1 J|DB Data Base 2 |EU European Union 3 | GEM Global Entrepreneurship Monitor 4 |ICT Information and Communication Technology 5 |KVCA | Korean Venture Capital Association 6 |NSF National
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The structure of thesis is as follows.
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTIONThe first part, Introduction, describes the background, motivation,objective, and scope of the paper in general.
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Studies related to the financial support policies of the government
Government financial support plays a crucial role in helping countries navigate the challenges of commercializing innovation and enhancing market performance (Svensson, 2008) However, startups often face disadvantages, as they must adapt to new roles and tasks, which can lead to inefficiencies due to capital constraints and role conflicts (Stinchcombe, 1965) The ability of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to secure funding is vital for their growth, as they typically experience limited access to the financial resources necessary for effective business operations (Aldrich & Auster, 1986; Meyer & Dean, 1990; Bradley II & Rubach, 1999; Jang-woo Lee & Soo-deok Jang, 1999).
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can achieve higher investment returns with smaller capital investments compared to larger companies, due to the principle of diminishing marginal returns to capital As a result, SMEs with promising future prospects but limited funding are often willing to accept higher loan interest rates than their medium and large counterparts.
Marginal returns to capital of large companies
Marginal returns to capital of SMEs
Figure 2.1 The principle of diminishing marginal returns to capital
Seoul National University's Korea Institute of Public Administration
A study from 2006 supports the effectiveness of policy funding for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), noting improved profitability compared to a control group Companies that received policy funds also experienced growth in size and increased labor costs However, there were no significant differences in stability, activity, or growth between the analytical and comparative groups Additionally, the research indicates that both mid-sized direct loans and proxy loans from general banks positively impact the sales-to-profit ratio and total sales across all support projects, regardless of the loan method used.
The Korea Institute for Industrial Economics and Trade (2007) conducted a comprehensive study involving a survey of 417 companies and financial data from 4,000 firms to propose strategies for improving the differentiation and effectiveness of policy funds aimed at small and medium-sized enterprises The analysis of policy fund performance was categorized into two key areas: the "subsidy effect" representing the initial performance and the subsequent management outcomes.
The second round of performance improvements from policy funds significantly benefited small and medium-sized enterprises, with an average increase of 3.6%, exceeding 0.4 percentage points Notably, smaller companies demonstrated higher performance per unit of policy funds during the early stages of their development Overall, the impact of these funds on enhancing management performance, including employment, sales, and profit margins, has been predominantly positive.
Yong-Hwan Noh (2010) found that policy-loan programs have a significantly positive impact on the profitability of SMEs in the short term, with direct financing yielding greater benefits than indirect financing through commercial banks This positive effect is particularly pronounced for start-up companies and SMEs in their early stages compared to older SMEs Additionally, policy loans significantly enhance the growth rate of sales, with consigned loans demonstrating a stronger influence on sales growth than direct lending.
Research indicates that government support for R&D projects significantly benefits SMEs, as highlighted by Lerner (1999) and Feldman-Keley (2006), who noted that such participation often attracts venture capital investment Ceruli-Poti (2012) found that beneficiary companies in Italy experienced increased sales linked to government-backed innovation initiatives Additionally, Czarnitzki-Husinger (2004) demonstrated that government assistance effectively enhances patent productivity Furthermore, Meuleman-Maeseneire (2012) analyzed 1,107 Belgian companies and concluded that government R&D financial support plays a crucial role in fostering confidence in the financial market.
According to Hamberg (1996)'s empirical analysis of eight industries, government financial support promoted private R&D investment in six
14 industries In the case of Israel, showed that if the government provided a dollar for R&D, the private sector invested an average of 41 cents more. (Lach 2000),
Numerous studies have explored the connection between corporate size and financial stability regarding loans According to research by Dong-geul Lee and Jae-joong Kwon (2003), larger corporations are increasingly minimizing their reliance on bank loans by opting for capital increases and corporate bond issuances In contrast, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) continue to depend heavily on loans from financial institutions due to challenges in directly accessing financial markets.
Ahn Yu-mi (2016) said that while the proportion of indirect financing such as bank loans to small and medium-sized companies was 99.6% as of
In 2015, the limited proportion of direct financing options, such as corporate bonds, highlighted a significant imbalance that posed a risk for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) facing high credit risks during economic downturns.
Kim Hyun-wook (2005) used the policy fund support data (1998-2003) contained in the Small and Medium Business Administration's SMEs Status
A comparison of corporate financial data from DB and D&B Korea reveals no significant differences in operating margins between beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries of policy fund support This finding raises questions about the effectiveness of the policy fund support project.
Lichtenberg (1984) analyzed companies supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF) of the United States for 10 years from 1967, but government support was rather reducing private investment in R&D Walsten
The evaluation of the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program highlighted its role in supporting small business technology innovation in the United States The government’s initiative aims to enhance R&D investments and address market failures However, it has faced criticism for potentially diminishing the incentive for companies to invest independently.
15 private investment in R&D as it failed to perform its function.
Studies related to the stability of SMEs companies
Financial flexibility, rooted in corporate flexibility theory, is the capacity of a company to adeptly manage its financial resources This capability enables firms to mitigate potential risks, respond promptly to crises, and seize investment opportunities, ultimately enhancing corporate performance (Graham & Garvey, 2001; Byoun, 2001; DeAngelo & DeAngelo).
In times of crisis or when lucrative investment opportunities arise, companies that can secure financial resources like cash, debt, and capital at a low cost are better positioned to invest and enhance their performance Research indicates that firms with high financial flexibility tend to outperform those with low financial flexibility during financial downturns.
Arslan et al (2014) examined the financial data of publicly listed companies during the Asian financial crisis of 1997 and the US financial crisis of 2008, revealing that firms with high financial flexibility outperformed those with low financial flexibility in both crises This highlights that high financial flexibility enables companies to effectively mitigate risks, avoid financial distress, seize valuable investment opportunities, and contribute to sustainable growth Research on financial flexibility primarily focuses on two key aspects: maintaining low financial leverage and ensuring high cash reserves.
Margaritis and Psillaki (2010) found that a high debt ratio serves as an effective control measure to minimize cash flow wastage in firms by mitigating default risk and alleviating pressure on cash flows for debt repayment Consequently, their research revealed a positive effect of the debt ratio on corporate value Additionally, a significant positive relationship between the debt ratio and enterprise value has been reported by Jensen (1986), Kaplan (1989), and Srulz.
Kwon Ki-Jung (2006) indicated that a higher debt ratio negatively impacts the relationship between accounting profits and book value Furthermore, several Korean studies, including those by Geon-Woo Kim (1997) and Wook Cho (2000), found a significant negative relationship between debt ratio and corporate value.
Trend of South Korea SMEs companies and government suppott
2.2.1 SMEs support conditions of South Korea government
A comparison of start-up support in Korea reveals its significance in developing a robust start-up ecosystem The GEM (2016) survey highlights that Korean founders engaged in early-stage activities prioritize "physical infrastructure" as a key component of their entrepreneurial environment.
"government support" are sufficient compared to other countries However, it received relatively low evaluations such as 'start-up education’, 'Entry barrier' and ‘transfer of R&D".
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Korea boasts strong support for start-ups through various projects, tax benefits, and physical infrastructure; however, it struggles with R&D, technology transfer, market burden mitigation, and start-up financing Additionally, the lack of sufficient start-up education in schools hinders the development of a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem, as highlighted by recent studies This indicates a need for a cultural shift to nurture and encourage start-ups, alongside a transition from innovation-driven to growth-oriented corporate policies that focus on R&D transfer, commercialization, venture investment, and the removal of regulatory barriers.
Table 2.2 Trends of startup companies in South Korea
2016 2017 2018 2019 ALL 1,190,177 | 1,256,267 | 1,344,366 | 1,285,259 Start-up | Corporation 96,625 97,549} 102,372] 109,520 company Private
18 based companies business | Corporation 37,102 37,652 39,901 41,010 start-up Private
Number of start-u : companies companies: (Unit) in technology-based industries; (Unit) 529 000
*Source: Ministry of SMEs and Startups ' Trends of Startup Companies |
In South Korea, a startup company is defined as a for-profit entity, which can include both individuals and corporations, that has successfully registered its business with the National Tax Service within the current month Notably, this definition excludes non-profit organizations and corporate branches.
Technology-based industry: Industry classification defined by the EU and OECD definitions, including manufacturing industries with high economic ripple effects and some high value-added service industries.
As of 2019, the total number of start-up companies reached 1.29 million, representing a 14.4% increase, largely influenced by a decline in the real estate sector When excluding real estate, the count of start-ups was 1.01 million, reflecting a significant 72.9% of the total The growth of start-ups in sectors outside real estate has shown a steady upward trend, with figures rising from 924,350 in 2016 to 1,005,462 in 2019.
Technology-based business start-ups increased for 3 consecutive years,
In 2019, knowledge-based service industries, including information and communication, professional, scientific, technical, and business support services, accounted for 220,000 jobs, representing 73.9% of employment in alignment with the changes brought about by the Fourth Industrial Revolution Additionally, the financial accessibility and external investment conditions for start-up companies play a crucial role in their growth and sustainability.
To foster innovative and high-growth start-ups, it is crucial to ensure these promising ventures can consistently secure funding until they achieve success This can be facilitated through accessible loans from financial institutions based on viable business ideas or through adequate external investments However, in Korea, start-ups face greater challenges in accessing financial resources compared to other developed nations Additionally, attracting external investment is hindered by the difficulty of realizing returns after a business is launched.
Table 2.3 Financial Environment of South Korea
Ease of Investment | Ease of return Financial Category
Source: Youth Entrepreneurship Foundation (2016), Global Entrepreneurship Trend Report
The Youth Entrepreneurship Foundation (2016) reported that Korea's financial environment index stands at 78.68 points, which is below the global average of 81.42 and significantly lower than that of leading advanced countries like the United States, Britain, and Japan Notably, the assessment highlights a particular challenge for innovation-driven start-ups in Korea, indicating that these businesses struggle to secure ongoing funding after their inception, revealing a lack of established structures to attract external investment.
Percentage of VC toGDP | 0.079} 0.118 | 0014 cw 0.015 | 0.268
Korea's venture capital (VC) investment is notably higher than that of Britain, Japan, and Germany, reflecting a favorable external investment climate With a remarkable growth rate of 136.1%, Korea's VC investment outpaces that of major developed countries, indicating a robust upward trend in the sector.
In 2007, venture capital investment per company was significantly lower in other regions compared to the U.S and Israel, with averages being only one-tenth and one-fifth, respectively This indicates that funding is heavily concentrated among select venture companies Furthermore, the low levels of venture investment can be attributed to challenges in achieving a return on investment after launching a business, as highlighted by previous financial environment indicators.
Table 2.5 Startup investment trend of South Korea
*Source: Korea Venture Capital Association
25,000 investment companies amount companies amount associations
The startup investment trend in South Korea highlights the performance of venture capital, which focuses on investments made by registered startup investment companies and associations under the Ministry of Small and Medium Venture Business (SMEs) and venture firms, rather than the overall investment in small and medium-sized enterprises.
Venture investment figures reached record levels, driven by relaxed regulations like eased founding capital requirements for startup investment companies and the establishment of significant policy funds such as the Innovation Growth Fund In 2020, 21 new startup investment companies were registered, marking the highest number since 2000 Additionally, when considering limited liability company-type venture capital, the overall investment landscape has expanded significantly.
198 venture capital companies are active Venture investment performance in
In 2020, investment performance reached a record high of 4,304.5 billion won, surpassing the previous record of 4,277.5 billion won set in 2019 The formation of investment associations saw a significant increase of approximately 54.8%, totaling 6,576.7 billion won, marking the first time this figure exceeded 6 trillion won Additionally, a historic 206 new associations were formed during this period, representing the highest number ever recorded.
Start-up companies often struggle with public recognition and competence, leading to challenges in product sales and securing financial support, which can result in early bankruptcy before achieving substantial growth This highlights the crucial role of government support for SMEs Isenberg (2011) emphasized that the government’s responsibility is to enhance the national economy through startups, encapsulating the essential policies, businesses, and social environments that contribute to a successful “SMEs startup ecosystem.” According to the 'Startup Trend Report 2020,' a significant 46.4% of founders identified the need for foundational funding and increased government investment as critical for developing the startup ecosystem in Korea.
SMEs, why SMEs still having difficulties? I believe the means and target of support on SMEs was insufficient and irrelevant.
Kim Hyun-wook (2005) and Bae Kyung-hwa (2005) conducted analyses on the impact of financial support for SMEs Kim utilized data from the SMEs DB covering 1998 to 2003, finding no significant difference in profitability improvements between supported and unsupported companies, although firms with shorter business histories showed greater benefits Meanwhile, Bae examined the success factors for start-ups in incubation centers that received government funding, concluding that the effect of such financial support was minimal.
2.3.2 Loan interest rate & government venture capital amounts on SMEs growth
Margaritis and Psillaki (2010) highlighted that a high debt ratio can serve as a control mechanism to mitigate cash flow wastage due to default risk, resulting in a positive impact on corporate value This is supported by previous research indicating a significant positive relationship between debt ratio and enterprise value (Jensen 1986; Kaplan 1989; Srulz 1990) Conversely, Kwon Ki-Jung (2006) noted that an increased debt ratio correlates with a more negative relationship between accounting profits and book value Additionally, several studies in Korea have found a significant negative relationship between debt ratio and corporate value (Geon-Woo Kim 1997; Wook Cho, 2000).
I believe government support is very necessary for the startups and venture companies There are a lot of factors of government support Existed