The report is one of the most exhaustive studies of private equity involving thousands of companies going back to the 1980s. Among the chief findings of the report are that private equity-owned firms are, on average, better managed than government, family, or privately owned firms. Firms acquired by private equity groups enjoy productivity growth 2% greater than average; in France, private equity funds act as an engine of growth for small and medium size enterprises. Private equity investment in emerging markets raised increasingly significant funds between 2004 and 2007. The research project included an international team of noted academics led by Josh Lerner, Jacob H. Schiff Professor of Investment Banking at Harvard Business School.

"At our Annual Meeting 2009 in Davos-Klosters, heads of state, central bankers and finance ministers from over 60 countries, as well as chairmen and CEOs from over 200 of the world’s leading financial institutions engaged in discussions on how to revive economic growth and promote long-term financial stability. In the context of these ongoing efforts the Working Papers provide further insight into the role of private equity in the global economy," said Max von Bismarck, Director and Head of Investors Industries, World Economic Forum.

 Press release
 Full report (PDF)