IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jijfss/v13y2025i1p18-d1582327.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Debt Capital and Dividend Policy as Complementary Indicators of Firm Valuation

Author

Listed:
  • Okechukwu Enyeribe Njoku

    (Department of Business Administration, Kumoh National Institute of Technology, Gumi 39177, Republic of Korea)

  • Younghwan Lee

    (Department of Business Administration, Kumoh National Institute of Technology, Gumi 39177, Republic of Korea)

Abstract

This study investigates the interdependencies between debt capital and dividend policy as complementary factors influencing firm value among corporations listed on the Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI). Using Tobin’s Q as a firm value metric and employing robust econometric techniques (OLS, 2-SLS, and GMM), the analysis reveals that while debt and dividend policies independently reduce firm value, their interaction produces a synergistic effect that increases value. The findings further indicate the dual role of Chaebol ownership structures, which, despite their association with lower firm value, mitigate the negative effects of financial policies. Additionally, firm size is found to negatively impact value, whereas free cash flow has a significant positive effect. By disentangling the complex dynamics of capital structure, dividend strategies, and ownership configurations, this study offers actionable insights for managers, investors, and policymakers. It emphasizes the importance of balanced financial practices and governance reforms tailored to concentrated ownership environments.

Suggested Citation

  • Okechukwu Enyeribe Njoku & Younghwan Lee, 2025. "Debt Capital and Dividend Policy as Complementary Indicators of Firm Valuation," IJFS, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-26, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijfss:v:13:y:2025:i:1:p:18-:d:1582327
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7072/13/1/18/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7072/13/1/18/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Ivo Welch, 2004. "Capital Structure and Stock Returns," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 112(1), pages 106-131, February.
    2. Li, Michelle & Roberts, Helen, 2023. "Zero leverage and dividend policy," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 58(PB).
    3. Stijn Claessens & Simeon Djankov & Joseph P. H. Fan & Larry H. P. Lang, 2002. "Disentangling the Incentive and Entrenchment Effects of Large Shareholdings," Journal of Finance, American Finance Association, vol. 57(6), pages 2741-2771, December.
    4. Okechukwu Enyeribe Njoku & Younghwan Lee, 2024. "Revisiting the Effect of Dividend Policy on Firm Performance and Value: Empirical Evidence from the Korean Market," IJFS, MDPI, vol. 12(1), pages 1-36, February.
    5. Mitton, Todd, 2004. "Corporate governance and dividend policy in emerging markets," Emerging Markets Review, Elsevier, vol. 5(4), pages 409-426, December.
    6. Ibhagui, Oyakhilome W. & Olokoyo, Felicia O., 2018. "Leverage and firm performance: New evidence on the role of firm size," The North American Journal of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 45(C), pages 57-82.
    7. Brockman, Paul & Unlu, Emre, 2009. "Dividend policy, creditor rights, and the agency costs of debt," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 92(2), pages 276-299, May.
    8. Jensen, Michael C. & Meckling, William H., 1976. "Theory of the firm: Managerial behavior, agency costs and ownership structure," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 3(4), pages 305-360, October.
    9. Joshua Abor, 2005. "The effect of capital structure on profitability: an empirical analysis of listed firms in Ghana," Journal of Risk Finance, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 6(5), pages 438-445, December.
    10. Hyunmin Oh & Sambock Park, 2021. "Corporate Sustainable Management, Dividend Policy and Chaebol," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(13), pages 1-19, July.
    11. Miles, James A. & Ezzell, John R., 1980. "The Weighted Average Cost of Capital, Perfect Capital Markets, and Project Life: A Clarification," Journal of Financial and Quantitative Analysis, Cambridge University Press, vol. 15(3), pages 719-730, September.
    12. Michael S. Rozeff, 1982. "Growth, Beta And Agency Costs As Determinants Of Dividend Payout Ratios," Journal of Financial Research, Southern Finance Association;Southwestern Finance Association, vol. 5(3), pages 249-259, September.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Paul McGuinness & Kevin Lam & João Vieito, 2015. "Gender and other major board characteristics in China: Explaining corporate dividend policy and governance," Asia Pacific Journal of Management, Springer, vol. 32(4), pages 989-1038, December.
    2. Connelly, J. Thomas & Limpaphayom, Piman & Nagarajan, Nandu J., 2012. "Form versus substance: The effect of ownership structure and corporate governance on firm value in Thailand," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 36(6), pages 1722-1743.
    3. Liang Shao & Chuck C.Y. Kwok & Omrane Guedhami, 2013. "Dividend Policy: Balancing Shareholders' And Creditors' Interests," Journal of Financial Research, Southern Finance Association;Southwestern Finance Association, vol. 36(1), pages 43-66, January.
    4. Yasuharu Aoki, 2014. "How Does the Largest Shareholder Affect Dividends?," International Review of Finance, International Review of Finance Ltd., vol. 14(4), pages 613-645, December.
    5. Paolo Saona & Pablo San Martín, 2018. "Determinants of firm value in Latin America: an analysis of firm attributes and institutional factors," Review of Managerial Science, Springer, vol. 12(1), pages 65-112, January.
    6. Jabbouri, Imad, 2016. "Determinants of corporate dividend policy in emerging markets: Evidence from MENA stock markets," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 37(C), pages 283-298.
    7. Schmid, Thomas & Ampenberger, Markus & Kaserer, Christoph & Achleitner, Ann-Kristin, 2010. "Controlling shareholders and payout policy: do founding families have a special 'taste for dividends'?," CEFS Working Paper Series 2010-01, Technische Universität München (TUM), Center for Entrepreneurial and Financial Studies (CEFS).
    8. Tran, Quoc Trung & Alphonse, Pascal & Nguyen, Xuan Minh, 2017. "Dividend policy: Shareholder rights and creditor rights under the impact of the global financial crisis," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 64(C), pages 502-512.
    9. Boubaker, Sabri & Derouiche, Imen & Lasfer, Meziane, 2015. "Geographic location, excess control rights, and cash holdings," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 42(C), pages 24-37.
    10. Muhammad Iqbal & Faisal Javed, 2017. "The Moderating Role of Corporate Governance on the Relationship between Capital Structure and Financial Performance: Evidence from Manufacturing Sector of Pakistan," International Journal of Research in Business and Social Science (2147-4478), Center for the Strategic Studies in Business and Finance, vol. 6(1), pages 89-105, January.
    11. Mehmet Levent Erdaş & Emel Bachá Sımoes, 2020. "The Relationship between Audit Mechanisms and Dividend Payout Policy within the Framework of Corporate Governance: The Case of Turkey," Journal of Economy Culture and Society, Istanbul University, Faculty of Economics, vol. 62(62), pages 255-284, December.
    12. Jiang, Fuxiu & Ma, Yunbiao & Shi, Beibei, 2017. "Stock liquidity and dividend payouts," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 42(C), pages 295-314.
    13. Muhammad Sadiq Shahid, PhD & Dr.Faid Gul & Muhammad Rizwan & Muhammad Hassan Bucha, PhD, 2016. "Ownership Structure, Board Size, Board Composition And Dividend Policy: New Evidence From Two Emerging Markets," IBT Journal of Business Studies (JBS), Ilma University, Faculty of Management Science, vol. 12(2), pages 25-36.
    14. Vu Quang Trinh & Ngan Duong Cao & Linh Hai Dinh & Hong Ngoc Nguyen, 2021. "Boardroom gender diversity and dividend payout strategies: Effects of mergers deals," International Journal of Finance & Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 26(4), pages 6014-6035, October.
    15. Lepetit, L. & Meslier, C. & Strobel, F. & Wardhana, L., 2018. "Bank dividends, agency costs and shareholder and creditor rights," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 56(C), pages 93-111.
    16. Peter E. Ayunku & Dumani Markjackson*, 2019. "Determinants of Dividend Payout Policy of Listed Corporations in Nigeria," Business, Management and Economics Research, Academic Research Publishing Group, vol. 5(9), pages 134-141, 09-2019.
    17. Eyup Kadioglu & Saim Kilic & Ender Aykut Yilmaz, 2017. "Testing the Relationship between Free Cash Flow and Company Performance in Borsa Istanbul," International Business Research, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 10(5), pages 148-158, May.
    18. Zubaida Batool & Attiya Yasmin Javid, 2014. "Dividend Policy and Role of Corporate Governance in Manufacturing Sector of Pakistan," PIDE-Working Papers 2014:109, Pakistan Institute of Development Economics.
    19. Thomas O'Connor & Julie Byrne, 2012. "Shareholder and creditor legal rights and the outcome model of dividends," Economics Department Working Paper Series n225-12.pdf, Department of Economics, National University of Ireland - Maynooth.
    20. Basharat Khan & Qiujun Zhao & Amjad Iqbal & Irfan Ullah & Shahab Aziz, 2022. "Internal Dynamics of Dividend Policy in East-Asia: A Comparative Study of Japan and South Korea," SAGE Open, , vol. 12(2), pages 21582440221, April.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jijfss:v:13:y:2025:i:1:p:18-:d:1582327. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.