Trade Credit Terms: Asymmetric Information and Price Discrimination Evidence From Three Continents |
| |
Authors: | Richard Pike† Nam Sang Cheng Karen Cravens Dawne Lamminmaki |
| |
Institution: | Richard Pike†,Nam Sang Cheng,Karen Cravens, Dawne Lamminmaki* |
| |
Abstract: | Abstract: Trade credit terms offer firms contractual solutions to informational asymmetries between buyers and sellers. The credit period permits buyers to reduce uncertainty concerning product quality prior to payment, while the seller can reduce uncertainty concerning buyer payment intentions by prescribing payment before/on delivery or through two‐part payment terms and other mechanisms. Variation in trade credit terms also offers firms price discriminating opportunities. This study, drawing on the responses of 700 large firms in the US, UK and Australia, explores trade credit terms through the twin objectives of reducing information asymmetries and discriminatory pricing. Support is found for both theories. |
| |
Keywords: | trade credit information asymmetry price discrimination two‐part terms (prompt payment discount) cross‐national comparison |
|
|