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How Trade Credits Foster International Trade

Author

Listed:
  • Eck, Katharina
  • Engemann, Martina
  • Schnitzer, Monika
Abstract
Internationally active firms rely intensively on trade credits even though they are considered particularly expensive. This phenomenon has been little explored so far. Our theoretical analysis shows that trade credits can alleviate financial constraints arising from asymmetric information because they serve as a quality signal and reduce the uncertainty related to international transactions. We use unique survey data on German enterprises to test the effect of the use of trade credits on firms' exporting and importing behavior, both at the extensive and intensive margins. Our results support the assertion that trade credits have a positive impact on firms' exporting and importing activities.

Suggested Citation

  • Eck, Katharina & Engemann, Martina & Schnitzer, Monika, 2012. "How Trade Credits Foster International Trade," Discussion Paper Series of SFB/TR 15 Governance and the Efficiency of Economic Systems 379, Free University of Berlin, Humboldt University of Berlin, University of Bonn, University of Mannheim, University of Munich.
    • Handle: RePEc:trf:wpaper:379
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    Cited by:

    1. Niepmann, Friederike & Schmidt-Eisenlohr, Tim, 2017. "International trade, risk and the role of banks," Journal of International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 107(C), pages 111-126.
    2. Joachim Wagner, 2016. "Credit Constraints and Exports: A Survey of Empirical Studies Using Firm Level Data," World Scientific Book Chapters, in: Microeconometrics of International Trade, chapter 12, pages 401-421, World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd..
    3. Kemal Turkcan, 2016. "Evolving Patterns of Payment Methods in Turkish Foreign Trade," World Journal of Applied Economics, WERI-World Economic Research Institute, vol. 2(1), pages 3-29, June.
    4. Auboin, Marc & DiCaprio, Alisa, 2016. "Why do trade finance gaps persist: Does it matter for trade and development?," WTO Staff Working Papers ERSD-2017-01, World Trade Organization (WTO), Economic Research and Statistics Division.
    5. Mateut, Simona & Zanchettin, Piercarlo, 2013. "Credit sales and advance payments: Substitutes or complements?," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 118(1), pages 173-176.
    6. Joachim Wagner, 2014. "Credit constraints and exports: evidence for German manufacturing enterprises," Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 46(3), pages 294-302, January.
    7. Anna Watson, 2021. "Trade credit, trade income elasticity and the international transmission of shocks," Eurasian Economic Review, Springer;Eurasia Business and Economics Society, vol. 11(4), pages 687-733, December.
    8. Carroll, Sarah & Neumann, Rebecca, 2022. "The importance of international trade credit for industry investment," Journal of Economics and Business, Elsevier, vol. 122(C).
    9. Auboin, Marc & Engemann, Martina, 2013. "Trade finance in periods of crisis: What have we learned in recent years?," WTO Staff Working Papers ERSD-2013-01, World Trade Organization (WTO), Economic Research and Statistics Division.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    trade credits; international trade; financial constraints; export; import; BEEPS;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F10 - International Economics - - Trade - - - General
    • G30 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - General

    NEP fields

    This paper has been announced in the following NEP Reports:

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