Kapitalstruktur och konkursrisk i svenska e-handelsföretag : En kvantitativ studie om sambandet mellan kapitalstruktur och konkursrisk

Sammanfattning

Background: E-commerce has grown rapidly in recent decades and has become an important part of the retail sector, both globally and in Sweden. The industry is characterized by strong competition, low entry barriers and pressure on profit margins, which creates financial challenges for many companies. At the same time, capital structure, how companies finance themselves through debt and equity, is a key factor influencing financial risk and stability. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to analyze the relationship between capital structure and bankruptcy risk in small and medium-sized (SME) Swedish e-commerce companies. By examining financial indicators such as leverage and profitability, the study aims to increase the understanding of how financing decisions affect companies financial stability and survival. Theory: The study is based on three central theories: Modigliani and Miller, the pecking order theory and the tradeoff-theory. Method: This study applies a quantitative research approach using logistic regression analysis. The empirical data is collected from Retriever Business and consists of small and medium-sized enterprises operating within the Swedish e-commerce sector. Conclusion: The results show no statistically significant relationship between capital structure and bankruptcy risk among small and medium-sized Swedish e-commerce companies. Instead, the findings suggest that factors such as firm size, age and industry-specific conditions may play a more important role in explaining bankruptcy risk.