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Evolution of Capital Structure in East Asia: Corporate Inertia or Endeavours?

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  • Driffield, Nigel

    (Aston University)

  • Pal, Sarmistha

    (University of Surrey)

Abstract

The present paper examines the capital structure adjustment dynamics of listed non-financial corporations in seven East Asian countries during 1994-2002. Compared to firms in the least affected countries, average leverages were much higher among firms in the worst affected countries while the average speeds of adjustment were lower. This general ranking is robust to various alternative specifications and sample selections. We argue that this pattern is closely linked to weaknesses in regulatory environment and lack of access to alternative sources of finance in the worst affected countries.

Suggested Citation

  • Driffield, Nigel & Pal, Sarmistha, 2008. "Evolution of Capital Structure in East Asia: Corporate Inertia or Endeavours?," IZA Discussion Papers 3426, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp3426
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    2. Mateja Gabrijelčič & Uroš Herman & Andreja Lenarčič, 2016. "Firm Performance and (Foreign) Debt Financing before and during the Crisis: Evidence from Firm-Level Data," Working Papers 15, European Stability Mechanism.
    3. Joshua S. Bahng (d'Arc) & Hyeong-Chul Jeong, 2012. "Nonlinear Behaviors in Capital Structure Decisions in Australian Firms," Review of Pacific Basin Financial Markets and Policies (RPBFMP), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 15(03), pages 1-19.
    4. Mihails Kuznecovs & Sarmistha Pal, 2011. "Does Corporate Governance Reform Necessarily Boost Firm Performance? Recent Evidence from Russia," CEDI Discussion Paper Series 11-06, Centre for Economic Development and Institutions(CEDI), Brunel University.
    5. Abd Halim Ahmad & Nur Adiana Hiau Abdullah, 2013. "Investigation of optimal capital structure in Malaysia: a panel threshold estimation," Studies in Economics and Finance, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 30(2), pages 108-117, May.
    6. Coricelli, Fabrizio & Driffield, Nigel & Pal, Sarmistha & Roland, Isabelle, 2012. "When does leverage hurt productivity growth? A firm-level analysis," Journal of International Money and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 31(6), pages 1674-1694.
    7. Coricelli, Fabrizio & , & Pal, Sarmistha & Roland, Isabelle, 2009. "Excess Leverage and Productivity Growth in Emerging Economies: Is There A Threshold Effect?," CEPR Discussion Papers 7617, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    8. Quratulain Zafar & Winai Wongsurawat & David Camino, 2019. "The determinants of leverage decisions: Evidence from Asian emerging markets," Cogent Economics & Finance, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 7(1), pages 1598836-159, January.
    9. Man Jin & Shunan Zhao & Subal C. Kumbhakar, 2020. "Information asymmetry and leverage adjustments: a semiparametric varying‐coefficient approach," Journal of the Royal Statistical Society Series A, Royal Statistical Society, vol. 183(2), pages 581-605, February.
    10. Razali Haron & Khairunisah Ibrahim & Fauzias Mat Nor & Izani Ibrahim, 2013. "Factors Affecting Speed of Adjustment to Target Leverage: Malaysia Evidence," Global Business Review, International Management Institute, vol. 14(2), pages 243-262, June.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    generalised methods of moments; capital structure dynamics; partial adjustment models; inertia and endeavours; firm- and time-varying speed;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G32 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Financing Policy; Financial Risk and Risk Management; Capital and Ownership Structure; Value of Firms; Goodwill
    • O16 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Financial Markets; Saving and Capital Investment; Corporate Finance and Governance

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