Score contribution per author:
α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count
We investigate whether economic sentiment exerts an impact on firms’ decision to apply for a bank loan or not and hence its impact on discouragement prevalence. Using survey data for Eurozone firms and employing a Probit Heckman selection model, we document that a positive shock in economic sentiment lowers the percentage of discouraged bank borrowers in the economy. In contrast, higher economic sentiment shock volatility leads to an increase in discouragement.