Financial constraints, short selling and corporate fraud: Evidence from China

Abstract

This study investigates the relationship between financial constraints and corporate fraud commission and its detection and the moderating role of short selling using a partial observable bivariate probit model. First, financially constrained corporations are more likely to commit fraud and their fraudulent behaviours are less likely to be detected. Second, short selling has an interesting effect on corporate fraud. On the one hand, short selling has a direct restraining effect on corporate fraud commission and increases the likelihood of corporate fraud detection. On the other hand, short selling plays a moderating role in the relationship between financial constraints and corporate fraud. This study contributes to the corporate fraud literature by analysing the factors influencing corporate fraud and provides theoretical support for regulators and managers in monitoring fraudulent behaviour.