Tangibility and Intangibility in Identification of Persistent Performance: Evidence from the Brazilian Stock Market

Abstract Carvalho, Kayo and Martin (2010) point out that the above-average performance and persistent of an organization can be explained by its ability to properly exploit the resources and skills seen as rare and valuable. This research investigated if persistence of superior performance by Brazilian companies, by sector, can be attributed to tangibility, intangibility, corporate governance levels and the degree of company social responsibility. The sample consisted of Brazilian companies listed on the BM&F Bovespa Brazilian stock exchange and information was collected from the Bloomberg consulting database. We used a dynamic panel approach using the System Generalized of Moments Method (GMM-SYS) from Arellano and Bover (1995) and Blundell and Bond (1998). The results indicate significant evidence that intangibility imposed reductions to the persistence of company performance in most sectors. Tangibility and corporate governance levels have heterogeneous effects on persistent superior performance. Social responsibility levels positively and significantly impact the persistence of superior performance of public companies in Brazil.