Pecking Order Theory And The Financial Structure Of Manufacturing SMEs From Australia’s Business Longitudinal Survey

Abstract The principal objective in this paper is to ascertain the extent to which Myers’ ( 1984) Pecking Order Theory (POT) of business financing appears to explain financial structure amongst a panel of 871 manufacturing SMEs legally organised as proprietary companies, taken from the Australian federal government’s Business Longitudinal Survey for three financial years from 1995-96 to 1997-98. The research findings reported in the paper provide further substantial empirical evidence broadly suggesting pecking order financing behaviour amongst SMEs. However, the findings also suggest the need for a modified POT that more fully reflects the special circumstances and nuances of SME financing. A full specification for a modified POT of financing for SMEs is proposed as a basis for further inquiry in the area.