Type of Document	Dissertation
Author	Upson, John Willis
Author's Email Address	jupson222@hotmail.com
URN	etd-04072008-110517
Title	Why Do Firms Exercise Foothold Options: Explanations from Multipoint Competition and Real Options Theory
Degree	Doctor of Philosophy
Department	Management, Department of
Advisory Committee	Advisor Name Title Annette L. Ranft Committee Chair Bruce T. Lamont Committee Member David J. Ketchen, Jr. Committee Member Larry C. Giunipero Committee Member
Keywords	Real Options Theory Multipoint Competition Foothold
Date of Defense	2008-03-28
Availability	unrestricted
Abstract A foothold is a business unit within a diversified firm that possesses a very small market share. How a foothold behaves and whether a foothold stays small or grows has implications for competitive dynamics within its industry and for the performance of firms involved in the industry. However, little is known about why some footholds pursue growth while others do not. I build upon theory on multipoint competition and real options to examine foothold behavior. Data from 270 footholds reveal that variables grounded in each theory explain significant and unique variance. Thus, each theory offers a necessary but not sufficient explanation for foothold behavior.
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