The Evaluation of the Factors Influence the Access to Debt Financing by Tanzanian SMEs

Abstract

The primary objective of this study was to test the determinants of factor(s) impacts access to debt financing by Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs). The research evaluates the extent on how the firm and the owner-manager factors impact upon the firms’ access to debt financing were evaluated. This study was conducted in 2012, based on a survey of 164 Tanzanian firms. The appropriateness and the support of the determinant factors impact SMEs’ access to external debt financing were empirically analyzed. The research design was quantitative in nature involving testing various hypotheses and theories about the associations between perceived constructs. Study results were then compared with factual indicator data subjected to multiple regression and correlation analysis. The results of the regression analysis comply with other researches conducted in previous studies in relation to factors impact access to debt financing. These empirical findings provide among the factors influence access of debt financing by SMEs in Tanzania include: firms management’s education, experiences of industry and business operations; furthermore, firm’s location, industry, size, age, incorporation, and availability of collateral and business information are noticeable factors that impact firm’s access to debt financing. The significances of the factors and their impacts have been addressed and reported in the study. Recommendations are made for owner-managers acquiring better management skills and qualifications to improve their managerial capabilities, experience and also, to adjust with financial institutions’ requirements for them to access debt finances effortlessly. For government, implementation of appropriate strategic planning, education, training and government support to the SME sector.

Keywords: Debt financing, Firm characteristics, Owner-manager characteristic,; Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), Tanzania