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Impacts of social trust on corporate leverage: Evidence from China

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  • Jin, Ming
  • Liu, Jinshan
  • Chen, Zhongfei

Abstract

This study investigates the effects of social trust on corporate leverage in China with the data of listed companies and Chinese General Social Survey. Results reveal that social trust has a positive impact on corporate leverage, and this result remains robust when terrain is used as an instrumental variable. Social trust also further affects corporate leverage in central cities with high gross domestic product per capita, indicating that the impacts of social trust depend on local development as well. Social trust has similar impacts on long- and short-term leverage, but it does not affect commercial credit leverage like how it affects bank credit leverage. The possible channels are through the corporate responsibility to shareholder and local financial development. Another impact of social trust on leverage is through that of liabilities. Furthermore, improving local formal institutions may change the effects of social trust. Our results remain unchanged after robustness checks.

Suggested Citation

  • Jin, Ming & Liu, Jinshan & Chen, Zhongfei, 2022. "Impacts of social trust on corporate leverage: Evidence from China," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 77(C), pages 505-521.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:reveco:v:77:y:2022:i:c:p:505-521
    DOI: 10.1016/j.iref.2021.10.018
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Social trust; Informal institution; Corporate leverage;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • M14 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - Corporate Culture; Diversity; Social Responsibility
    • G11 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Portfolio Choice; Investment Decisions
    • G32 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Financing Policy; Financial Risk and Risk Management; Capital and Ownership Structure; Value of Firms; Goodwill

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