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Trade-off-theory vs. pecking order theory and the determinants of corporate leverage: Evidence from a panel data analysis upon French SMEs (2002–2010)

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  • Philippe Adair
  • Mohamed Adaskou
  • David McMillan

Abstract

We test the assumptions of trade-off theory (TOT) and pecking order theory (POT) regarding corporate leverage. The dependent variable being the debt ratio, we apply a linear model upon a balanced panel data-set of 2,370 French SMEs over the period 2002–2010. In accordance to TOT, trade credit acts as a signal to creditors who have no private information about the firm and access to credit relies on guarantees. The relationship between corporate leverage and the profitability of SMEs as well as growth opportunities support POT. However, the relationship between corporate leverage and the age of SMEs, as well as their size, remains inconclusive with respect to both theories.

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  • Philippe Adair & Mohamed Adaskou & David McMillan, 2015. "Trade-off-theory vs. pecking order theory and the determinants of corporate leverage: Evidence from a panel data analysis upon French SMEs (2002–2010)," Cogent Economics & Finance, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 3(1), pages 1006477-100, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:oaefxx:v:3:y:2015:i:1:p:1006477
    DOI: 10.1080/23322039.2015.1006477
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    Cited by:

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    7. Abdullah, Hariem & Tursoy, Turgut, 2021. "Capital structure and firm performance: a panel causality test," MPRA Paper 105871, University Library of Munich, Germany.
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    9. Valeriya Valer’evna Metel’skaya, 2021. "Correlation-and-regression analysis of the influence of macroeconomic factors on capital structure of Russian corporations under crisis conditions," Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Springer, vol. 10(1), pages 1-34, December.
    10. Kanika Sachdeva & Abhishek Agarwal, 2023. "Factor influencing leveraging decision of Indian companies: evidence from panel data analysis," International Journal of Business and Globalisation, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 35(1/2), pages 134-146.
    11. Nenubari John Ikue & Joseph Osaro Denwi & John Akin Sodipo & Linus B. Enegesi, 2022. "Bank-specific performance indicators, macroeconomic variables and capital adequacy of Nigerian banking industry," International Journal of Research in Business and Social Science (2147-4478), Center for the Strategic Studies in Business and Finance, vol. 11(6), pages 288-299, September.
    12. Thi van Hoang & Călin Gurău & Amine Lahiani & Thuy-Luu Seran, 2017. "Do crises impact capital structure? A study of French micro-enterprises," Post-Print hal-03608784, HAL.
    13. Thi Hong Hoang & Călin Gurău & Amine Lahiani & Thuy-Luu Seran, 2018. "Do crises impact capital structure? A study of French micro-enterprises," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 50(1), pages 181-199, January.
    14. Philippe Adair & Mohamed Adaskou, 2019. "Credit rationing and French mature SMEs: A disequilibrium model (2002-2010)," Erudite Working Paper 2019-02, Erudite.
    15. Philippe Adair & Mohamed Adaskou, 2017. "The capital structure of French SMEs and impact of the financial crisis: A dynamic panel data analysis (2002-2010)," Working Papers hal-01667313, HAL.
    16. Raja Zekri Ben Hamouda & Faouzi Jilani, 2023. "Impact of the Global Financial Crisis and the Tunisia’s Jasmine Revolution on the Corporate Capital Structure: Evidence from Four Arab Countries," International Journal of Economics and Financial Issues, Econjournals, vol. 13(6), pages 124-134, November.
    17. Francisco Javier Vásquez Tejos & Hernán Marcelo Pape Larre, 2021. "Market Timing and Pecking Order Theory in Latin America," Revista Finanzas y Politica Economica, Universidad Católica de Colombia, vol. 13(2), pages 345-370, August.

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