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Abstract
This qualitative study delves into the intricate dynamics of capital structure, firm value, and dividend policies within corporate finance. The research explores the factors influencing financial decision-making processes and their implications for firm performance and shareholder wealth maximization. Adopting a systematic literature review approach, the study synthesizes existing theoretical frameworks, empirical evidence, and alternative perspectives to analyze the chosen topic comprehensively. The research methodology involves data collection through academic databases, scholarly sources, and thematic analysis to identify recurring themes and patterns in the literature. The findings highlight the multifaceted nature of financial decision-making, challenging traditional theories such as the irrelevance theory and emphasizing the significance of alternative perspectives such as the pecking order theory, signaling hypothesis, and clientele effect. Moreover, empirical evidence suggests nonlinear relationships between capital structure, firm value, and dividend policies, indicating the influence of contextual factors such as industry dynamics, regulatory environments, and market conditions. The implications drawn from this study extend to both academia and practical applications, emphasizing the need for a nuanced understanding of corporate finance dynamics to inform theory, practice, and policy in the field. By embracing interdisciplinary perspectives, methodological pluralism, and a forward-looking orientation, researchers and practitioners can contribute to the evolution of corporate finance theory and practice, ultimately driving innovation, efficiency, and sustainability in the corporate sector.
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References
- Bhatt, A. (2016). The Effect of Capital Structure on Stock Returns: Empirical Evidence from India. International Journal of Research in Finance and Marketing, 6(6), 74–86. https://doi.org/10.2307/29788868
- Brealey, R. A., Myers, S. C., & Allen, F. (2017). Principles of Corporate Finance. McGraw-Hill Education.
- DeAngelo, H., DeAngelo, L., & Skinner, D. J. (2006). Reconciling dividends and capital gains tax policy. Journal of Financial Economics, 81(2), 367-384. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfineco.2005.07.007
- Fama, E. F., & French, K. R. (2001). Disappearing dividends: changing firm characteristics or lower propensity to pay? Journal of Financial Economics, 60(1), 3–43. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0304-405X(01)00038-1
- Fasua, O. O. (2023). Determinants of Capital Structure and Stock Performance in Nigeria: A Panel Data Analysis. International Journal of Finance & Managerial Accounting, 8(1), 72–92. https://doi.org/10.2307/40749818
- Frank, M. Z., & Goyal, V. K. (2009). Capital structure decisions: Which factors are reliably important? Financial Management, 38(1), 1-37. https://doi.org/10.2307/40279326
- Graham, J. R., & Harvey, C. R. (2001). The theory and practice of corporate finance: Evidence from the field. Journal of Financial Economics, 60(2-3), 187–243. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0304-405X(01)00044-7
- Jensen, M. C., & Meckling, W. H. (1976). Theory of the firm: Managerial behavior, agency costs, and ownership structure. Journal of Financial Economics, 3(4), 305-360. https://doi.org/10.1016/0304-405X(76)90026-X
- Leland, H. E. (1994). Corporate debt value, bond covenants, and optimal capital structure. Journal of Finance, 49(4), 1213-1252. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-6261.1994.tb04771.x
- Miller, M. H., & Modigliani, F. (1961). Dividend policy, growth, and the valuation of shares. Journal of Business, 34(4), 411-433. https://doi.org/10.1086/294442
- Modigliani, F., & Miller, M. H. (1958). The cost of capital, corporation finance, and the theory of investment. The American Economic Review, 48(3), 261-297. https://doi.org/10.2307/1809766
- Rajan, R. G., & Zingales, L. (1995). What do we know about capital structure? Some evidence from international data. Journal of Finance, 50(5), 1421–1460. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-6261.1995.tb05184.x
- Ross, S. A. (1977). The determination of financial structure: the incentive-signalling approach. Bell Journal of Economics, 8(1), 23–40. https://doi.org/10.2307/3003485
- Titman, S., & Wessels, R. (1988). The determinants of capital structure choice. Journal of Finance, 43(1), 1-19. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-6261.1988.tb02585.x
- Zhang, H. (2005). Corporate governance and dividend policy: A test using antitakeover legislation. Journal of Financial and Quantitative Analysis, 40(2), 419–439. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0022109000002248
References
Bhatt, A. (2016). The Effect of Capital Structure on Stock Returns: Empirical Evidence from India. International Journal of Research in Finance and Marketing, 6(6), 74–86. https://doi.org/10.2307/29788868
Brealey, R. A., Myers, S. C., & Allen, F. (2017). Principles of Corporate Finance. McGraw-Hill Education.
DeAngelo, H., DeAngelo, L., & Skinner, D. J. (2006). Reconciling dividends and capital gains tax policy. Journal of Financial Economics, 81(2), 367-384. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfineco.2005.07.007
Fama, E. F., & French, K. R. (2001). Disappearing dividends: changing firm characteristics or lower propensity to pay? Journal of Financial Economics, 60(1), 3–43. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0304-405X(01)00038-1
Fasua, O. O. (2023). Determinants of Capital Structure and Stock Performance in Nigeria: A Panel Data Analysis. International Journal of Finance & Managerial Accounting, 8(1), 72–92. https://doi.org/10.2307/40749818
Frank, M. Z., & Goyal, V. K. (2009). Capital structure decisions: Which factors are reliably important? Financial Management, 38(1), 1-37. https://doi.org/10.2307/40279326
Graham, J. R., & Harvey, C. R. (2001). The theory and practice of corporate finance: Evidence from the field. Journal of Financial Economics, 60(2-3), 187–243. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0304-405X(01)00044-7
Jensen, M. C., & Meckling, W. H. (1976). Theory of the firm: Managerial behavior, agency costs, and ownership structure. Journal of Financial Economics, 3(4), 305-360. https://doi.org/10.1016/0304-405X(76)90026-X
Leland, H. E. (1994). Corporate debt value, bond covenants, and optimal capital structure. Journal of Finance, 49(4), 1213-1252. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-6261.1994.tb04771.x
Miller, M. H., & Modigliani, F. (1961). Dividend policy, growth, and the valuation of shares. Journal of Business, 34(4), 411-433. https://doi.org/10.1086/294442
Modigliani, F., & Miller, M. H. (1958). The cost of capital, corporation finance, and the theory of investment. The American Economic Review, 48(3), 261-297. https://doi.org/10.2307/1809766
Rajan, R. G., & Zingales, L. (1995). What do we know about capital structure? Some evidence from international data. Journal of Finance, 50(5), 1421–1460. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-6261.1995.tb05184.x
Ross, S. A. (1977). The determination of financial structure: the incentive-signalling approach. Bell Journal of Economics, 8(1), 23–40. https://doi.org/10.2307/3003485
Titman, S., & Wessels, R. (1988). The determinants of capital structure choice. Journal of Finance, 43(1), 1-19. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-6261.1988.tb02585.x
Zhang, H. (2005). Corporate governance and dividend policy: A test using antitakeover legislation. Journal of Financial and Quantitative Analysis, 40(2), 419–439. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0022109000002248