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Capital Structure Determinants of Small and Medium Enterprises in Croatia

Author

Listed:
  • Natasa Sarlija

    (J. J. Strossmayer University of Osijek, Croatia)

  • Martina Harc

    (Croatian Academy of Science and Art, Croatia)

Abstract

Most of the research about capital structure is focused towards two theories: trade off theory (TOT) and pecking order theory (POT). The idea is to explore which theory works better in certain conditions and identify the key determinants that affect the capital structure of the company. However, in different countries different determinants with opposite relation to the leverage are found to be significant. Besides, most of the previous researches are oriented on listed companies. The aim of this paper is to analyse the capital structure of small and medium enterprises in Croatia through the analysis of the fundamental determinants of the capital structure. The research was conducted on a data sample of 500 SMEs in Croatia in the period of 2005–2011. On the unbalanced panel data set a linear regression is applied. Influence of determinants on leverage is estimated by a static panel model with random effect and with fixed effect estimation. Four capital structure determinants are analysed: growth, size, profitability and tangible assets. The results of this research support the pecking order theory confirming that SMEs in Croatia are primarily financed frominternally generated funds that affect profitability, growth, tangible assets and enterprise size.

Suggested Citation

  • Natasa Sarlija & Martina Harc, 2016. "Capital Structure Determinants of Small and Medium Enterprises in Croatia," Managing Global Transitions, University of Primorska, Faculty of Management Koper, vol. 14(3 (Fall)), pages 251-266.
    • Handle: RePEc:mgt:youmgt:v:14:y:2016:i:3:p:251-266
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    File URL: http://www.fm-kp.si/zalozba/ISSN/1581-6311/14_251-266.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Zdeněk Toušek & Barbora Malinská & Martin Prokop & David Procházka, . "The Effect of Financial Leverage on Operating Performance: Evidence from the Czech Republic," Prague Economic Papers, Prague University of Economics and Business, vol. 0.
    2. Zdeněk Toušek & Barbora Malinská & Martin Prokop & David Procházka, 2021. "The Effect of Financial Leverage on Operating Performance: Evidence from the Czech Republic," Prague Economic Papers, Prague University of Economics and Business, vol. 2021(4), pages 381-401.
    3. Melesse, Wondemhunegn Ezezew, 2020. "Determinants of debt ratio levels among small-scale manufacturing enterprises in Ethiopia: Do government policies matter?," MPRA Paper 103240, University Library of Munich, Germany.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    capital structure; determinants of capital structure; trade off theory; pecking order theory;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C23 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Models with Panel Data; Spatio-temporal Models
    • C51 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric Modeling - - - Model Construction and Estimation
    • F36 - International Economics - - International Finance - - - Financial Aspects of Economic Integration
    • G32 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Financing Policy; Financial Risk and Risk Management; Capital and Ownership Structure; Value of Firms; Goodwill

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