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Financial Infrastructure and Access to Finance for European SMEs

Author

Listed:
  • Alin Marius Andrieș

    (Faculty of Economics and Business Administration & Centre for Research in Finance, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi, Bvd. Carol I, nr. 22, Iasi 700505, Romania)

  • Nicu Marcu

    (The Bucharest University of Economic Studies, 6 Piata Romana, Bucharest 010374, Romania)

  • Florin Oprea

    (Faculty of Economics and Business Administration & Centre for European Studies, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi, Bvd. Carol I, nr. 22, Iasi 700505, Romania)

  • Mihaela Tofan

    (Faculty of Economics and Business Administration & Centre for Research in Finance, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi, Bvd. Carol I, nr. 22, Iasi 700505, Romania)

Abstract

In this article we assess credit rationing across European countries by analyzing the impact of banking competition on the access to finance of firms. The importance of the financial sector in promoting the sustainable economy is recognized by the European Union, that has taken the lead in efforts to build a financial system that supports sustainable growth. However, it should be acknowledged that in highly competitive business environments, it is not easy to challenge the existing paradigms, since companies need to be profitable in addition to improving their environmental performance. Using data from European firms Survey on the Access to Finance of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), our results, using Probit regression, support the Market Power Hypothesis, outlining that more concentrated banking markets are characterized by higher levels of credit rationing. Also, our results reveal that small firms are more credit rationed compared to large firms. The analysis shows that financial constraints are stronger in the countries more affected by the financial crisis.

Suggested Citation

  • Alin Marius Andrieș & Nicu Marcu & Florin Oprea & Mihaela Tofan, 2018. "Financial Infrastructure and Access to Finance for European SMEs," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(10), pages 1-15, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:10:y:2018:i:10:p:3400-:d:171764
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Halil Dincer Kaya, 2023. "The Impact Of The 2008-2009 Global Crisis On Retailers’ And Core Industry Firms’ Loan Applications," Annals - Economy Series, Constantin Brancusi University, Faculty of Economics, vol. 1, pages 16-24, February.
    3. Halil D. Kaya, 2023. "The Impact Of The 2008-2009 Global Crisis On Retailers’ And Core Industry Firms’ Loan Applications: The Case Of Eastern Europe And Central Asia," Annals - Economy Series, Constantin Brancusi University, Faculty of Economics, vol. 4, pages 5-12, August.
    4. Lisa Crosato & Caterina Liberati & Marco Repetto, 2021. "Look Who's Talking: Interpretable Machine Learning for Assessing Italian SMEs Credit Default," Papers 2108.13914, arXiv.org, revised Sep 2021.
    5. Langzi Chen & Zhihong Chen & Jian Li, 2019. "Can Trade Credit Maintain Sustainable R&D Investment of SMEs?—Evidence from China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-16, February.
    6. Salman Ali & Guihua Li & Ping Yang & Kramat Hussain & Yousaf Latif, 2020. "Unpacking the importance of intangible skills in new product development and sustainable business performance; strategies for marketing managers," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 15(9), pages 1-26, September.
    7. Obey Dzomonda, 2022. "Environmental Sustainability Commitment and Access to Finance by Small and Medium Enterprises: The Role of Financial Performance and Corporate Governance," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-20, July.
    8. Francisco-Javier Canto-Cuevas & María-José Palacín-Sánchez & Filippo Di Pietro, 2019. "Trade Credit as a Sustainable Resource during an SME’s Life Cycle," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-16, January.

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