Lisboa, Inês2017-07-172017-07-172017Lisboa, Inês (2017). "Capital structure of exporter SMEs during the financial crisis : evidence from Portugal". European Journal of Management Studies, 22(1):25-492183-4172http://hdl.handle.net/10400.5/13947This study aims to identify the most important determinants to explain the capital structure of exporter SMEs during the financial crisis. Capital structure is measured using three alternative ratios: total debt, long-term debt, and short-term debt, as the impact of the determinants can depend on debt maturity. Analysing an unbalanced sample of 277 Portuguese exporter SMEs, from 2008 until 2014, and using a panel data methodology, estimating the models with fixed effects for firms, the results suggest that size, profitability, asset structure, non-debt tax shields, growth, liquidity, and age are important determinants for explaining firms’ capital structure. Furthermore, exports intensity and crisis effect do not impact a firm’s indebtedness. Findings are consistent with the hierarchy of funds proposed by the Pecking Order Theory. The Trade-off Theory is also important, as fixed asset can be used as collateral in the case of a firm’s bankruptcy. Additionally, results suggest that exporter SMEs hold more short-term than long-term debt, especially small-sized firms. Finally, companies’ debt ratio presents a constant tendency during the period analysed.engExportersCapital StructureDebtSMEPanel DataFinancial Crisisjournal article