Investigating when religious culture increases trade credit: A signaling theory approach. Issue 4 (21st July 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Li, Yaoqin; Zhu, Danfeng
• Is Part Of: Business ethics, the environment & responsibility. Volume 30:Issue 4(2021)
• Page Start: 738
• Page End: 757
• Publication Date: 2021-07-21
• Subjects: Business ethics -- Periodicals; Social responsibility of business -- Periodicals; Business enterprises -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; 174.4; 174.4
• DOI: 10.1111/beer.12365
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2694-6416

Abstract

Abstract: Drawing on signaling theory, we propose that religious culture leads suppliers to alter their beliefs about their customers' trustworthiness. Strong religious cultures are interpreted as a signal of fewer agency problems and less information asymmetry, which helps firms gain more trade credit from suppliers. The empirical tests performed in this study show that firms headquartered in areas with strong religious cultures receive more trade credit than other firms. This positive relation is more prominent when such firms are located in areas with lower levels of social trust. A further analysis reveals that the increasing effect of religious culture on trade credit eases financing constraints. Overall, our findings indicate that religious culture can be a broad indicator of firms' ethical preferences that influences their access to trade credit by signaling their potential for a high level of trustworthiness.