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Journal of Corporate Finance Vol. 23 2013

On the strategic use of debt and capacity in rapidly expanding markets

J. Chris Leach1; Nathalie Moyen1; Jing Yang2

1 University of Colorado Boulder · 2 California State University, Fullerton

Abstract

We exploit the 1996 telecommunications deregulation as a quasi-natural experiment to investigate whether incumbents alter debt and capacity tactics when facing new rivals. We find that incumbents increase leverage after deregulation, even when controlling for traditional determinants and market conditions. Consistent with a new post-deregulation benefit, a higher leverage is positively related to market shares. This behavior appears only in telecommunication segments most affected by the deregulation. We find weak evidence for increased use of capacity tactics. Our findings for incumbents facing an influx of rivals in a rapidly expanding market differ from those of earlier studies considering mature markets.

DOI
10.1016/j.jcorpfin.2013.09.006
Volume
23
Pages
332-344
Language
en
Sources
bibtex:phds-export.bib openalex crossref

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