scholarly journals Factors behind trade credit financing of SMEs in Croatia

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-76
Author(s):  
Sandra Pepur ◽  
Dujam Kovač ◽  
Marijana Ćurak

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) contribute to the national economy in terms of employment, added value, knowledge generation, and innovation. However, their potential and in the case of economic downturns even their survival is affected by the difficulties in their access to external financing under acceptable terms and adequate timing and amount. In the case of asymmetric information problems, which make SMEs more sensitive to financial market imperfections, trade credit can be a valuable source of financing. In the European Union, trade credit is among the most relevant external funding sources and it is among the most important alternatives to financial intermediaries’ financing. However, there are substantial differences between the countries with respect to availability and use of trade credit. Therefore, this research examines determining (company-specific and country-specific) factors behind the use of trade credit as a financing source in Croatia. The empirical analysis is based on the data for 1,225 SMEs operating in Croatia in the period from 2008 to 2017 and is done using the panel data methodology. The findings confirm that firms’ characteristics, as well as the characteristics of financial, macroeconomic and legal environment in which the firms operate, influence the use of trade credit in SMEs in Croatia. The paper contributes to relatively scarce empirical evidence on the determinants of trade credit use by SMEs in South-East European countries.

2015 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 25-31
Author(s):  
Xénia Szanyi-Gyenes ◽  
György Mudri ◽  
Mária Bakosné Böröcz

The role of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) is unquestionable in the European economies, while financial opportunities are still inadequate for them. The more than 20 million SMEs play a significant role in European economic growth, innovation and job creation. According to the latest EC Annual Report , SMEs are accounting for 99% of all non-financial enterprises, employing 88.8 million people and generating almost EUR 3.7 tn in added value for our economy. Despite the fact that there is plenty of EU funding available for these SMEs, for certain reasons these funds hardly reach them. But we have to see that the EU supports SMEs by various way, e.g. by grants, regulatory changes, financial instrument, direct funds. On the other hand, SMEs and decision makers realised that the environmental sustainability has to be attached to the economic growth, therefore more and more tools are available for these enterprises. Over the last few years, public institutions, the market, the financial community and non-governmental associations have explicitly demanded that firms improve their environmental performance. One of the greatest opportunities might lay in the Climate- and Energy Strategy till 2030 as 20% of the EU budget is allocated to climate-related actions, however the easy access to finance is still a key question. Does the EU recognise the actual difficulties? Is there a systemic reason behind the absorption problems? Is the EU creating a more businessfriendly environment for SMEs, facilitating access to finance, stimulates the green and sustainable growth and improving access to new markets? The paper analyses the current European situation of the SMEs and the effectiveness of some new tools, which are specially targeting SMEs. JEL classification: Q18


2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 277-289 ◽  
Author(s):  
Přemysl Písař

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are a powerful economic force, significant employers, and creators of added value. In the European Union SMEs are the backbone of its economic and innovative potential, and for this reason, economic development and stability of SMEs are critical. The goal of this study is to apply modern controlling to the management of SME value growth using the tools and indicators of financial analysis. This study is based on a detailed analysis of 359 companies from the European Union in order to test 4 hypotheses. The data obtained were subjected to statistical analysis to identify the dependence between the controlling management of a company, tools of financial analysis, innovative potential, level of digitization, internal auditing, and HR communication tools used in the SME. The statistical analysis confirmed a close relationship between the studied variables and created a model for managing the company’s value growth for the study sample of SMEs. Subsequent experimental testing was used to confirm these conclusions, and other important associations were found that are important for successful management of SMEs value growth. The findings obtained are applicable in practice and can be used for a deeper analysis of the issues in question.


2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (6) ◽  
pp. 886-901
Author(s):  
Lars Hendrik Achterberg ◽  
Maktoba Omar ◽  
Ambisisis Ambituuni ◽  
Oliver Roll

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyse the external antecedents of pricing information acquisition in an integrative manner. The study develops understanding of determinants of information acquisition as a crucial prerequisite of successful pricing strategies within German small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Design/methodology/approach A large scale survey of sampled 2,542 SMEs was conducted. A total of 220 questionnaires were completed, reflecting a response rate of 9 per cent. This was acceptable considering the sensitivity of pricing issues. A final sample of 173 usable questionnaires were obtained. Findings The result indicates that external antecedents of pricing information acquisition practices have a positive impact on SME pricing performance, and pricing performance is positively related to firm performance. Practical implications The study indicates that external antecedents of pricing information acquisition are strategic pricing capabilities, which should receive attention by SME managers. Originality/value This study bridges significant obstacle to knowledge generation and theory development of the important issues of pricing information acquisition in SMEs.


2020 ◽  
pp. 295-308
Author(s):  
Janis Sarra

Chapter 9 explores why management of climate-related risks can be particularly challenging for micro, small, and medium enterprises (‘MSME’) to address. MSME comprise about 99 per cent of all businesses globally and they often lack the infrastructure and resources to manage deep shifts in their business activities. This chapter explores how one could build financing and infrastructure to support the MSME sector to advance in their transition to net zero. It discusses how the European Union has taken the lead globally on microfinance for vulnerable groups that want to set up or develop their businesses and microenterprises. It is building the institutional capacity of microcredit providers and supporting development of social enterprises by facilitating access to finance. It also examines climate governance for MSME, offering examples of toolkits being developed for micro and small businesses. The chapter concludes with a discussion of contributions that women entrepreneurs and micro-business owners are making in the transition to net zero.


2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 843 ◽  
Author(s):  
Langzi Chen ◽  
Zhihong Chen ◽  
Jian Li

Due to the long-term nature and information asymmetry, SMEs (Small and Medium Enterprises) experience serious financial constraints that affect their R&D investments. This article examines the effect of trade credit maintaining sustainable R&D investment of SMEs under financial constraints. Using the panel data of Chinese SMEs from 2002–2014, it was found that although the R&D investments of SMEs are restricted by financial constraints, trade credit can maintain the sustainability of enterprises’ R&D investment. Private enterprises are more reliant on trade credit, which can be intensified during periods of monetary tightening. Considering the counterfactual framework and the endogenous problems, the empirical results were also robust when using propensity score matching. To summarize, this article develops a new explanation for maintaining sustainable R&D investment of SMEs under financial constraints in developing countries.


2021 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 580-608

The importance of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) for the economy of our country is constantly growing. In 2018, they made up 99.8% of the enterprises in the country. They employ 75.7% of all employees in the economy and they provide 65.3% of the country‘s added value. The innovation activity of SMEs largely determines the overall innovative performance of our country, and therefore the pace of its development. It is increasingly realized that the stimulation of innovation in SMEs is an important mechanism for achieving competitiveness and economic success not only of individual enterprises but also of our country as a whole. Given this, the first purpose of this study is to perform a comparative analysis of the innovation activity of Bulgarian SMEs compared to the other EU countries and to determine the main areas of achievement and lag. The comparative analysis was performed on the basis of data from official national, European and world sources, as well as from published research results on this issue. The second purpose is to present the results of an empirical study of the innovation activity of a sample of Bulgarian SMEs, conducted by the authors. The survey covers 100 micro, small and medium-sized enterprises from different sectors of the processing industry and its purpose is to check, supplement and clarify secondary information studied for the first stage.


Author(s):  
Lyudmila M. Simonova ◽  
Anastasiia O. Dorokhova

This article aims to study the role of government instruments supporting export-oriented enterprises, which specialize in the production of non-resource and non-energy goods and services. In view of the increasing importance and potential of small and medium-sized enterprises, the authors, using economic analysis of the data of the Russian Federal Customs Service and the statistics of the Russian Export Center, have confirmed the need of such enterprises being the central element of the national system of support and development of exports. The results prove that the majority of export-oriented small and medium enterprises show interest in starting export activities, increasing its share, and seeking to expand the geography of their supplies. However, a number of factors prevent the foreign economic strategy, including lack of confidence and employees with export competencies, financial limitations, as well as complete inexperience when interacting with foreign counterparts and markets in general. The authors have determined that the insufficient level of competitiveness on part of the Russian producers requires a full-fledged support of the state authorities to stimulate non-resource and non-energy export. The statistical analysis of the recent years shows that the indicator of Russian competitiveness on foreign markets has not undergone serious changes due to the low competitiveness of the Russian exported goods, as well as insufficient knowledge and skills of export-oriented enterprises in terms of strengthening their position on new markets. The world experience shows that each nation puts their own priorities on the choice of export development direction. Based on a comparative analysis and classification of support measures in the European Union, the authors have identified the possibility of approximating the existing mechanisms for supporting small and medium export-oriented enterprises in the Russia. The results have revealed a linear relationship between the launch of programs to support export-oriented enterprises and the growth of foreign economic activity in general, as well as the relationship between such activities as the interaction with relevant ministries and agencies, the cooperation with key industry and business organizations, and the improvement of export conditions in Russia.


Al-Muzara ah ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 109-127
Author(s):  
Hana Khairunnisa ◽  
Deni Lubis ◽  
Qoriatul Hasanah

Halal certification is one of the company’s strategy that aims to retain their consumers and become a difference with competitors and to give added value for product. Most of the researchers have proved that halal certificates affect big companies’ total revenue. However, there are not many studies that have proved that halal certificate would affect the total revenue of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), especially in Bogor City. This research aims to determine the characteristics of MSMEs’ owners and their business, analyze the changes of MSME’s total revenue before and after owning a halal certificate, and the factors that affect MSMEs’ total revenue after owning a halal certificate. The questionnaire data were collected through an interview with 40 food and beverage MSMEs’ owners who have halal certificates in Bogor City. This research uses descriptive analysis, paired sample t-test, and multiple linear regression analysis as the analysis methods. Results based on this research showed that there was a difference in the total revenue of MSMEs before and after owning a halal certificate. The factors that have positive and significant effects of MSMEs’ total revenue influences are capital, work hours, length of business, and a dummy of promotion.


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