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Bankruptcy risk, costs and corporate diversification

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  • Singhal, Rajeev
  • Zhu, Yun (Ellen)

Abstract

This paper studies the impact of diversification on firms that file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Prior research suggests that diversification affects both the probability and costs of distress. Treating bankruptcy as a special case of distress, we find that diversification reduces the likelihood of bankruptcy and liquidation in Chapter 11, which is consistent with the coinsurance hypothesis. However, we observe higher bankruptcy costs as measured by time spent in Chapter 11 and inefficient segment investment for diversified firms. Our evidence is consistent with the idea that diversification provides benefits to managers in terms of job security rather than to firms. Our findings may help firms to make diversification decisions and creditors determine lending policies toward different forms of organizations.

Suggested Citation

  • Singhal, Rajeev & Zhu, Yun (Ellen), 2013. "Bankruptcy risk, costs and corporate diversification," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 37(5), pages 1475-1489.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jbfina:v:37:y:2013:i:5:p:1475-1489
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jbankfin.2011.11.019
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    Cited by:

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    3. Raffaele Morandi Stagni & Andrea Fosfuri & Juan Santaló, 2021. "A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush: Technology search strategies and competition due to import penetration," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 42(8), pages 1516-1544, August.
    4. Xu, Chang & Katchova, Ani, 2018. "The Effect of Bank Consolidation on Agricultural Loan Availability," 2018 Annual Meeting, August 5-7, Washington, D.C. 273810, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
    5. Viswanathan Nagarajan & Pitabas Mohanty & Apalak Khatua, 2023. "Financing effects of corporate diversification: A review," Review of Managerial Science, Springer, vol. 17(7), pages 2555-2585, October.
    6. Wang, Li-Hsun, 2017. "Accounting quality and information asymmetry of foreign direct investment firms," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 42(C), pages 950-958.
    7. Maziar Ghasemi & Nazrul Hisyam Ab Razak* & Komeil Dehghani, 2018. "Determinants of Debt Structure in Ace Market Bursa Malaysia: A Panel Data Analysis," The Journal of Social Sciences Research, Academic Research Publishing Group, pages 390-395:6.
    8. Wang, Li-Hsun & Lin, Chu-Hsiung & Fung, Hung-Gay & Kao, Tzu-Chuan, 2019. "Foreign direct investment and downside risk: Evidence from Taiwan," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 57(C).
    9. Tokbolat, Yerzhan & Le, Hang, 2022. "Covid-19: Corporate diversification and post-crash returns," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 46(PB).
    10. USHIJIMA Tatsuo, 2016. "Corporate Diversification, Employee Bargaining Power, and Wages," Discussion papers 16103, Research Institute of Economy, Trade and Industry (RIETI).
    11. repec:cuf:journl:y:2017:v:18:i:1:agyei-boapeah is not listed on IDEAS
    12. Gupta, Kartick & Krishnamurti, Chandrasekhar, 2018. "Does corporate social responsibility engagement benefit distressed firms? The role of moral and exchange capital," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 50(C), pages 249-262.
    13. Pengfei Luo & Zhaojun Yang, 2021. "Investment and financing for cash flow discounted with group diversity," International Review of Finance, International Review of Finance Ltd., vol. 21(3), pages 769-785, September.
    14. Marisetty, Vijaya Bhaskar & Moturi, Sairam, 2023. "Boundaries of the firm and real earnings management," Journal of International Accounting, Auditing and Taxation, Elsevier, vol. 52(C).
    15. Henry Agyei-Boapeah, 2017. "Easing Financing and M&A Investment Constraints: The Role of Corporate Industrial Diversification," Annals of Economics and Finance, Society for AEF, vol. 18(2), pages 277-290, November.
    16. Stef, Nicolae & Ben Jabeur, Sami & Scherer, Robert F., 2022. "Time to resolve insolvency and political elections," International Review of Law and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 72(C).
    17. Islam, Md Shahidul & Alam, Md Samsul & Bin Hasan, Shehub & Mollah, Sabur, 2022. "Firm-level political risk and distance-to-default," Journal of Financial Stability, Elsevier, vol. 63(C).
    18. Ji, Yu & Shi, Lina & Zhang, Shunming, 2022. "Digital finance and corporate bankruptcy risk: Evidence from China," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 72(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Bankruptcy cost; Bankruptcy risk; Corporate diversification; Chapter 11;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G32 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Financing Policy; Financial Risk and Risk Management; Capital and Ownership Structure; Value of Firms; Goodwill
    • G33 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Bankruptcy; Liquidation
    • G34 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Mergers; Acquisitions; Restructuring; Corporate Governance

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