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The determinants of financial structure: How to explain the “paradox of insolvency and debt” among SMEs in Cameroon?

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  • Tchankam, Jean-Paul
  • Feudjo, Jules Roger
  • Gandja, Serge Valant

Abstract

The paradox of insolvent enterprises regularly contracting new debts is the motivation behind this research. Statistical tests carried out on a sample of 62 manufacturing firms show that the financial behaviour of these enterprises is mainly explained by two factors: the rate of asset immobilization and the manager's social capital. The impact of the first factor is due to the asset capacity to serve guarantees, and the impact of the second is inherent to the possibility that enables relational networks to get around norms or to reach informal circuits and alternative sources of financing. The latter aspect is the beginning of the answer to the insolvency and indebtedness paradox. This result denotes the coexistence of two parallel dimensions in the Cameroon business environment. Besides the formal sphere, where the lack of confidence and readability between the actors pushes financial backers to excesses of prudence, subsists an informal universe where confidence, loyalty and solidarity seem to cement business relationships. However, the economic rationality of actors in these networks remains problematic.

Suggested Citation

  • Tchankam, Jean-Paul & Feudjo, Jules Roger & Gandja, Serge Valant, 2016. "The determinants of financial structure: How to explain the “paradox of insolvency and debt” among SMEs in Cameroon?," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 36(C), pages 73-84.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:riibaf:v:36:y:2016:i:c:p:73-84
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ribaf.2015.09.013
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    Cited by:

    1. Asongu, Simplice A. & Nwachukwu, Jacinta C., 2017. "The synergy of financial sector development and information sharing in financial access: Propositions and empirical evidence," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 40(C), pages 242-258.
    2. Naradda Gamage, Sisira Kumara & Ekanayake, EMS & Abeyrathne, GAKNJ & Prasanna, RPIR & Jayasundara, JMSB & Rajapakshe, PSK, 2019. "Global Challenges and Survival Strategies of the SMEs in the Era of Economic Globalization: A Systematic Review," MPRA Paper 98419, University Library of Munich, Germany.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Financial structure; Ownership structure; Social capital; SME;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G30 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - General
    • 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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