FINANCIAL FACTORS AFFECTING PRODUCTION EFFICIENCY OF SMALL SCALE COFFEE FARMS IN BURUNDI

Purpose: The study sought to evaluate financial factors affecting the production efficiency of small-scale coffee farms in Burundi. Methodology: The research design used during the study was descriptive. The research targeted a population of 300 small-scale coffee farmers. The study had a sample population of 121 smallholder coffee farmers. The study conducted the research for a 6-year period between 2015-2020. The data was collected using a secondary data collection sheet. Secondary data was obtained from Coffee federations' annual reports, cooperatives reports, and coffee farmers’ records. Analysis of the data was done using the Eviews student 11 version. The analyzed data was presented in form of tabulations, mean and standard deviation. Findings: The study findings showed that the correlation analysis showed that the selling prices per kilogram of coffee beans had a negative and significant correlation to the production efficiency by R = 0.98. Production efficiency had a negative and significant correlation to capital availability by R = 0.260. Lastly, production efficiency had a positive and significant correlation to production costs at R = 0.500. The findings of the research obtained that selling prices per kilogram of coffee beans had a not significant negative effect on production efficiency, while capital availability and production costs had a positive effect on the production efficiency. A unique contribution to theory, practice, and policy: The study recommended that government should review the policies relating to the selling prices per kilogram of coffee beans to improve small-scale coffee farmers’ incomes. Government should also facilitate access to credit to small-scale coffee farmers. The study incorporated the Cobweb theory of price fluctuation, the theory of credit rationing also called adverse selection theory, and the high payoff inputs model.

The mediating role of cost of capital in the relationship between capital structure and loan portfolio quality

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to establish the mediating role of cost of capital in the relationship between capital structure and loan portfolio quality in Uganda's microfinance institutions (MFIs).Design/methodology/approachA cross-sectional research design was adopted to collect data and partial least squares structural equation modelling was used to test the study hypotheses.FindingsCost of capital partially mediates the relationship between capital structure and loan portfolio quality. Hence, cost of capital acts as a conduit through which capital structure affects loan portfolio quality.Research limitations/implicationsCost of capital was generalized as financial and administrative costs. The impact of costs like dividend pay-outs, interest rates and/or loan covenants on loan portfolio quality could be investigated individually.Practical implicationsMFIs should be vigilant about loan recovery by using strategies like credit rationing to ensure timely repayments.Originality/valueThe study contributes to the ongoing academic debate by identifying the significant indirect role of cost of capital in explaining loan portfolio quality.

Heterogeneity and state dependence in firms’ access to bank credit

This paper investigates firms’ access to bank credit in eleven euro area countries over the periods 2014–2019. Exploiting firm-level longitudinal data, we analyse loan demand and credit rationing probabilities, accounting for sample selection, unobserved heterogeneity and state dependence. Empirical results show that small and informationally opaque businesses, with deteriorated public support and credit history, face greater difficulties in obtaining bank loans. Furthermore, we provide evidence of a significant degree of state dependence in access to credit. In particular, firms that have already experienced credit restrictions are more likely to face further constraints, while enterprises that applied for bank financing in the past seem to have easier access to credit. Focusing on the subset of firms actually needing additional bank financing, we also find that past credit restrictions significantly reduce their current demand, providing evidence of a significant discouragement effect.

Relationship lending and access to financial services by SMEs in Kenya

Policymakers and scholars acknowledge the significance of small and medium enterprises in stirring the economic growth and development in developing and developed economies. In spite of the generally fast pace by which access to financial services for small and medium enterprises is being established, significant segments of the small and medium enterprises sector do not yet benefit from the expansion. This study, therefore, investigated the effect of relationship lending on access to financial services by small and medium enterprises in Kenya. The study was based on credit rationing theory and information asymmetry theory. The target population comprised 4,253 small and medium enterprises in Kenya. A sample size of 366 SMEs was used by the study. The study adopted a multistage sampling technique to obtain the SME respondents. Primary data was utilized and was acquired through semi-structured questionnaires. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics utilizing Heckman two-stage regression model. The study findings showed that relationship lending had a positive and significant effect on access to financial services among SMEs in Kenya. The study concluded that relationship lending plays a critical role in access to financial services by SMEs in Kenya. The study recommends that SMEs owners should strive to meet the terms and conditions provided by lending institutions in their various financing practices while management of the lending institutions should adopt financing practices favorable to SMEs to increase their access to financial services.