Could more innovation output bring better financial performance?The role of financial constraints

Innovation scholars highlight the economic benefits to firms,while research findings on the relationship between innovation output and economic returns remain mixed.In this study,we develop the profiting from innovation(PFI)framework and address the crucial role of financial constraints in the relationship between innovation output and financial performance.We argue that the liability of newness differentiates firms’financial performance during the commercialization of innovation,leading to a U-shaped relationship between firms’innovation output and financial performance.We further document the moderating impact of individual financial constraints(IFC)and market-based financial constraints(MFC)on this curvilinear relationship.Empirical tests based on the 142,972 firm-year observations of the multi-source dataset of Chinese manufacturing firms from 1999–2009 support our hypotheses.The additional analysis shows that non-state-owned enterprises and small and medium enterprises benefit more from the synergistic effect of reductions of IFC and MFC than state-owned enterprises and large firms.Our study enriches the literature of the PFI framework by uncovering the mechanism between innovation output and economic returns where financial constraints play an essential role.To the best of our knowledge,we are among the first to investigate the processes and mechanisms between innovation output and financial performance,generating novel insights for business practitioners and policymakers.

Financial constraints and investment decisions of listed Indian manufacturing firms

Background:The purpose of the study is to understand the role of cash flow sensitivity to investment as a measure of financial constraints among listed Indian manufacturing firms.It also analyses the role of tangibility in alleviating financial constraints.Further,the role of other financial factors in investment decisions is explored.Methods:The study is conducted using the generalized method of moments(GMM)estimator on dynamic panel data for the period of(2009–2015)on 768 listed manufacturing firms.Results:The analysis finds that cash flow sensitivity is a valid measure of financial constraints in the Indian manufacturing sector.Results according to splitting criteria found that investment decisions of standalone firms are more sensitive to cash flow than group affiliated firms.Further,splitting the firms according to market capitalization and tangible net worth reveals a higher degree of cash flow sensitivity by firms with lower market capitalization and asset tangibility.The results for the effects of tangibility of assets on easing financial constraint were found significant only in the case of firms with low tangible net worth and medium market capitalization.Conclusions:The study confirms cash flow sensitivity to investment as a valid measure of financial constraints.It will confirm pooling of internal funds by financially constrained firms to accept profitable investment opportunities in future.Further,it also reports that asset tangibility eases the financial constraints faced by firms.

Financial Constraints and Multilevel Perspective： The Case of the Italian Manufacturing Enterprises

Following a multi-level perspective （MLP）, a sustainability transition is the consequence of destabilization pressures from the landscape level that are exerted towards the current unsustainable regime contributing thus to the emergence of niche-level eco-innovations （El）. However, the existence of financial barriers to eco-innovative companies may hinder the development and diffusion of EIs at regime level, jeopardising the creation of windows of opportunity that are necessary for niche-level innovations to succeed. In this framework, the present paper investigates to what extent financial constraints are hampering the eco-innovative investments at regime level, by employing an ad hoc designed survey addressed to a sample of Italian manufacturing enterprises. Results reveal the existence of significant financial barriers to eco-innovative companies which are hindering the development and adoption of incremental technological EIs and organizational EIs at regime level, delaying the transition towards a more sustainable regime. Moreover, findings suggest that environmental reputation of companies can positively contribute to reducing asymmetric information in eco-innovative investments, relieving thus the financial constraints faced by eco-innovative enterprises.

Do modified audit opinions have economic consequences? Empirical evidence based on financial constraints

We present a framework and empirical evidence to explain why,on average,11%of listed firms in China received modified audit opinions(MAOs)between 1992 and 2009.We argue that there are two reasons for this phenomenon:strong earnings management incentives lower firms'financial reporting quality and soft budget constraints weaken the information and governance roles of audit opinions.We find that firms'financial constraints eased after receiving MAOs,which suggests that MAOs have limited economic consequences.Further analysis shows that this phenomenon predominantly exists in government-controlled firms and firms that receive MAOs for the first time.We also find that MAOs have not influenced financial constraints after 2006.Finally,we find that MAOs did not affect borrowing cash flows from banks until 2005,suggesting that MAOs did not start affecting bank financing until that year.We also find that firms receive more related-party financing after receiving MAOs.Our results indicate that a limited effect on bank financing and increased related-party financing reduce the effect of MAOs on financial constraints.

Is investment-cashflow sensitivity a good measure of financial constraints?

Since Fazzari et al.(1988),investment-cashflow sensitivity has been one of the most important indicators for testing and measuring the external financial constraints of corporations.This study analyzes the effect of changes in the relative cost of internal and external financing on investment decisions in response to tax changes.China's2004 VAT reform decreased companies' effective tax rates,leading to an increase in operating cashflow.This,in turn,reduced the internal cost of financing and the value of the tax shield and increased the cost of debt financing.This study shows that in the case of the VAT reform,investment-cashflow sensitivity increased significantly,whereas cash holdings-cashflow sensitivity and borrowing-slack sensitivity did not significantly change.We conclude that investment-cashflow sensitivity is not an effective measure of financial constraints under information asymmetry,but cash-cashflow sensitivity and borrowing-slack sensitivity may be useful alternatives.

The Relationship Between Financial Constraints and Cash-Cash Flow Sensitivity of Chinese Listed Companies

With the cash-cash flow sensitivity theory originally proposed by Heitor et al, this paper conducts an empirical study on the relationship between the cash-cash flow sensitivity and the financial constraint of A-share listed companies in China. The results indicate： （1） the financially constrained firms display significantly positive cash- cash flow sensitivities, while financially unconstrained firms show insignificant cash-cash flow sensitivities. （2） The cash-cash flow sensitivity is significantly negatively correlated with firms＇ earning profit ability and repaying debt ability, and the degree of the financial constraint changes in opposite directions with firms＇ earning profit ability and repaying debt ability, thus the cash-cash flow sensitivity and the degree of the financial constraint changes in the same direction.

Resource constraints and firm innovation:When less is more?

This paper explores the relationship between resource constraints and innovation of new firms.Drawing upon the relevant literature,we incorporate resource constraints as the antecedent to the bricolage-innovation link.Compared to prior studies that treated resource constraints as a one-dimensional variable,we operationalize it along two dimensions:knowledge constraints and financial constraints.Our argument posits that knowledge constraints and financial constraints act as catalysts for innovation in new firms,with bricolage serving as a mediating role.To test our hypotheses,we conducted a survey involving 183 entrepreneurs in the United States.The data analysis demonstrates that bricolage fully mediates the relationship between knowledge con‐straints and innovation and partially mediates the relationship between financial constraints and innovation.Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.

Does environmental labeling exacerbate heavily polluting firms’ financial constraints? Evidence from China

The Chinese Ministry of Environmental Protection has enacted an environmental policy that restricts the investment activities of heavily polluting firms by increasing their financial constraints.In this paper,we examine the impact of environmental labeling on firms’financial constraints.We document that the financial constraints of heavily polluting firms increase more than those of other firms after the issuance of environmental labeling.The debt and equity financing channels of heavily polluting firms are restricted,with smaller bank loans and less equity issuance in the future.The effect is stronger in firms that make a smaller contribution to the local government’s gross domestic product,receive greater media coverage,and are located in heavily polluted provinces.The environmental regulation is effective in increasing the environmentally friendly practices and decreasing the performance growth of heavily polluting firms.Our findings not only contribute to the growing literature on the factors influencing financial constraints,identifying the effects of non-monetary factors on financial constraints,but also provide more evidence for the underlying mechanism of efficient environmental policy.Our results also provide practical suggestions for investors and institutions on evaluating firms and for regulatory authorities on further implementing environmental policy.

Trade credit financing for supply chain coordination under financial challenges:a multi‑leader–follower game approach

This study is designed to solve supply chain inefficiencies caused by some members’financial problems,such as capital shortages and financing restrictions in a stochastic environment.To this end,we have established a supply chain finance framework by designing two novel coordinating contracts based on trade credit financing for different problem settings.These contracts are modeled in the form of multi-leader Stackelberg games that address horizontal and vertical competition in a supply chain consisting of multiple suppliers and a financially constrained manufacturer.However,previous studies in the trade credit literature have addressed only simple vertical competition,that is,seller-buyer competition.To solve the proposed models,two algorithms were developed by combining population-based metaheuristics,the Nash-domination concept,and the Nikaido-Isoda function.The results demonstrate that the proposed supply chain finance framework can eliminate supply chain inefficiencies and make a large profit for suppliers,as well as the financially constrained manufacturer.Furthermore,the results of the contracts’analysis showed that if the manufacturer is required to settle its payments to suppliers before the end of the period,the trade credit contract cannot coordinate the supply chain because of a lack of incentive for suppliers.However,if the manufacturer is allowed to extend its payments to the end of the period,the proposed trade credit financing contract can coordinate the supply chain.Finally,the sensitivity analysis results indicate that the worse the financial status of the manufacturer,the more bargaining power suppliers have in determining the contract parameters for more profit.

Assessment of Barriers and Challenges to the Screening and Linkages of Non-Communicable Diseases by Community Health Volunteers in Nyeri County, Kenya

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are a significant global health challenge, contributing to 50% of worldwide morbidity and 63% of mortality. The burden is particularly substantial in low—and middle-income countries (LMICs), where 80% of NCD-related deaths occur. A quasi-experimental study addressed this challenge from May 2022 to March 2023. This study utilized a non-equivalent pre-and post-test design, with 300 participants in the quantitative and 70 in the qualitative. The study employed multistage cluster and random sampling to select ten community units, resulting in 150 community health volunteers (CHVs) in the control unit and 150 in the intervention group. Data collection was facilitated through the KOBO app. Qualitative data analysis involved six homogeneous focus group discussions (FGDs) and ten key informant interviews (KIIs), audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using N-Vivo 12. Despite efforts to implement screening programs and improve linkages to care, significant barriers persist. This article reviews these barriers, drawing on current literature and empirical evidence. Key obstacles identified include limited awareness, inadequate healthcare infrastructure, cultural beliefs, financial constraints, fragmented healthcare systems, and challenges linking individuals to appropriate care services. The article explores strategies to overcome these barriers, emphasizing the importance of collaborative approaches involving stakeholders at various levels. Addressing these challenges aims to strengthen NCD screening and linkages to care, ultimately improving health outcomes for populations globally. Several recommendations emerge from the study’s findings and literature review. Raising awareness about NCDs and preventive measures is crucial and can be achieved through targeted health education campaigns and community outreach programs. Addressing healthcare infrastructure deficiencies, such as inadequate facilities and workforce shortages, is essential to ensure access to quality care. Cultural beliefs and practices also play a significant role in shaping health-seeking behavior. Engaging with local communities and incorporating cultural sensitivity into healthcare delivery can help bridge the gap between traditional beliefs and modern healthcare practices. Financial constraints pose a significant barrier to healthcare services, particularly in LMICs. Innovative financing mechanisms, such as health insurance schemes or subsidies, can help alleviate this burden and improve access to care. Furthermore, the fragmented nature of healthcare systems can hinder effective NCD management. Enhancing coordination and integration between primary care providers, specialists, and community health workers is essential to ensure seamless care delivery and patient follow-up. Finally, strengthening linkages between screening programs and care services is critical for the timely diagnosis and management of NCDs. This requires establishing robust referral systems and ensuring continuity of care for patients throughout their healthcare journey. In conclusion, addressing the multifaceted barriers to NCD screening and care linkage is essential for improving health outcomes globally. By implementing targeted interventions and fostering collaboration among stakeholders, progress can be made towards reducing the burden of NCDs and promoting population health.

Alternative measure of financial development and investment-cash flow sensitivity:evidence from an emerging economy

This study examines the impact of financial development on corporate investment in terms of their influence on financing constraints.This study also tries to find the effect of financial development on the investment-cash flow sensitivity across the size,degree of financial constraints and group affiliation of the firm.This study employs dynamic panel data model or more specifically system generalized method of moments(GMM)estimation technique.The estimation results reveal that cash flow affects the investment decision of the company positively,which implies that Indian firms are financially constrained.Also,we observe that financial development reduces the investment-cash flow sensitivity and the effect of financial development is more prominent for small size and standalone firms.The results are robust across the period and,for both financially constrained and unconstrained firms.This study contributes to the existing literature by analyzing the impact of financial development on the role of cash flow in determining investments undertaken by the Indian firms,which is an unexplored issue from an emerging market perspective.

Financial frictions and the cash flow – external financing sensitivity: evidence from a panel of Pakistani firms

This paper uses a large panel of Pakistani non-financial firms over the period 2000-2013 to examine the role of financial constraints in establishing the relationship between cash flow and external financing.The results reveal that there exists a negative and significant relationship between external financing and cash flow.The finding of the substitutionary relation between internal funds availability and external financing has been viewed as evidence supporting the pecking order theory of capital structure.Yet,we show that this negative relationship is weak in case of financially constrained firms.We also analyze how credit multiplier affects external financing decisions of financially constrained and unconstrained firms.The results show that for financially unconstrained firms,the negative sensitively of external financing increases with asset tangibility.However,for financially constrained firms,the negative sensitivity of external financing to cash flow either decreases or turns positive as the tangibility of assets increases.This finding implies that financially constrained firms benefit more from investing in tangible assets because such assets not only help relax financial constraints but also having a potential to be a direct source of funds in periods of negative cash flow shocks.

To What Extent Does Corporate Investment Benefit from the Firm's Financial Activities?

The impressive development of China's economy over the past few decades has enabled non-financial firms to adopt financial investment in exchange for enhanced financing behavior and short-term profit(shareholder value)maximization,while the persistence of fixed investment leading to dramatic capital accumulation has spurred the nation's rapid economic growth.The existing literature has extensive discussions on the crowd-out effect of financial activities on non-financial firms'fixed investment but overlooks to what extent and under what forces financial activities potentially benefit real investment.This paper investigates whether profits from financial activities have an inverted U-shape relationship with firms'fixed investment.In particular,we aim to identify if the benefit of financial profit on fixed investment is through the financial constraint channel and/or ownership structure channel for Chinese-listed firms from 2003 to 2018.We present robust evidence to support the inverted U-shape relationship between financial profit and fixed investment for the whole sample of firms as well as the split samples of firms(SOEs and non-SOEs).Moreover,among all channels including cash flow,debt financing,managerial shareholding,ownership concentration,and state ownership,this research documents that financial profit mainly benefits firms by reducing debt burden.Firms with concentrated ownership and strong state shareholding are also more likely to crowd-out real investment or potentially alleviate overinvestment.Nevertheless,non-SOEs are more prone to benefit from financial profits by reducing the debt overhang problem than SOEs,whereas ownership concentration for SOEs non-increments the crowd-out effect.

Tax credit rating and corporate innovation decisions

The tax credit rating mechanism was formally implemented in 2014.As an important tax collection and management innovation,it has attracted the attention of regulatory authorities and scholars.Different from the literature that directly examines corporate tax compliance,we focus on the impact of tax credit rating implementation on corporate research and development(R&D)investment decisions.Using listed companies’data from 2014 to 2019,we find that companies with higher tax credit ratings invest more in innovation,because the system helps managers identify R&D opportunities,alleviates corporate financing constraints and reduces agency costs.We confirm that tax credit ratings have manifold impacts on corporate information environments and business decisions,with better ratings positively affecting firms’business decisions.This discovery can inform tax policy reform,encourage corporate innovation and construct social credit systems.

Do common owners influence corporate social responsibility? Firm-level evidence from China

Using a sample of Chinese A-share listed companies from 2007 to 2018,this article explores the influence of common owners on corporate social responsibility(CSR).The results show that common owners significantly promote CSR investment,indicating that increased CSR represents a bright side to common owners,in contrast to their anticompetitive effect.Further analysis shows that the nature of state ownership significantly weakens the positive relationship between common owners and CSR investment.Prospector firms strengthen the positive influence of common owners on CSR investment,whereas defender firms weaken the effect.Moreover,common owners benefit from increasing CSR investment,and co-owned firms benefit by easing their financial constraints when they invest or increase their investment in social responsibility.The findings enhance the outstanding of how common owners affect corporate behavior and enrich the literature on common ownership and CSR investment.

The Impact of Accounting Information Quality on Corporate Labor Investment Efficiency:Evidence from China

As an important part of the enterprise information system,accounting information plays a significant role in enterprise management decision-making,This study investigates the impact of accounting information quality on corporate labor investment efficiency.Using a sample of Chinese listed firms,we show that higher accounting information quality is associated with higher labor investment efficiency(i.e.,a lower deviation of labor investment from the expected employment level justified by economic fundamentals).Firms with higher accounting information quality reduce underinvestment and overinvestment in labor by alleviating financial constraints and agency conflicts.Cross-sectional tests indicate that this effect is more pronounced among non-state-owned enterprises and firms with higher labor adjustment costs.The robustness test shows that our results are robust to alternative proxies,endogeneity concerns,and controls for non-labor investments.This study sheds light on how enterprise information systems influence management decision-making practices from the perspective of accounting information quality.

OPTIMAL OPERATIONAL DECISIONS WHEN A MANUFACTURER OFFERS TRADE CREDIT TO HIS RETAILER

In this paper, we develop models to determine operational and financial decisions of a supply chain under the condition that the retailer faces a financial constraint and the manufacturer can offer trade credit to assist the retailer. We first study the case where the retailer is risk-neutral, and derive the optimal ordering and financial decisions. Then, the case where the retailer is risk-averse （downside risk） is studied and-the effects of the risk on the retailer and manufacturer＇s operational and financial decisions are discussed. Finally, numerical examples are provided to conduct managerial analysis.

Stock market restrictions and corporate social responsibility: Evidence from IPO suspension in China

Improving corporate social responsibility(CSR)requires not only the efforts of firms themselves but also the support of the appropriate institutional environment.This paper assesses whether access to the stock market can promote firms’CSR.Using China’s suspension of IPOs in 2012-2014,we find that firms affected by the suspension show lower CSR in their listing year.The later listing after the suspension ends,the greater reduction in CSR.Moreover,the effect of the IPO suspension is more serious for firms with financial constraints than for non-financially constrained firms.Furthermore,we show that the IPO suspension has an adverse impact on firms’liquidity and profitability.When this suspension ends,firms’CSR activities recover within 1-2 years.Overall,our conclusion enriches the literature on the factors influencing CSR and provides firm-level evidence of the adverse impact of an IPO suspension.

Bank Credit, Firm Entry and Exit, and Economic Fluctuations in China

This study explores how a worsening bank credit quality affects firms＇ entry and exit decisions （i.e., changes in the extensive margin）, and how the extensive margin variation amplifies the transmission of financial and technological shocks to the real economy. Using a vector autoregression （VAR） model, our empirical evidence indicates that deteriorating Chinese bank credit conditions have a significant negative influence on net firm entry to the market. To explore the potential mechanism behind the stylized fact, we establish a dynamic stochastic general equilibrium （DSGE） model featuring fixed production costs, loss-related bank credit quality shocks and an endogenous balance sheet constraint which restricts the aggregate credit supply by the level of the banks＇ net worth. Model simulations indicate that the interaction of financial constraints and the extensive margin variation amplifies the impact of bank credit shocks on the real economy. When banks experience loss-related financial shocks, bank credit tightens, which increases firms＇ external financing costs. When the firms＇ expected income is not sufficient to cover the fixed production cost, some firms exit from or stop entering the market. As a result, the economy displays a severe recession and a slow recovery.