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Journal of Corporate Finance Vol. 79 2023

Firms' access to informal financing: The role of shared managers in trade credit access

Feng Ding1; Qiliang Liu2; Hanzhong Shi1; Wenming Wang3; Shan Wu4

1 Huazhong University of Science and Technology · 2 Jiangxi University of Finance and Economics · 3 Zhejiang University · 4 Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

Abstract

We investigate how shared managers and directors (shared M&Ds) with major suppliers affect a firm's access to trade credit. Using a sample of listed firms in China, we find that shared M&Ds play an important role in helping firms obtain trade credit. This favorable effect is strengthened for firms with higher information asymmetry, located in regions with lower social trust, operating in more innovative and heterogeneous industries, and experiencing greater financial constraints. Our findings support the proposition that shared M&Ds can reduce information asymmetry and build mutual trust between firms and their suppliers. This study contributes to the literature on the benefits of social connections within supply chain relationships and the literature on the economic consequences of interlocked managers and directors.

DOI
10.1016/j.jcorpfin.2023.102388
Volume
79
Pages
102388
Language
en
Sources
bibtex:phds-export.bib openalex crossref

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