In a final set of analyses we explore whether certain firm- and country-level characteristics strengthen or weaken the effect of
demand-side forces. We hypothesize that if firms have to turn to external funds or face hurdles in raising external funds, the effect
of demand-side forces is weaker. This is because demand-side concerns—that is, concerns about losing control to creditors under
strong creditor rights—take a back seat to the need to raise external funds. Results of regressions that include interactions
between creditor rights and firm-level variables (profitability, growth, size and asset tangibility) as well as proxies for financial
market development suggest that the negative effect of creditor rights is indeed weaker under those circumstances. It therefore
appears that the incentive of managers to avoid debt for fear of losing control is attenuated by the need for external funds or
relative unavailability of external funds.