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Leasing Decisions and Credit Constraints: Empirical Analysis on a Sample of Italian Firms

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  • Stefania Cosci
  • Roberto Guida
  • Valentina Meliciani

Abstract

Although lease financing provides a significant source of funds enabling many companies to invest, few studies examine the determinants of leasing in Continental Europe and we are aware of no study on the Italian case. This paper investigates the relationship between financial constraints and leasing decisions for a sample of Italian firms. In particular, it investigates the determinants of firm leasing decisions, the degree of substitutability between leasing and debt, and the impact of leasing on the probability of firms feeling ‘credit rationed’. Our results support the hypothesis that leasing preserves capital, thus helping to relieve credit constraints.

Suggested Citation

  • Stefania Cosci & Roberto Guida & Valentina Meliciani, 2015. "Leasing Decisions and Credit Constraints: Empirical Analysis on a Sample of Italian Firms," European Financial Management, European Financial Management Association, vol. 21(2), pages 377-398, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:eufman:v:21:y:2015:i:2:p:377-398
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-036X.2013.12019.x
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    3. Wang, Wei & Feng, Lipan & Li, Yongjian & Xu, Fangchao & Deng, Qianzhou, 2020. "Role of financial leasing in a capital-constrained service supply chain," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 143(C).
    4. Carmen Gallucci & Vincenzo Formisano & Michele Modina & Rosalia Santulli, 2017. "Beyond Banks¡¯ Capitalization: What Affects the Credit Lines?," International Journal of Financial Research, International Journal of Financial Research, Sciedu Press, vol. 8(4), pages 71-79, October.
    5. Munir, Qaiser & Kok, Sook Ching & Teplova, Tamara & Li, Tongxia, 2017. "Powerful CEOs, debt financing, and leasing in Chinese SMEs: Evidence from threshold model," The North American Journal of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 42(C), pages 487-503.
    6. Peter Vaz da Fonseca & Andrea Decourt Savelli & Michele Nascimento Juca, 2020. "A Systematic Review of the Influence of Taxation on Corporate Capital Structure," International Journal of Economics & Business Administration (IJEBA), International Journal of Economics & Business Administration (IJEBA), vol. 0(2), pages 155-178.
    7. repec:mth:csbm88:v:4:y:2017:i:2:p:14-23 is not listed on IDEAS
    8. Jaszczuk Joanna & Białek-Jaworska Anna & Opolski Krzysztof & Sylwestrzak Marek & Trzpioła Katarzyna, 2018. "Leasing Puzzle in Polish Small Firms Listed on the Alternative Market," Central European Economic Journal, Sciendo, vol. 5(52), pages 25-39, January.
    9. Ilayda Nemlioglu & Sushanta K. Mallick, 2017. "Do Managerial Practices Matter in Innovation and Firm Performance Relations? New Evidence from the UK," European Financial Management, European Financial Management Association, vol. 23(5), pages 1016-1061, October.

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