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Digital finance and investment of micro and small enterprises: Evidence from China

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  • Lin, Aijie
  • Peng, Yulei
  • Wu, Xi

Abstract

Using China Micro and Small Enterprise Survey data, this paper examines how digital finance affects the investment behavior of MSEs in China. We find that digital finance significantly increases both MSEs' probability of applying for new investment projects and the number of projects applied. Specifically, our baseline model shows that MSEs that use digital finance are 7.5% more likely to apply for new investment projects than those who do not. The average number of new investment projects applied by MSEs that use digital finance is also 37.8% higher. Results are further substantiated by conducting a set of additional tests to rule out the potential confounding factors and a propensity score matching strategy to address for the potential self-selection bias. Heterogeneous impacts of digital finance are also studied in this paper. We find that the impact of digital finance is more prominent for younger enterprises and enterprises located in the central and western regions where there is relatively backward financial development. In the end, the underlying mechanism is further explored and the result shows that digital finance promotes the investment behavior of MSEs by reducing the degree of information asymmetry between the lender and the borrower, which alleviates the financing constraints of MSEs.

Suggested Citation

  • Lin, Aijie & Peng, Yulei & Wu, Xi, 2022. "Digital finance and investment of micro and small enterprises: Evidence from China," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 75(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:chieco:v:75:y:2022:i:c:s1043951x22001043
    DOI: 10.1016/j.chieco.2022.101846
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    Cited by:

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    3. Lin, Ying & Yan, Xiaohan & Yang, Xiuyun, 2023. "Digital finance and enterprise investment efficiency in China," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 90(C).
    4. Ding, Jinxiu & Li, Lingxue & Zhao, Jinsong, 2024. "How does fintech prompt corporations toward ESG sustainable development? Evidence from China," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 131(C).
    5. Geng Tian, 2022. "Influence of Digital Finance on Household Leverage Ratio from the Perspective of Consumption Effect and Income Effect," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-11, December.
    6. Azra Zaimovic & Anes Torlakovic & Almira Arnaut-Berilo & Tarik Zaimovic & Lejla Dedovic & Minela Nuhic Meskovic, 2023. "Mapping Financial Literacy: A Systematic Literature Review of Determinants and Recent Trends," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-30, June.
    7. Debao Dai & Mingzhu Fu & Liang Ye & Wei Shao, 2023. "Can Digital Inclusive Finance Help Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises Deleverage in China?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-19, April.
    8. Li, Nan & Zhou, Yifan, 2024. "Can digital financial development promote corporate green technology innovation?," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 92(C), pages 1562-1582.
    9. Lin, Baoguo & Dong, Xueqin, 2024. "Empirical Study on the Impact of Digital Finance on Commercial Credit Allocation in SMEs," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 61(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Digital finance; MSEs; Information asymmetry; Credit constraint; Corporate investment;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G20 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - General
    • G30 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - General
    • L60 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Manufacturing - - - General

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