Abstract
Using a large sample of listed firms from 72 countries over the period 1990–2019, we document a markeddecrease in trade credit that is more pronounced for firms in developed economies relative to those inemerging economies. We find little evidence that firm characteristics drive this trend, as their relationwith trade credit remains relatively stable throughout the sample period. We test several competingpropositions and find that the listing decade, institutional factors, and financial development explainthe downward trajectory in trade credit. We also report diminishing returns to trade credit that arehigher in the US and other developed economies than in emerging economies. These results are robustto alternative definitions of trade credit and to controlling for several firm-specific and macroeconomicfactors.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 857-912 |
Number of pages | 56 |
Journal | Review of Quantitative Finance and Accounting |
Volume | 59 |
Issue number | 3 |
Early online date | 11 May 2022 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Oct 2022 |
Keywords
- Trade credit
- Time series
- Emerging economies
- Firm age
- Employment
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Accounting
- Business, Management and Accounting(all)
- Finance