Full metadata record
DC FieldValueLanguage
dc.contributorDepartment of Logistics and Maritime Studiesen_US
dc.contributor.advisorXiao, Guang (LMS)en_US
dc.contributor.advisorWang, Yulan (LMS)en_US
dc.contributor.advisorGuo, Xiaomeng (LMS)en_US
dc.creatorChen, Zepeng-
dc.identifier.urihttps://theses.lib.polyu.edu.hk/handle/200/11991-
dc.languageEnglishen_US
dc.publisherHong Kong Polytechnic Universityen_US
dc.rightsAll rights reserveden_US
dc.titleCrowdfunding or bank financing : innovation with the threat of downstream imitation and market uncertaintyen_US
dcterms.abstractWe consider a startup seeking external financing such as crowdfunding and bank financing. Public information disclosure may incur downstream imitation under crowd­funding, and demand uncertainty creates an additional burden on profitability under bank financing. We study how the startup can mitigate downstream imitation via information disclosure and what is the optimal funding choice in the presence of downstream imitation and demand uncertainty. Reward-based crowdfunding has experienced dramatic growth in recent years. However, crowdfunding is a double-edged sword: on the one hand, releasing more information can induce more contributors to pledge and increase the chance of surviving in the campaign; on the other hand, more public information lowers the barrier to entry and attracts opportunistic entrepreneurs. We explore how a startup might mitigate this threat via information disclosure and discuss the benefits of two financing strategies. We employ a game-theoretical model where the startup can either choose the bank financing strategy and start the business activity without demand information or elect the crowdfunding strategy in the presence of downstream imitation. We find that the startup may accommodate imitation in the presence of a small or large crowdfunding market. The information disclosure can be used as a weapon to mitigate downstream imitation, i.e., the startup may strategically hide crowdfunding information to weaken or expel the imitator. We show that the startup should choose bank financing if the commercial risk is low and crowdfunding otherwise. That is, the complementary relationship between the risk of downstream imitation and commercial risk appeals for bank financing. We show how startups can strategically reveal product information on the public crowdfunding platform, thus guiding startups for deterring potential downstream imitation. We also show that the commercial risk of projects affects startups' funding choice, which in turn is of interest to crowdfunding platforms aiming at high-quality projects.en_US
dcterms.extentvi, 56 pages : color illustrationsen_US
dcterms.isPartOfPolyU Electronic Thesesen_US
dcterms.issued2022en_US
dcterms.educationalLevelM.Phil.en_US
dcterms.educationalLevelAll Masteren_US
dcterms.LCSHCrowd fundingen_US
dcterms.LCSHNew business enterprises -- Financeen_US
dcterms.LCSHHong Kong Polytechnic University -- Dissertationsen_US
dcterms.accessRightsopen accessen_US

Files in This Item:
File Description SizeFormat 
6426.pdfFor All Users2.69 MBAdobe PDFView/Open


Copyright Undertaking

As a bona fide Library user, I declare that:

  1. I will abide by the rules and legal ordinances governing copyright regarding the use of the Database.
  2. I will use the Database for the purpose of my research or private study only and not for circulation or further reproduction or any other purpose.
  3. I agree to indemnify and hold the University harmless from and against any loss, damage, cost, liability or expenses arising from copyright infringement or unauthorized usage.

By downloading any item(s) listed above, you acknowledge that you have read and understood the copyright undertaking as stated above, and agree to be bound by all of its terms.

Show simple item record

Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://theses.lib.polyu.edu.hk/handle/200/11991