Financing Availability and Investment Decisions of Slovenian Farms During the Transition to a Market Economy

Abstract

This paper investigates the financial determinants of investment decisions made by Slovenian family farms during the transition to a market economy in the period 1994–2003. Results from standard and augmented accelerator models indicate that farms' investment decisions were based on market opportunities during this period, ruling out the presence of soft budget constraints, but that these decisions were constrained by the availability of finance. Further analyses reveal a non-significant impact of investment subsidies received by farms, but a positive impact of operational subsidies for small farms only, on the alleviation of financial constraints.

JEL classification:

• G31
• C33
• Q14

Key words:

• farms
• investment
• accelerator model
• financial constraints
• soft budget constraint
• subsidies
• Slovenia