Short-term financial constraints and SMEs’ investment decision: evidence from the working capital channel

This paper investigates the real effect of short-term financial constraints on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Under the working capital channel, cash credit constraints force entrepreneurs to forgo investment opportunities in order to finance their working capital needs. Building on survey data, I find that short-term credit constraints are as important as long-term ones in SMEs’ investment decisions. Besides, the detrimental effect of cash credit constraints on corporate investment is stronger for SMEs with higher increase in working capital needs but lower for liquid ones that are able to adjust their accounts receivable and inventories. My results suggest that short-term finance is a major issue for SMEs.