Effect of family control on corporate financing decisions of firms: evidence from Pakistan

Abstract

This study examines the effect of family control on corporate financing of the firms in Pakistan over the period 2005 to 2017. Moreover, this study also investigates, whether family control moderates the impact of firm specific factors on corporate financing of the firms. This study is employed the GMM model for panel data estimation. The results of mean difference univariate analysis show that family firms are different from non-family firms based on different financial characteristics. Multivariate analysis results reveal that family control significantly impacts the corporate financing decisions of the firms. In addition, firm size, tangibility, profitability, non-debt tax shield, dividends and liquidity are found to be the important determinants of corporate financing decision of the firms. The moderation analysis reports that family control plays a significant moderating role between the relationship of firm’s characteristics (i.e. size, tangibility and probability) and debt ratios of the firms in Pakistan. These findings reveal useful insights for investors, banks, regulator and business families of the Pakistan.