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How Trade Credits Foster International Trade

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  • Schnitzer, Monika
  • Eck, Katharina
  • Engemann, Martina

Abstract

Internationally active firms rely intensively on trade credits even though they are considered particularly expensive. This phenomenon has been little explored so far. Our theoretical analysis shows that trade credits can alleviate financial constraints arising from asymmetric information because they serve as a quality signal and reduce the uncertainty related to international transactions. We use unique survey data on German enterprises to test the effect of the use of trade credits on firms' exporting and importing behavior, both at the extensive and intensive margins. Our results support the assertion that trade credits have a positive impact on firms' exporting and importing activities.

Suggested Citation

  • Schnitzer, Monika & Eck, Katharina & Engemann, Martina, 2012. "How Trade Credits Foster International Trade," CEPR Discussion Papers 8954, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    • Handle: RePEc:cpr:ceprdp:8954
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    Cited by:

    1. Joachim Wagner, 2014. "Credit constraints and exports: evidence for German manufacturing enterprises," Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 46(3), pages 294-302, January.
    2. Niepmann, Friederike & Schmidt-Eisenlohr, Tim, 2017. "International trade, risk and the role of banks," Journal of International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 107(C), pages 111-126.
    3. Auboin, Marc & Engemann, Martina, 2013. "Trade finance in periods of crisis: What have we learned in recent years?," WTO Staff Working Papers ERSD-2013-01, World Trade Organization (WTO), Economic Research and Statistics Division.
    4. Kemal Turkcan, 2016. "Evolving Patterns of Payment Methods in Turkish Foreign Trade," World Journal of Applied Economics, WERI-World Economic Research Institute, vol. 2(1), pages 3-29, June.
    5. Mateut, Simona & Zanchettin, Piercarlo, 2013. "Credit sales and advance payments: Substitutes or complements?," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 118(1), pages 173-176.
    6. Anna Watson, 2021. "Trade credit, trade income elasticity and the international transmission of shocks," Eurasian Economic Review, Springer;Eurasia Business and Economics Society, vol. 11(4), pages 687-733, December.
    7. Auboin, Marc & DiCaprio, Alisa, 2016. "Why do trade finance gaps persist: Does it matter for trade and development?," WTO Staff Working Papers ERSD-2017-01, World Trade Organization (WTO), Economic Research and Statistics Division.
    8. Joachim Wagner, 2016. "Credit Constraints and Exports: A Survey of Empirical Studies Using Firm Level Data," World Scientific Book Chapters, in: Microeconometrics of International Trade, chapter 12, pages 401-421, World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd..
    9. Carroll, Sarah & Neumann, Rebecca, 2022. "The importance of international trade credit for industry investment," Journal of Economics and Business, Elsevier, vol. 122(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Beeps; Export; Financial constraints; Import; International trade; Trade credits;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F10 - International Economics - - Trade - - - General
    • G30 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - General

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