IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eur/ejesjr/272.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

The Factors Behind Bulgaria’s (Non) Convergence

Author

Listed:
  • Silvia Kirova

    (Senior Assistant Professor, PhD, University of National and World Economy, Sofia)

Abstract

This paper looks at the real convergence of Bulgaria in the period 1999-2018 and tries to identify and describe the factors that have stimulated or impeded the growth and the convergence of the economy. The research is based on the sigma-convergence method for estimation of the disparities in terms of real GDP per capita among the six Central and eastern European (CEE) countries with a derogation and among them and the average euro area income per capita. A comparative analysis is applied when analyzing the factors for convergence and their evolution in the period as Bulgaria is compared to the other CEE economies. The results of the research show the presence of a sigma convergence in the observed period. The convergence has been more pronounces in the first ten years. Although Bulgaria demonstrates one of the highest growth rates, this growth has not been sufficient to close the significant income gap between Bulgaria and the EU and euro area averages. While some factors have played positive role in the convergence process, some weaknesses have not been overcome and continue to play negative role and impede the convergence.

Suggested Citation

  • Silvia Kirova, 2020. "The Factors Behind Bulgaria’s (Non) Convergence," European Journal of Economics and Business Studies Articles, Revistia Research and Publishing, vol. 6, ejes_v6_i.
    • Handle: RePEc:eur:ejesjr:272
    DOI: 10.26417/451mzr44h
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://brucol.be/index.php/ejes/article/view/5525
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://brucol.be/files/articles/ejes_v6_i1_20/Kirova.pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.26417/451mzr44h?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Bradley, Michael & Jarrell, Gregg A & Kim, E Han, 1984. "On the Existence of an Optimal Capital Structure: Theory and Evidence," Journal of Finance, American Finance Association, vol. 39(3), pages 857-878, July.
    2. Peter Öhman & Darush Yazdanfar, 2017. "Short- and long-term debt determinants in Swedish SMEs," Review of Accounting and Finance, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 16(1), pages 106-124, February.
    3. Barry Harrison & Theodorus Wisnu Widjaja, 2014. "The Determinants of Capital Structure: Comparison between Before and After Financial Crisis," Economic Issues Journal Articles, Economic Issues, vol. 19(2), pages 55-83, September.
    4. Apostolos Dasilas & Nicolas Papasyriopoulos, 2015. "Corporate governance, credit ratings and the capital structure of Greek SME and large listed firms," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 45(1), pages 215-244, June.
    5. Myers, Stewart C. & Majluf, Nicholas S., 1984. "Corporate financing and investment decisions when firms have information that investors do not have," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 13(2), pages 187-221, June.
    6. Ivashina, Victoria & Scharfstein, David, 2010. "Bank lending during the financial crisis of 2008," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 97(3), pages 319-338, September.
    7. Myers, Stewart C., 1984. "Capital structure puzzle," Working papers 1548-84., Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Sloan School of Management.
    8. Agha Jahanzeb, 2013. "Trade-off theory, pecking order theory and market timing theory: a comprehensive review of capital structure theories," Economics Bulletin, AccessEcon, vol. 33(1), pages 1-6.
    9. Myers, Stewart C, 1984. "The Capital Structure Puzzle," Journal of Finance, American Finance Association, vol. 39(3), pages 575-592, July.
    10. Stewart C. Myers, 1984. "Capital Structure Puzzle," NBER Working Papers 1393, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    11. Stewart C. Myers & Nicholas S. Majluf, 1984. "Corporate Financing and Investment Decisions When Firms Have InformationThat Investors Do Not Have," NBER Working Papers 1396, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    12. Maria Psillaki & Nikolaos Daskalakis, 2009. "Are the determinants of capital structure country or firm specific?," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 33(3), pages 319-333, October.
    13. Jensen, Michael C. & Meckling, William H., 1976. "Theory of the firm: Managerial behavior, agency costs and ownership structure," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 3(4), pages 305-360, October.
    14. Zélia Serrasqueiro & Ana Caetano, 2015. "Trade-Off Theory versus Pecking Order Theory: capital structure decisions in a peripheral region of Portugal," Journal of Business Economics and Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 16(2), pages 445-466, April.
    15. Miller, Edward M, 1977. "Risk, Uncertainty, and Divergence of Opinion," Journal of Finance, American Finance Association, vol. 32(4), pages 1151-1168, September.
    16. Huong Thi Trinh & Makoto Kakinaka & Donghun Kim & Tae Yong Jung, 2017. "Capital Structure and Investment Financing of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises in Vietnam," Global Economic Review, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 46(3), pages 325-349, July.
    17. Zeitun, Rami & Temimi, Akram & Mimouni, Karim, 2017. "Do financial crises alter the dynamics of corporate capital structure? Evidence from GCC countries," The Quarterly Review of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 63(C), pages 21-33.
    18. Natalia Mokhova & Marek Zinecker, 2013. "The determinants of capital structure: the evidence from the European Union," Acta Universitatis Agriculturae et Silviculturae Mendelianae Brunensis, Mendel University Press, vol. 61(7), pages 2533-2546.
    19. Nikolaos Daskalakis & Maria Psillaki, 2007. "Do country or firm factors explain capital structure? Evidence from SMEs in France and Greece," Applied Financial Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 18(2), pages 87-97.
    20. Dimitrios Vasiliou & Nikolaos Eriotis & Nikolaos Daskalakis, 2009. "Testing the pecking order theory: the importance of methodology," Qualitative Research in Financial Markets, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 1(2), pages 85-96, June.
    21. A. Noulas & G. Genimakis, 2011. "The determinants of capital structure choice: evidence from Greek listed companies," Applied Financial Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 21(6), pages 379-387.
    22. Campello, Murillo & Graham, John R. & Harvey, Campbell R., 2010. "The real effects of financial constraints: Evidence from a financial crisis," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 97(3), pages 470-487, September.
    23. Mc Namara, Andrea & Murro, Pierluigi & O'Donohoe, Sheila, 2017. "Countries lending infrastructure and capital structure determination: The case of European SMEs," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 43(C), pages 122-138.
    24. Ciarán mac an Bhaird & Brian Lucey, 2010. "Determinants of capital structure in Irish SMEs," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 35(3), pages 357-375, October.
    25. Nicola Cetorelli & Linda S Goldberg, 2011. "Global Banks and International Shock Transmission: Evidence from the Crisis," IMF Economic Review, Palgrave Macmillan;International Monetary Fund, vol. 59(1), pages 41-76, April.
    26. Pacheco, Luís, 2016. "Capital structure and internationalization: The case of Portuguese industrial SMEs," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 38(C), pages 531-545.
    27. Matteo Rossi & Rosa Lombardi & Fabio Nappo & Raffaele Trequattrini, 2015. "The capital structure choices of agro-food firms: evidence from Italian SMEs," International Journal of Management Practice, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 8(3), pages 172-186.
    28. F. Voulgaris & D. Asteriou & G. Agiomirgianakis, 2004. "Size and Determinants of Capital Structure in the Greek Manufacturing Sector," International Review of Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 18(2), pages 247-262.
    29. Georgios Chatzinas & Simeon Papadopoulos, 2018. "Trade-off vs. pecking order theory: evidence from Greek firms in a period of debt crisis," International Journal of Banking, Accounting and Finance, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 9(2), pages 170-191.
    30. DeAngelo, Harry & Masulis, Ronald W., 1980. "Optimal capital structure under corporate and personal taxation," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 8(1), pages 3-29, March.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Antonio D’Amato, 2020. "Capital structure, debt maturity, and financial crisis: empirical evidence from SMEs," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 55(4), pages 919-941, December.
    2. Iván Arribas & Emili Tortosa-Ausina & TingTing Zhu, 2021. "Optimal capital structure, model uncertainty, and European SMEs," Working Papers 2021/11, Economics Department, Universitat Jaume I, Castellón (Spain).
    3. Alves, Paulo & Francisco, Paulo, 2015. "The impact of institutional environment on the capital structure of firms during recent financial crises," The Quarterly Review of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 57(C), pages 129-146.
    4. Nikolaos Daskalakis & Eleni Tsota, 2023. "Reintroducing Industry Effects in Capital Structure Determination of SMEs," Business & Entrepreneurship Journal, SCIENPRESS Ltd, vol. 12(2), pages 1-4.
    5. 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.
    6. Valcacer, Santiago & José de Moura, Heber & Lopes , David & Amorim , Vinicius, 2017. "Capital structure management differences in Latin American and US firms after 2008 crisis," Journal of Economics, Finance and Administrative Science, Universidad ESAN, vol. 22(42), pages 51-74.
    7. Olivier Butzbach & Domenico Sarno, 2019. "To What Extent Do Regional Effects Influence Firms’ Capital Structure? The Case of Southern Italian SMEs’," IJFS, MDPI, vol. 7(1), pages 1-20, January.
    8. James Agyei & Shaorong Sun & Eugene Abrokwah, 2020. "Trade-Off Theory Versus Pecking Order Theory: Ghanaian Evidence," SAGE Open, , vol. 10(3), pages 21582440209, July.
    9. Jacek Jaworski & Leszek Czerwonka, 2021. "Determinants of Enterprises’ Capital Structure in Energy Industry: Evidence from European Union," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-21, March.
    10. Rana El Bahsh & Ali Alattar & Aziz N. Yusuf, 2018. "Firm, Industry and Country Level Determinants of Capital Structure: Evidence from Jordan," International Journal of Economics and Financial Issues, Econjournals, vol. 8(2), pages 175-190.
    11. Martinez Cillero, Maria & Lawless, Martina & O'Toole, Conor, 2019. "The determinants of SME capital structure across the lifecycle," Papers WP614, Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI).
    12. Geoffroy Enjolras & Gilles Sanfilippo, 2018. "The role of debt in financing French farm investments," Post-Print hal-02048362, HAL.
    13. Oscar Briones & Melisa Chang, 2017. "Capital Structure Determinants Influence: A Comparative Study," Proceedings of International Academic Conferences 5007097, International Institute of Social and Economic Sciences.
    14. Inês Lisboa, 2017. "CAPITAL STRUCTURE OF EXPORTER SMEs DURING THE FINANCIAL CRISIS: EVIDENCE FROM PORTUGAL," Portuguese Journal of Management Studies, ISEG, Universidade de Lisboa, vol. 22(1), pages 25-49.
    15. Aleksandra Stoiljković & Slavica Tomić & Bojan Leković & Milenko Matić, 2022. "Determinants of Capital Structure: Empirical Evidence of Manufacturing Companies in the Republic of Serbia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(1), pages 1-19, December.
    16. María Palacín-Sánchez & Luis Ramírez-Herrera & Filippo di Pietro, 2013. "Capital structure of SMEs in Spanish regions," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 41(2), pages 503-519, August.
    17. Zélia Serrasqueiro & Manuel Armada & Paulo Nunes, 2011. "Pecking Order Theory versus Trade-Off Theory: are service SMEs’ capital structure decisions different?," Service Business, Springer;Pan-Pacific Business Association, vol. 5(4), pages 381-409, December.
    18. Stavros H. Arvanitis & Irakleia S. Tzigkounaki & Theodoros V. Stamatopoulos & Eleftherios I. Thalassinos, 2012. "Dynamic Approach of Capital Structure of European Shipping Companies," International Journal of Business and Economic Sciences Applied Research (IJBESAR), Democritus University of Thrace (DUTH), Kavala Campus, Greece, vol. 5(3), pages 33-63, December.
    19. Van Campenhout, Geert & Van Caneghem, Tom, 2009. "Information Availability, Information Quality and the Financial Structure of Belgian SME's," Working Papers 2009/27, Hogeschool-Universiteit Brussel, Faculteit Economie en Management.
    20. Amit Hedau & Shailender Singh & Huwati Janor, 2018. "Determinants Of Capital Structure – A Sector Specific Approach," Romanian Economic Business Review, Romanian-American University, vol. 13(4), pages 14-30, december.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eur:ejesjr:272. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Revistia Research and Publishing (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://revistia.com/index.php/ejes .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.