Abstract

The global financial crisis of 2007–2009 presented a challenge to all companies around the globe. This study analyzes whether companies that exhibited high performance characteristics in the pre-financial crisis period can maintain their high performance in the post-financial crisis period, and if so, what operating characteristics are most important in managing a company through such a period. The study empirically investigates 1,480 companies in the United States and 22 other countries (MSCI index) over the periods 1998–2007 (benchmark) and 2008–2009 (period of financial crisis) to identify HPC from the former period that exited, maintained, or entered HPC status in the latter period including: (1) the operating characteristics of those companies that were able to sustain high performance from 1998–2007 into 2008–2009; (2) the operating characteristics (performance drivers and performance measures) and associated risk factors which were most critical for companies that exited HPC status in 2008–2009; and (3) the operating characteristics which were most critical for companies that emerged to HPC status in the post-financial crisis period. The results provide direction for management of companies that aspire to HPC status and to maintain HPC status, particularly in times of global financial stress.