Constraints on decision making regarding post-commencement finance in Business rescue

Abstract

Since its introduction, business rescue has become a critical consideration in business strategy decision making. One of the critical components of business rescue, which appears largely unsuccessful to date, involves securing post-commencement finance (PCF) to restore the company’s financial health. Despite extensive theory in the literature on failure, there is a void regarding post-commencement finance. Specialist practitioners and financiers with extensive experience in rescue and turnaround were interviewed in this study. Findings showed that many critical factors and reasons for lack of interest are due to the newness of the South African Companies Act 71 of 2008 (introduced May 2011). These include business rescue filing being left too late; the poor financial state of the business that files for rescue; and the significant impact on the outcome by some of the key players (especially the financiers and business rescue practitioners). Better understanding of this aspect would be beneficial for creditors, rescue practitioners, shareholders, government regulators, court officials and educators alike.

Key words: business rescue, post-commencement finance, turnaround, decision making