The effects of bank competition on firm R&D investment: an inverted-U relationship

Purpose Bank financing is an important external financing source for firm research and development (R&D) investment. This study aims to use an exponential quadratic specification to investigate the effect of bank competition on firm R&D investment and its underlying mechanisms. Moreover, this study checks bank competition’s heterogeneous effects on firm R&D investment. Design/methodology/approach Based on data of Chinese manufacturing firms and bank branches, this study uses the Tobit estimator, instrumental variable method and Heckman two-step approach to test the relationship between bank competition and firm R&D investment. Findings The results show robustness evidence of an inverted-U relationship between bank competition and firm R&D investment. Specifically, increases in bank competition promote firm R&D investment until bank competition reaches the turning point and reduce firm R&D investment after crossing the turning point. Financing costs and financial constraints can explain the inverted-U relationship between bank competition and firm R&D investment. Heterogeneity examinations reveal that R&D investment is more sensitive to bank competition in non-state-owned enterprises, small firms and high-tech firms. Originality/value This study contributes to the literature on the relationship between bank competition and firm innovation. The authors investigate the heterogeneity of R&D investment influenced by bank competition and depict the economic effects brought by bank competition. This study sheds light on the real effects of bank competition and the determinants of firm R&D investment in transition economies. The conclusions provide empirical evidence for reducing credit discrimination and improving capital allocation efficiency in developing countries.