We introduce synthetic control analysis to management research. This recently developed statistical methodology overcomes challenges to causal inference in contexts constrained by small samples or few occurrences of the phenomenon of interest. Synthetic control constructs a replica of a focal...

We argue that information asymmetries between regulators and firms increase the administrative decision costs of initiating new policies due to the costs of satisfying evidentiary or “burden of proof” requirements. We further contend that regulators with better information about regulated...

We investigate the replacement of the traditional state-centered model of electricity industry organization with a market-oriented neo-liberal model in 83 countries. We argue and find that social actors' ascription of legitimacy to an institutional replacement is central to the replacement's...