A study of the impact of digital inclusive finance on firm value from the perspective of financing constraints

Abstract

ABSTRACT The existing research on the impact of digital inclusive finance on corporate behaviour is relatively extensive, but the research on the impact of digital inclusive finance on corporate value is ignored. To fill in this gap, this study examines the impact of digital inclusive finance on firm value from the perspective of financing constraints, utilizing data on A-share listed companies in China from 2012 to 2019. We found that digital inclusive finance helps increase corporate value. And digital inclusive finance uses digital technology to alleviate financing constraints and improve the credit supply, which in turn increases firm value. Moreover, the impact of digital inclusive finance on firm value demonstrates heterogeneity. Compared with other firms, digital inclusive finance has a greater value-enhancing effect on small-scale and private firms. Our findings suggest that increasing the level of digital inclusive finance in developing countries can help enhance firm value.