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Does national culture affect international corporate cash holdings?

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  • Chang, Kiyoung
  • Noorbakhsh, Abbas

Abstract

The current literature frequently examines the effects of shareholder rights protection on corporate cash holdings in the context of agency theory. In this study, we show that national culture influences corporate managers' cash holding behavior beyond the effects of corporate governance and financial market developments in each country through the perception of agency costs and value of financial flexibility. Using Hofstede's cultural dimension indices, we find that corporations hold larger cash and liquid balances in countries where the people tend to avoid uncertainty more, are culturally more masculine, and have longer term orientation.

Suggested Citation

  • Chang, Kiyoung & Noorbakhsh, Abbas, 2009. "Does national culture affect international corporate cash holdings?," Journal of Multinational Financial Management, Elsevier, vol. 19(5), pages 323-342, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:mulfin:v:19:y:2009:i:5:p:323-342
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    References listed on IDEAS

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