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Does religion matter to informal finance? Evidence from trade credit in China

Author

Listed:
  • Chunfang Cao
  • Kam C. Chan
  • Wenxuan Hou
  • Fansheng Jia

Abstract

Informal finance plays an important role in transitional economies with weak legal institutions, such as China. As a major informal finance instrument, trade credit relies on informal institutions and enforcement. The paper argues that religion enhances the ethical climate in which firms do business, and it predicts that religiosity increases trade credit, in that religion enhances enforcement by increasing non-pecuniary cost and reducing risk-taking. The results based on Chinese non-state listed firms between 2003 and 2013 confirm the prediction that firms located in high-religiosity regions are associated with more trade credit, especially in regions where formal institutions are weak or formal financing channels are limited. Furthermore, the paper shows that religiosity reduces overdue trade credit. Finally, the results are driven by Buddhism, Taoism and Christianity, but not Islam.

Suggested Citation

  • Chunfang Cao & Kam C. Chan & Wenxuan Hou & Fansheng Jia, 2019. "Does religion matter to informal finance? Evidence from trade credit in China," Regional Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 53(10), pages 1410-1420, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:regstd:v:53:y:2019:i:10:p:1410-1420
    DOI: 10.1080/00343404.2019.1575506
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    Cited by:

    1. Simplice A. Asongu & Valentine B. Soumtang & Ofeh M. Edoh, 2021. "Financial determinants of informal financial development in Sub-Saharan Africa," Research Africa Network Working Papers 21/077, Research Africa Network (RAN).
    2. Zhao, Tianjiao, 2021. "Board network, investment efficiency, and the mediating role of CSR: Evidence from China," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 76(C), pages 897-919.
    3. Francesca Di Pietro & Francesca Masciarelli, 2022. "The Effect of Local Religiosity on Financing Cross-Regional Entrepreneurial Projects Via Crowdfunding (Local Religiosity and Crowdfinancing)," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 178(2), pages 429-443, June.
    4. Stefania Basiglio & Paola Vincentiis & Eleonora Isaia & Mariacristina Rossi, 2023. "Women-led Firms and Credit Access. A Gendered Story?," Italian Economic Journal: A Continuation of Rivista Italiana degli Economisti and Giornale degli Economisti, Springer;Società Italiana degli Economisti (Italian Economic Association), vol. 9(1), pages 199-233, March.
    5. Wei Yin & Berna Kirkulak-Uludag & Kent Matthews, 2020. "Financialization, religion, and social trust in rural China," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 15(10), pages 1-18, October.
    6. Zhu, Chen & Shen, Jim Huangnan & Lee, Chien-Chiang & Liu, Shouying, 2022. "Does religion belief matter to self-employment of rural elderly? Evidence from China," Journal of Asian Economics, Elsevier, vol. 83(C).
    7. Mago, Stephen & Sewela Modiba, Florah, 2022. "Does informal finance matter for micro and small businesses in Africa?," Small Business International Review, Asociación Española de Contabilidad y Administración de Empresas - AECA, vol. 6(1), pages 415-415, March.

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