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Determinants of the adjustment speed of capital structure

Author

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  • Tesfaye T. Lemma
  • Minga Negash

Abstract

Purpose - – The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of institutional, macroeconomic, industry, and firm characteristics on the adjustment speed of corporate capital structure within the context of developing countries. Design/methodology/approach - – The authors considers a sample of 986 firms drawn from nine developing countries in Africa over a period of ten years (1999-2008). The study develops dynamic partial adjustment models that link capital structure adjustment speed and institutional, macroeconomic, and firm characteristics. The analysis is carried out using system Generalized Method of Moments procedure which is robust to data heterogeneity and endogeneity problems. Findings - – The paper finds that firms in developing countries do temporarily deviate from (and partially adjust to) their target capital structures. Our results also indicate that: more profitable firms tend to rapidly adjust their capital structures than less profitable firms; the effects of firm size, growth opportunities, and the gap between observed and target leverage ratios on adjustment speed are functions of how one measures capital structure; and adjustment speed tends to be faster for firms in industries that have relatively higher risk and countries with common law tradition, less developed stock markets, lower income, and weaker creditor rights protection. Research limitations/implications - – Future research should focus on examination of the adjustment speed of debt maturity structure. Identification of industry-specific characteristics that affect the pace with which firms adjust their capital structure to the optimum is another possible avenue for future research. Practical implications - – Our findings have practical implications for corporate managers, governments, legislators, and policymakers. Originality/value - – The study focuses on firms in developing countries for which the literature on adjustment speed of capital structure is virtually non-existent. Furthermore, unlike previous works on capital structure, it explicitly models industry variable as one of the determinants of adjustment speed. Therefore, it contributes to the literature on capital structure and adjustment speed in general and to the literature on developing countries in particular.

Suggested Citation

  • Tesfaye T. Lemma & Minga Negash, 2014. "Determinants of the adjustment speed of capital structure," Journal of Applied Accounting Research, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 15(1), pages 64-99, May.
  • Handle: RePEc:eme:jaarpp:v:15:y:2014:i:1:p:64-99
    DOI: 10.1108/JAAR-03-2012-0023
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Alexis Kythreotis & Bagher Asgarnezhad Nouri & Milad Soltani, 2018. "Determinants of Capital Structure and Speed of Adjustment: Evidence from Iran and Australia," International Journal of Business Administration, International Journal of Business Administration, Sciedu Press, vol. 9(1), pages 88-113, January.
    2. Dawood Ashraf & Mohsin Khawaja & M. Ishaq Bhatti, 2022. "Raising capital amid economic policy uncertainty: an empirical investigation," Financial Innovation, Springer;Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, vol. 8(1), pages 1-32, December.
    3. Athenia Bongani Sibindi, 2018. "Determinants of Bank Capital Structure: Evidence from South Africa," Acta Universitatis Danubius. OEconomica, Danubius University of Galati, issue 14(5), pages 108-126, OCTOBER.
    4. Aly Saad Mohamed Dawood & Mahmoud Otaify, 2021. "Target Capital Structure of Egyptian Listed Firms: Importance of Growth and Risk Factors," International Journal of Financial Research, International Journal of Financial Research, Sciedu Press, vol. 12(1), pages 158-173, January.
    5. Canarella, Giorgio & Miller, Stephen M., 2022. "Firm size, corporate debt, R&D activity, and agency costs: Exploring dynamic and non-linear effects," The Journal of Economic Asymmetries, Elsevier, vol. 25(C).
    6. Adepoju Adeoba Asaolu, 2021. "Capital Structure and Firm Performance: A comparative Study of Oil & Gas and Manufacturing Sectors in the United States of America," Business and Management Studies, Redfame publishing, vol. 7(1), pages 29-44, March.
    7. Emmanuel Kukah Damina & Taiwo Muritala & Abbas Umar Ibrahim, 2022. "Effect of Speed of Adjustments on Capital Structure Decision: A Conceptual Analysis," International Journal of Economics and Financial Issues, Econjournals, vol. 12(6), pages 15-21, November.
    8. Natalia Szomko, 2020. "Factors Associated with the Capital Structure of Polish Companies in the Long and Short Term," Gospodarka Narodowa. The Polish Journal of Economics, Warsaw School of Economics, issue 1, pages 55-74.
    9. Bajaj, Yukti & Kashiramka, Smita & Singh, Shveta, 2021. "Economic policy uncertainty and leverage dynamics: Evidence from an emerging economy," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 77(C).
    10. Sardo, Filipe & Serrasqueiro, Zélia & Félix, Elisabete G.S., 2020. "Does Venture Capital affect capital structure rebalancing? The case of small knowledge-intensive service firms," Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, Elsevier, vol. 53(C), pages 170-179.
    11. Natalia Szomko, 2017. "The Importance of Estimation Method Choice for the Analysis of the Determinants of Capital Structure– An Example of Poland," World Journal of Applied Economics, WERI-World Economic Research Institute, vol. 3(1), pages 3-20, June.
    12. Khawaja, Mohsin & Bhatti, M. Ishaq & Ashraf, Dawood, 2019. "Ownership and control in a double decision framework for raising capital," Emerging Markets Review, Elsevier, vol. 41(C).
    13. G. Oka Warmana & I. Ketut Rahyuda & Ida Bagus Anom Purbawangsa & Ni Luh Gede Sri Artini, 2020. "Investigating Capital Structure Speed of Adjustment (SOA) of Indonesian Companies for Corporate Value," Global Journal of Flexible Systems Management, Springer;Global Institute of Flexible Systems Management, vol. 21(3), pages 215-231, September.
    14. Steele C. West & Amin W. Mugera & Ross S. Kingwell, 2021. "Drivers of farm business capital structure and its speed of adjustment: evidence from Western Australia’s Wheatbelt," Australian Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Australian Agricultural and Resource Economics Society, vol. 65(2), pages 391-412, April.

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