Exploring the Effects of Firm-Specific Factors on Financing Preferences of Listed SMEs in India

Abstract

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are the driving force for the robust socioeconomic growth of a country. The study primarily aims to empirically evaluate the impact of certain firm-specific factors on the financing preferences of the listed SMEs with specific reference to India. It attempts to examine their financing practices and also investigates if they follow the order explained under various theories of finance. The sample consists of 134 listed SMEs on NSE as well as BSE SME exchange. They have been studied for the period from 2014 to 2019. The sample and the time period of the study differentiates it from the existing studies in the domain. It concludes that though majority of the variables included in the model are statistically significant, there is a possibility of influence of other micro-level variables or macro-level economic factors on the financing decisions of the listed SMEs. It is also revealed that for their financial needs, SMEs prefer short-term spontaneous sources, that is, payables and provisions, then accumulated profits followed by short-term borrowings and in last opt for the long-term debt. The study also found that there is no single theory that can completely explain the financing behavior of the listed SMEs. Moreover, it is also observed that no additional benefit is available for SMEs out of listing in India.