Potential for Revitalization of Mature Firms Under New Forms of Ownership

摘要

Every year hundreds of U.S. communities experience moderate to severe economic and social dislocations as owners of mature firms decide to shut down or relocate these ventures. In some cases, the shutdown is inevitable because the enterprise is no longer economically viable and has no possibility of regaining profitability at the current location. In other cases the enterprise may be currently or potentially viable, but the owner, for a variety of reasons, is unwilling to continue its operation or invest in its future at that location and is unwilling or unable to find a suitable buyer willing to do so. This paper reports on the potential, under new ownership, for retaining and revitalizing firms threatened by shutdown. The research is based on an analysis of seven case studies of attempts to retain a mature firm after a closure or relocation decision has been made.