Skip to main content

Determinants of Capital Structure: The Case of Chinese Technology Firms

  • Conference paper
  • First Online:
Regulation of Finance and Accounting (ACFA 2021, ACFA 2020)

Abstract

This research addresses the effects of firm-specific factors on the formation of capital structure in the case of the Chinese technology sector. Also, it aims to shed light on whether the key drivers of capital structure in China are different from those in western countries. To this aim, we analyzed the annual balanced panel data of 460 companies for the period 2007–2017 by means of the structural equation modeling approach. Empirical findings demonstrated that size, financial cost, liquidity, tangibility, profitability, and nondebt tax shields have a significant impact on the leverage structure of Chinese technology firms. Obtained results provide evidence of partial similarities between western countries and China in the determinants of capital structure. Besides, we detected that both trade-off and pecking order theories partially explain the leverage structure decisions of firms in the Chinese technology sector.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 169.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Acaravci, S. K. (2014). The determinants of capital structure: Evidence from the Turkish manufacturing sector. International Journal of Economics and Financial Issues, 5(1), 158–171.

    Google Scholar 

  • Afza, T., & Hussain, A. (2011). Determinants of capital structure across selected manufacturing sectors of Pakistan. International Journal of Humanities and Social Science, 1(12), 254–262.

    Google Scholar 

  • Alnori, F., & Alqahtani, F. (2019). Capital structure and speed of adjustment in non-financial firms: Does sharia compliance matter? Evidence from Saudi Arabia. Emerging Markets Review, 39, 50–67.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Banga, C., & Gupta, A. (2017). Effect of firm characteristics on capital structure decisions of Indian SMEs. International Journal of Applied Business and Economic Research, 15(10), 281–301.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bartoloni, E. (2013). Capital structure and innovation: Causality and determinants. Empirica, 40(1), 111–151.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Belkhir, M., Maghyereh, A., & Awartani, B. (2016). Institutions and corporate capital structure in the MENA region. Emerging Markets Review, 26, 99–129.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brealey, R. A., Myers, S. C., Allen, F., & Mohanty, P. (2012). Principles of corporate finance. Tata McGraw-Hill Education.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chang, C., Chen, X., & Liao, G. (2014). What are the reliably important determinants of capital structure in China? Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, 30, 87–113.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen, J. J. (2004). Determinants of capital structure of Chinese-listed companies. Journal of Business Research, 57(12), 1341–1351.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • China Statistical Yearbook. (2016). Available via http://www.stats.gov.cn/tjsj/ndsj/2016/indexeh.htm. Accessed 15 Apr 2020.

  • Colombo, M. G., & Grilli, L. (2007). Funding gaps? Access to bank loans by high-tech start-ups. Small Business Economics, 29(1-2), 25–46.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • DeAngelo, H., & Masulis, R. W. (1980). Optimal capital structure under corporate and personal taxation. Journal of Financial Economics, 8(1), 3–29.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Deesomsak, R., Paudyal, K., & Pescetto, G. (2004). The determinants of capital structure: Evidence from the Asia Pacific region. Journal of Multinational Financial Management, 14(4–5), 387–405.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Doukas, J. A., & Pantzalis, C. (2003). Geographic diversification and agency costs of debt of multinational firms. Journal of Corporate Finance, 9(1), 59–92.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Drobetz, W., & Fix, R. (2005). What are the determinants of the capital structure? Evidence from Switzerland. Swiss Journal of Economics and Statistics (SJES), 141(I), 71–113.

    Google Scholar 

  • Drobetz, W., Gounopoulos, D., Merikas, A., & Schröder, H. (2013). Capital structure decisions of globally-listed shipping companies. Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, 52, 49–76.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fattouh, B., Scaramozzino, P., & Harris, L. (2005). Capital structure in South Korea: A quantile regression approach. Journal of Development Economics, 76(1), 231–250.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Garcia-Rodriguez, I., & Jegers, M. (2017). Capital structure of nongovernmental development organizations: First cross-country evidence. Non-profit Management and Leadership, 28(2), 175–194.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gombola, M., Liu, F. Y., & Chou, D. W. (2019). Capital structure dynamics with restricted equity issuance: Evidence from Chinese post-IPO firms. Asia Pacific Management Review, 24(1), 72–85.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Grossman, S. J., & Hart, O. D. (1982). Corporate financial structure and managerial incentives. In The economics of information and uncertainty. University of Chicago Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Guida, R., & Sabato, V. (2017). Relationship lending and firms’ leverage: Empirical evidence in Europe. European Financial Management, 23(4), 807–835.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Guo, L., Smallman, C., & Radford, J. (2013). A critique of corporate governance in China. International Journal of Law and Management, 55(4), 257–272.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Harris, M., & Raviv, A. (1991). The theory of capital structure. The Journal of Finance, 46(1), 297–355.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hu, L. T., & Bentler, P. M. (1999). Cutoff criteria for fit indexes in covariance structure analysis: Conventional criteria versus new alternatives. Structural Equation Modeling: A Multidisciplinary Journal, 6(1), 1–55.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huang, G. (2006). The determinants of capital structure: Evidence from China. China Economic Review, 17(1), 14–36.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ibrahim, S. S. (2017). The impacts of liquidity on profitability in banking sectors of Iraq: A case of Iraqi commercial banks International. Journal of Finance & Banking Studies, 6(1), 113–121.

    Google Scholar 

  • Institute for Security and Development Policy. (2019). Available via https://isdp.eu/content/uploads/2018/06/Made-in-China-Backgrounder.pdf. Accessed 15 Apr 2020.

  • International Monetary Funds. (2018). Available via https://www.imf.org/. Accessed 15 Apr 2020.

  • Jensen, M. C., & Meckling, W. H. (1976). Theory of the firm: Managerial behavior, agency costs and ownership structure. Journal of Financial Economics, 3(4), 305–360.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Joo, B. A., & Hussanie, I. (2017). Selecting the right variable as a proxy for profitability – A propitious beginning for researchers. Journal of Arts, Science & Commerce, 8(4), 80–95.

    Google Scholar 

  • Karadeniz, E., Yilmaz Kandir, S., Balcilar, M., & Beyazit Onal, Y. (2009). Determinants of capital structure: Evidence from Turkish lodging companies. International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, 21(5), 594–609.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Khémiri, W., & Noubbigh, H. (2018). Determinants of capital structure: Evidence from sub-Saharan African firms. The Quarterly Review of Economics and Finance, 70(4), 150–159.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li, L., & Islam, S. Z. (2019). Firm and industry-specific determinants of capital structure: Evidence from the Australian Market International. Review of Economics & Finance, 59, 425–437.

    Google Scholar 

  • Li, Y., & Singal, M. (2019). Capital structure in the hospitality industry: The role of the asset-light and fee-oriented strategy. Tourism Management, 70, 124–133.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lim, T. C. (2012). Determinants of capital structure empirical evidence from financial services listed firms in China. International Journal of Economics and Finance, 4(3), 191–203.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Macnamara, P. (2019). Taxes and financial frictions: Implications for corporate capital structure. Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control, 101, 82–100.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maddala, G. S., & Nimalendran, M. (1996). Errors-in-variables problems in financial models. Handbook of Statistics, 14, 507–528.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Michaelas, N., Chittenden, F., & Poutziouris, P. (1999). Financial policy and capital structure choice in UK SMEs: Empirical evidence from company panel data. Small Business Economics, 12(2), 113–130.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Miller, M., & Modigliani, F. (1958). The cost of capital corporate finance and the theory of investment. American Economic Review, 48, 261–297.

    Google Scholar 

  • Modigliani, F., & Miller, M. H. (1958). The cost of capital, corporation finance and the theory of investment. The American Economic Review, 48(3), 261–297.

    Google Scholar 

  • Molnar, M., & Lu, J. (2019). State-owned firms behind China’s corporate debt (OECD Economic Department Working Papers (1536)) (pp. 1–49). OECD.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moradi, A., & Paulet, E. (2019). The firm-specific determinants of capital structure – An empirical analysis of firms before and during the Euro crisis. Research in International Business and Finance, 47, 150–161.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Myers, S. C., & Majluf, N. S. (1984). Corporate financing and investment decisions when firms have information that investors do not have. Journal of Financial Economics, 13(2), 187–221.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • National Bureau of Statistics of China. (2018). Available via http://www.stats.gov.cn/english/. Accessed 15 Apr 2020.

  • Nunes, P. M., & Serrasqueiro, Z. (2017). Short-term debt and long-term debt determinants in small and medium-sized hospitality firms. Tourism Economics, 23(3), 543–560.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pacheco, L. (2016). Capital structure and internationalization: The case of Portuguese industrial SMEs. Research in International Business and Finance, 38, 531–545.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pinches, G. E., & Mingo, K. A. (1973). A multivariate analysis of industrial bond ratings. The Journal of Finance, 28(1), 1–18.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ramli, N. A., Latan, H., & Solovida, G. T. (2019). Determinants of capital structure and firm financial performance – A PLS-SEM approach: Evidence from Malaysia and Indonesia. The Quarterly Review of Economics and Finance, 71, 148–160.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Salawu, R. O., & Agboola, A. A. (2008). The determinants of capital structure of large non-financial listed firms in Nigeria. The International Journal of Business and Finance Research, 2(2), 75–84.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sardo, F., & Serrasqueiro, Z. (2017). Does dynamic trade-off theory explain Portuguese SME capital structure decisions? Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development, 24(3), 485–502.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sharma, R. K. (2018). Factors affecting financial leveraging for BSE listed real estate development companies in India. Journal of Financial Management of Property and Construction, 23(3), 274–294.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sheikh, A. N., & Wang, Z. (2011). Determinants of capital structure: An empirical study of firms in manufacturing industry of Pakistan. Managerial Finance, 37(2), 117–133.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Titman, S., & Wessels, R. (1988). The determinants of capital structure choice. The Journal of Finance, 43(1), 1–19.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tong, G., & Green, C. J. (2005). Pecking order or trade-off hypothesis? Evidence on the capital structure of Chinese companies. Applied economics, 37(19), 2179–2189.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • UN Comtrade Database. (2019). Available via https://comtrade.un.org/data/. Accessed 15 Apr 2020.

  • Vijayakumaran, S., & Vijayakumaran, R. (2018). The determinants of capital structure decisions: Evidence from Chinese listed companies. Asian Journal of Finance and Accounting, 10(2), 63–81.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vo, X. V. (2017). Determinants of capital structure in emerging markets: Evidence from Vietnam. Research in International Business and Finance, 40, 105–113.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wald, J. K. (1999). How firm characteristics affect capital structure: An international comparison. Journal of Financial Research, 22(2), 161–187.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Waleed, A., Pasha, A. T., & Akhtar, A. (2016). Exploring the impact of liquidity on profitability: Evidence from banking sector of Pakistan. Journal of Internet Banking and Commerce, 21(3), 1–12.

    Google Scholar 

  • World Economic Outlook. (2018). Available via https://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2018/02/ weodata/indexaspx. Accessed 15 Apr 2020.

  • Wright, S. (1931). Evolution in Mendelian populations. Genetics, 16(2), 97–159.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zezhong, X., & Hong, Z. (2008). The Determinants of capital structure and equity financing preference in listed Chinese companies. [J] Economic Research Journal, 6, 119–134.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Korhan K. Gokmenoglu .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2022 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this paper

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this paper

Kaakeh, M., Gokmenoglu, K.K. (2022). Determinants of Capital Structure: The Case of Chinese Technology Firms. In: Procházka, D. (eds) Regulation of Finance and Accounting. ACFA ACFA 2021 2020. Springer Proceedings in Business and Economics. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-99873-8_10

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics