Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/308104 
Year of Publication: 
2025
Series/Report no.: 
GLO Discussion Paper No. 1548
Publisher: 
Global Labor Organization (GLO), Essen
Abstract: 
Family-owned firms account for majority of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Arab countries, but evidence on the impact of this ownership type on access to credit in the region is scarce. Yet the issue is key for understanding barriers to the emergence of dynamic private sector and growth acceleration. Utilizing the World Bank Enterprise Surveys, this paper contributes to closing this knowledge gap by examining the links between family ownership and credit constraints of SMEs in Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, and Tunisia. We found that while family-owned firms have a higher need for credit than nonfamily-owned firms, they are more likely to be discouraged from applying for it. Due to this self-selection out of credit markets, they end up more credit constrained even though their credit application rejection rates are below those of nonfamily firms. Stronger firm governance, formal business strategies and good managerial practices can ease access to credit for family-owned SMEs.
Subjects: 
Family-owned SMEs
access to credit
firm governance
Arab countries
JEL: 
D22
G21
G32
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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