Data Analysis & Endogeneity (smj-data-analysis)

When to trigger

• You have a performance regression with no endogeneity / reverse-causality treatment
• DID, IV, matching, or a selection model is chosen but not yet stress-tested
• Reviewers will ask "how do you know this is causal and not selection?"
• You need to plan the mechanism test and the robustness battery

The SMJ endogeneity mandate

Performance regressions with unaddressed endogeneity or reverse causality are the #1 SMJ rejection reason. Treat causal identification as a first-class part of the paper, not a footnote. The reviewer's mental model: firms that make this strategic choice are different in ways that also affect performance. You must close that door explicitly.

SMJ codifies this in Bettis, Gambardella, Helfat & Mitchell (2014), "Quantitative empirical analysis in strategic management," SMJ 35(7): 949–953: acknowledge endogeneity, make a good-faith effort to address it, and avoid data snooping / p-hacking. Report economic magnitudes, not just stars. SMJ will publish well-designed studies that report null results — so do not suppress a theory-relevant null.

Threat → tool map