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Trade credit and profitability in production networks

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  • Gofman, Michael
  • Wu, Youchang

Abstract

We construct a sample of over 200,000 supply chains between 2003 and 2018 to conduct a chain-based analysis of trade credit. Our study uncovers novel stylized facts about trade credit both within and across supply chains. More upstream firms borrow more from suppliers, lend more to customers, and hold more net trade credit. This upstreamness effect in trade credit is weaker for more profitable firms and for longer chains. Firms in more central or more profitable chains provide more net trade credit. Our results are generally consistent with the recursive moral hazard theory of trade credit. Evidence for the financing advantage theory is mixed.

Suggested Citation

  • Gofman, Michael & Wu, Youchang, 2022. "Trade credit and profitability in production networks," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 143(1), pages 593-618.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jfinec:v:143:y:2022:i:1:p:593-618
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jfineco.2021.05.054
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    Cited by:

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    2. Haoyu Gao & Peixuan Zhao & Huiyu Wen, 2023. "How does credit information sharing affect trade credit? Evidence from China," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 63(5), pages 4909-4938, December.
    3. Ersahin, Nuri & Giannetti, Mariassunta & Huang, Ruidi, 2024. "Trade credit and the stability of supply chains," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 155(C).
    4. Giovanna Culot & Matteo Podrecca & Guido Nassimbeni & Guido Orzes & Marco Sartor, 2023. "Using supply chain databases in academic research: A methodological critique," Journal of Supply Chain Management, Institute for Supply Management, vol. 59(1), pages 3-25, January.
    5. Wali Ullah, G M & Luo, Juan & Yawson, Alfred, 2024. "Managerial ability and supply chain power," Journal of Contemporary Accounting and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 20(2).
    6. Qicheng Zhao & Zhouwei Wang & Yuping Song, 2024. "Systematic Research on Multi-dimensional and Multiple Correlation Contagion Networks of Extreme Risk in China’s Banking Industry," Computational Economics, Springer;Society for Computational Economics, vol. 64(2), pages 1137-1162, August.
    7. Aral, Karca D. & Giambona, Erasmo & Lopez A., Ricardo & Wang, Ye, 2024. "Board Gender Diversity and Buyer-Supplier Relationships," MPRA Paper 122823, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    8. Lai, Shaojie & Chen, Lihan & Wang, Qing Sophie & Anderson, Hamish, 2022. "Natural disasters, trade credit, and firm performance," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 116(C).
    9. Zhang, Cheng & Lee, Yun-Chi & Ho, Kung-Cheng & Shen, Xixi, 2023. "Influence of institutional differences on trade credit use during pandemics," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 77(C).
    10. Ding, Feng & Liu, Qiliang & Shi, Hanzhong & Wang, Wenming & Wu, Shan, 2023. "Firms' access to informal financing: The role of shared managers in trade credit access," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 79(C).
    11. Tarkom, Augustine & Yang, Lukai, 2024. "Presidential economic approval rating and trade credit," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 93(C).
    12. Feng, Qianbin & Hu, Xiao & Deng, Xinyi & Lu, Jun, 2023. "Anti-corruption campaign and capacity utilization of state-owned enterprises: Evidence from China’s central committee inspection," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 80(C), pages 319-346.
    13. Jie Peng & Boluo Liu & Jing Wu & Xiangang Xin, 2024. "Financial statement comparability and global supply chain relations," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 55(3), pages 342-360, April.
    14. Wang, Wenya & Xu, Qiyu & Yang, Ei, 2024. "Bargaining power and trade credit: The heterogeneous effect of credit contractions," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 161(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Trade credit; Supply chains; Production networks; Profitability;
    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
    • L14 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Transactional Relationships; Contracts and Reputation
    • L15 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Information and Product Quality

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