An analysis of the disposition of assets in a joint venture

The final disposition of assets at the conclusion of joint venture arrangements is important to an understanding of the motivation to pursue a joint venture and the wealth created by these collaborations. A comparison between conventional asset sales and asset sales occurring within a joint venture structure shows that the total wealth created is larger if the assets have been under shared control in a joint venture. Our results support the contention that the establishment of a joint venture creates an opportunity for a relationship-based exchange of information that can serve as a mechanism to transfer assets in the presence of a high degree of asymmetric information.