Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0
Author-Name: Kesseven Padachi 
Author-Workplace-Name: School of Business, Management and Finance, University of Technology, Mauritius 
Author-Email: kpadachi@utm.intnet.mu
Author-Name: Carole Howorth 
Author-Workplace-Name: Institute for Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development, Lancaster University Management School, University of Lancaster, United Kingdom
Author-Name: M. S. Narasimhan
Author-Workplace-Name: Indian Institute of Management, Bannerghatta Road, Bangalore, India
Title: Working Capital Financing Preferences: The Case of Mauritian Manufacturing Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs)
Abstract: This paper investigates the approach of small- to medium-sized Mauritian manufacturing firms to working capital finance using a survey-based approach and case studies. Financing has been cited as one of the most common problems faced by SMEs and is often viewed as one of their main barriers to growth. Using parametric and non-parametric techniques, the important variables that affect the demand for financing are examined. Interestingly, it is observed that the sample firms adopted more informal sources of financing and networking to meet their financing requirements. The financing preferences of the firms were predominantly short-term and there was conclusive evidence that they were reluctant to move down the pecking order for fear of losing control of their businesses. The findings confirmed that internal resources, non-bank sources and short-term debt represent the main sources of financing. The research findings provided some new evidence in support of the different approaches to financing working capital. These SMEs used more informal sources such as shareholder loans and bootstrap finance. These results indirectly suggest that firms experience significant information costs that prevent them from gaining access to the traditional sources of financing. The findings of the study will be useful to the financial institutions that fund SMEs and to policy makers. 
Classification-JEL:
Keywords: working capital finance, Mauritian SMEs, financing preferences, pecking order, informal sources 
Pages: 125-157
Volume: 8
Issue: 1
Year: 2012
File-URL: http://web.usm.my/journal/aamjaf/vol 8-1-2012/8-1-6.pdf
File-Format: Application/pdf
Handle: RePEc:usm:journl:aamjaf00801_125-157