Capital Structure and the Financing of Smes: Empirical Evidence From an Irish Survey

29 Pages Posted: 2 Jun 2006 Last revised: 14 Jul 2009

See all articles by Brian M. Lucey

Brian M. Lucey

Trinity Business School, Trinity College Dublin; Jiangxi University of Finance and Economics; Abu Dhabi University - College of Business Administration; Ho Chi Minh City University of Economics and Finance

Ciaran Mac an Bhaird

Dublin City University

Date Written: May 2006

Abstract

This paper presents an empirical description of the capital structures of a sample of 299 Irish small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs hereafter). The sources of finance used by respondents are delineated by internal and external sources and viewed through a life cycle model. Recognising the financial intertwining of owners and their businesses, a description of the means of collateral provided to secure debt financing is also viewed through a life cycle model. The pecking order theory and life cycle model are reviewed to formulate testable hypotheses concerning the use of short term and long term debt, and internal and external equity by respondents. Multivariate regression results indicate relationships between determinants identified in previous studies, namely, age, size, ownership structure, sector and growth opportunities and the use of long term debt, external equity and internal equity. Relationships are also found between age, size, sector and growth opportunities and the means of collateral used to secure debt financing. In seeking to provide a more holistic explanation for observed capital structures, this paper reports SME owners' attitudes towards and perception of sources of finance. Predictions of the pecking order theory seem to explain the financing choices of SMEs, although there are sectoral differences. The underlying justification for this theory in our context is twofold: the respondents' desire for independence and control, and the perceived lack of information asymmetries in debt markets.

Keywords: Capital Structure, SME, Ireland

JEL Classification: G32, O16

Suggested Citation

Lucey, Brian M. and Mac an Bhaird, Ciarán, Capital Structure and the Financing of Smes: Empirical Evidence From an Irish Survey (May 2006). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=905845 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.905845

Brian M. Lucey

Trinity Business School, Trinity College Dublin ( email )

The Sutherland Centre, Level 6, Arts Building
Dublin 2
Ireland
+353 1 608 1552 (Phone)
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Jiangxi University of Finance and Economics ( email )

South Lushan Road
Nanchang, Jiangxi 330013
China

Abu Dhabi University - College of Business Administration ( email )

PO Box 59911
Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi 59911
United Arab Emirates

Ho Chi Minh City University of Economics and Finance ( email )

59C Nguyen Dình Chieu
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Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh 70000
Vietnam

Ciarán Mac an Bhaird (Contact Author)

Dublin City University ( email )

Ireland 9
Dublin 9, leinster 9
Ireland

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