to develop measures of products, customers, geography and other firm attributes. Findings thus far suggest that cognitive factors have an effect over and above economic factors. Sponsors: Oklahoma State University PI: Scott Johnson Decision-Making Influences of Trade Association Membership Based on the perspective of distributed cognition I hypothesize that trade association membership will affect how firms perceive, behave and perform. I use a propensity score matching method to create a synthetic control group. I find that, after joining, firms become more like existing trade association members in the forecasts, organization structure decisions, and performance Sponsors: Oklahoma State University PI: Oklahoma State University: Scott Johnson
