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Financial Constraints, Intangible Assets, and Firm Dynamics: Theory and Evidence

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  • Sophia Chen

Abstract

I study whether firms' reliance on intangible assets is an important determinant of financing constraints. I construct new measures of firm-level physical and intangible assets using accounting information on U.S. public firms. I find that firms with a higher share of intangible assets in total assets start smaller, grow faster, and have higher Tobin’s q. Asset tangibility predicts firm dynamics and Tobin’s q up to 30 years but has diminishing predicative power. I develop a model of endogenous financial constraints in which firm size and value are limited by the enforceability of financial contracts. Asset tangibility matters because physical and intangible assets differ in their residual value when the contract is repudiated. This mechanism is qualitatively important to explain stylized facts of firm dynamics and Tobin’s q.

Suggested Citation

  • Sophia Chen, 2014. "Financial Constraints, Intangible Assets, and Firm Dynamics: Theory and Evidence," IMF Working Papers 2014/088, International Monetary Fund.
    • Handle: RePEc:imf:imfwpa:2014/088
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Sophia Chen & Estelle P. Dauchy, 2017. "Tax‐Adjusted q Model with Intangible Assets: Theory and Evidence from Temporary Investment Tax Incentives," Southern Economic Journal, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 83(4), pages 972-992, April.
    2. Jose Ignacio Lopez & Virginia Olivella, 2018. "The importance of intangible capital for the transmission of financial shocks," Review of Economic Dynamics, Elsevier for the Society for Economic Dynamics, vol. 30, pages 223-238, October.
    3. Nusrat Jahan, 2020. "Does Asset Durability Impede Financing? An Empirical Assessment," Carleton Economic Papers 20-17, Carleton University, Department of Economics, revised 07 Aug 2022.
    4. de Ridder, Maarten, 2016. "Investment in productivity and the long-run effect of financial crises on output," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 86180, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    5. Richard Fu & Ajay Subramanian & Anand Venkateswaran, 2016. "Project Characteristics, Incentives, and Team Production," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 62(3), pages 785-801, March.
    6. Ch.-M. CHEVALIER, 2018. "Financial constraints of innovative firms and sectoral growth," Documents de Travail de l'Insee - INSEE Working Papers g2018-05, Institut National de la Statistique et des Etudes Economiques.
    7. FURUKAWA Yuichi & NIWA Sumiko, 2021. "Deflation and Declining Business Dynamism in a Cash-in-Advance Economy," Discussion papers 21058, Research Institute of Economy, Trade and Industry (RIETI).

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