This book discusses the concepts, types, models, and patterns of crowdfunding to provide a comprehensive portrait of this newly developed market-based financial tool. In addition, it examines a number of economic theories to help readers understand the proliferation of crowdfunding, reviews empirical works to find gaps in the literature, and outlines future research directions. A unique feature of this book is that it discusses Japan's crowdfunding approach, which is somewhat different from that of the Western countries, by highlighting a specific crowdfunding platform (Music Securities) and a crowdfund-backed firm (SABAR restaurant). Further, it explores the suitability of Japan's crowdfunding approach for addressing the financial needs of SMEs in developing countries,using Bangladesh as a representative case. Finally, the book identifies some lessons learned from crowd funding so as to advance research into this phenomenon, and to make it efficient and sustainable. As such,the book will benefit novices, academics, researchers, and policymakers interested in crowdfunding technology.

Discusses the concepts, types, models, and trends of crowdfunding, followed by theories and empirical works, and outlines future research directions Examines Japan's crowdfunding approach and provides two representative cases in this context Explores the potential of Japan's crowdfunding approach for financing SMEs in developing countries

Autorentext
Bishnu Kumar Adhikary is Associate Professor at the Graduate School of Business Administration, Kobe University, Japan. He obtained an MBA (finance) and a PhD from Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, Japan. He also earned an MBA (marketing) from Calcutta University, India, and an M.COM (accounting) from the University of Dhaka, Bangladesh. He has published articles in a number of respected journals, such as the Journal of Multinational Financial Management, Asia Pacific Business Review, Journal of Comparative Asian Development, South Asian Journal of Business Studies, and Contemporary South Asia.

Kenji Kutsuna is a Professor and Vice Dean of the Graduate School of Science, Technology and Innovation, Kobe University, Japan. He obtained a PhD (commerce) from Osaka City University, Japan. He is also a Professor of Entrepreneurial Finance at the Graduate School of Business Administration, Kobe University. His academic work has been published in several high-ranking journals, such as the Journal of Finance, Journal of Financial Economics, Review of Financial Studies, Journal of Banking and Finance, and the Journal of Corporate Finance. Takaaki Hoda is an Associate Professor responsible for corporate finance and entrepreneurial finance at the Graduate School of Business Administration, Kobe University, Japan. He is also an Assistant Director of the SESAMI Program at the Graduate School of Business Administration, Kobe University. He earned a PhD (commerce) from Waseda University, Japan. His work has been published in several leading journals such as Venture Policy, and Public Policy Review. <p