Analysing capital structure of spanish chemical companies using self-organizing maps. Issue 6 (5th June 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Camara-Turull, Xavier; Fernández-Izquierdo, María Ángeles; Sorrosal-Forradellas, M. Teresa
• Is Part Of: Kybernetes. Volume 46:Issue 6(2017)
• Page Start: 947
• Page End: 965
• Publication Date: 2017-06-05
• Subjects: Capital structure -- Financial crisis -- Pecking order theory -- Self-organizing maps; G32 -- G33 -- C45; Cybernetics -- Periodicals; Systems engineering -- Periodicals; 003.505
• DOI: 10.1108/K-05-2016-0112
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0368-492X

Abstract

Abstract : Purpose: This paper aims to analyses the capital structure of the Spanish chemical industry during the period between 1999 and 2013, with a twofold objective. First, to determine whether the assumptions of pecking order theory are fulfilled throughout the study's timeframe. Second, by using data covering the years before the crisis and the worst years thereof, this study shows how the crisis has affected the capital structure of the companies included in this sample. Design/methodology/approach: A particular kind of unsupervised neural network, self-organizing maps, is applied. This methodology allows to cluster firms avoiding the need to establish relationships between the different variables involved in the problem beforehand. Findings: Companies are clustered into groups with different degrees of accomplishment of the pecking order theory. The hypothesis about risk is the one that experience a greater variation in the period before and after the crisis. Moreover, companies' capital structure has been lightly disrupted by the crisis. Originality/value: The originality of this paper lies in applying an unprecedented methodology to the problem of capital structure. Therefore, the capital structure problem can be approached without setting any function relationship previously.