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Impact of Financial Crises on Dynamics of Capital Structure: Evidence from Korean Listed Companies

Author

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  • Tsoy, Lyubov

    (Sogang University)

  • Heshmati, Almas

    (Jönköping University)

Abstract

This study examines the impact of 1997 Asian and 2008 Global financial crises on the capital structure of Korean listed companies. Using a data set covering 1,159 Korean listed non-financial firms from 10 industrial sectors over period 1985-2015, the pattern of firms' capital structure before and after the crises is investigated and the speed of adjustment toward the optimal leverage identified. Different effects of the two crises on both capital structure and its adjustment speed is found. The average debt ratio fell significantly, the distance between optimal and observed debt ratios shrank, while the speed of adjustment increased twofold after the Asian crisis. Unlike the Asian crisis, the Global crisis of 2008 had a positive effect on companies' debt ratio and the speed of their adjustment toward optimal leverage. The empirical analysis revealed that Korean non-financial listed companies on average decreased their debt ratios over the entire study period, with leverage being highest before the Asian crisis and lowest after the Global financial crisis. The results also show that the debt ratio of Korean chaebols is higher than that of non-chaebols. Moreover, the high level of leverage is associated with tangible assets, income variability, size and age of the firm, non-debt tax shield, and uniqueness.

Suggested Citation

  • Tsoy, Lyubov & Heshmati, Almas, 2017. "Impact of Financial Crises on Dynamics of Capital Structure: Evidence from Korean Listed Companies," IZA Discussion Papers 10554, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
  • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp10554
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    Cited by:

    1. Joel , ISABIRYE, 2021. "Impact Of Economic Crises On Firms: A Literature Review," Annals of Spiru Haret University, Economic Series, Universitatea Spiru Haret, vol. 21(3), pages 225-250.
    2. Halil D. Kaya & Engku N Engkuchik, 2022. "A Study Of The Impact Of The 2008-2009 Global Crisis In Eastern Europe And Central Asia: Retailers’ And Core Industry Firms’ Fixed Asset Purchases," Annals - Economy Series, Constantin Brancusi University, Faculty of Economics, vol. 4, pages 173-178, August.
    3. David Haritone Shikumo & Oluoch Oluoch & Joshua Matanda Wepukhulu, 2023. "Financial Structure, Firm Size and Financial Growth of Non-Financial Firms Listed at the Nairobi Securities Exchange," Papers 2303.10910, arXiv.org.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    capital structure; optimal leverage; speed of adjustment; Korean listed companies; financial crises; chaebols;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C33 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Multiple or Simultaneous Equation Models; Multiple Variables - - - Models with Panel Data; Spatio-temporal Models
    • D21 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Firm Behavior: Theory
    • C51 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric Modeling - - - Model Construction and Estimation
    • E22 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Consumption, Saving, Production, Employment, and Investment - - - Investment; Capital; Intangible Capital; Capacity
    • 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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