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Ownership structure and access to finance in developing countries

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  • Charilaos Mertzanis

Abstract

Microsurvey data are used to explore the impact of ownership structure and other firm-specific characteristics on firms’ access to finance in 136 developing countries. The analysis uses a consistent and large data set from the World Bank’s Enterprise Surveys (ESs). The results show that ownership structure is a significant predictor of firms’ access to finance but with qualifications. Specifically, private and foreign ownership are more robust predictors of firms financing constraints in developing countries, whilst government ownership and large owners appear significant in accordance with the controlling conditions and mostly in low-income countries. The predictive power and direction of firms’ ownership structure is mitigated by both the specific characteristics of firms and the manner in which country-level factors affect the level of economic and financial activity in a country as well as the individual and social behaviour towards financial contracting.

Suggested Citation

  • Charilaos Mertzanis, 2017. "Ownership structure and access to finance in developing countries," Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 49(32), pages 3195-3213, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:applec:v:49:y:2017:i:32:p:3195-3213
    DOI: 10.1080/00036846.2016.1257106
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Carmen M. Reinhart, 2010. "This Time is Different Chartbook: Country Histories on Debt, Default, and Financial Crises," NBER Working Papers 15815, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
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    1. Ichim Simona-Mihaela & Neagu-Iorga Mihaela, 2025. "Exploring the Role of Financial Literacy in Enhancing Firm Access to Finance: Insights from Romania," Proceedings of the International Conference on Business Excellence, Sciendo, vol. 19(1), pages 2482-2494.
    2. Eduardo da Silva Fernandes & Inês Hexsel Grochau & Carla Schwengber Ten Caten, 2023. "Impact Investing: Determinants of External Financing of Social Enterprises in Brazil," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-21, August.
    3. Kampouris, Ilias & Mertzanis, Charilaos & Samitas, Aristeidis, 2022. "Foreign ownership and the financing constraints of firms operating in a multinational environment," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 83(C).
    4. Francis Osei-Tutu & Laurent Weill, 2024. "Regional favoritism in access to credit," Public Choice, Springer, vol. 200(1), pages 293-321, July.
    5. Lee, Chien-Chiang & Wang, Chih-Wei & Ho, Shan-Ju, 2022. "Financial aid and financial inclusion: Does risk uncertainty matter?," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 71(C).
    6. Jean-Baptiste Marigo & Laurent Weill, 2024. "Once Upon a Loan: How Folk Tales Shape Access to Credit," Working Papers of LaRGE Research Center 2024-06, Laboratoire de Recherche en Gestion et Economie (LaRGE), Université de Strasbourg.
    7. Wenwen Wang & Muqing Sun & Dong Zhou, 2025. "The impact of cross-border e-commerce comprehensive pilot zone on corporate financial constraints in China," Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 12(1), pages 1-14, December.
    8. Misraku Molla Ayalew & Zhang Xianzhi, 2019. "Bank Competition and Access to Finance: Evidence from African Countries," Journal of Industry, Competition and Trade, Springer, vol. 19(1), pages 155-184, March.
    9. Kelvin Mugambi Kinyua & Frederick Kibon Changwony & Kevin Campbell, 2025. "Government procurement contracts, external audit certification, and financing of small- and medium-sized enterprises," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 64(3), pages 1163-1231, March.
    10. Liu, Yu & Peng, Mike W. & Wei, Zuobao & Xu, Jian & Xu, Lixin Colin, 2025. "Surviving and recovering in times of crisis: A resource dependence view of firm ownership," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 199(C).
    11. Liu, Yu & Xu, Jian, 2022. "Residual state ownership, foreign ownership and firms' financing patterns," Emerging Markets Review, Elsevier, vol. 51(PA).

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