Financial constraints and optimal working capital – evidence from an emerging market

2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-53 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gaurav S. Chauhan ◽  
Pradip Banerjee
Keyword(s):  
Financial Constraints ◽  
Emerging Market ◽  
Manufacturing Firms ◽  
Capital Management ◽  
Working Capital ◽  
Partial Adjustment ◽  
Working Capital Management ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cash Conversion Cycle ◽  
Systematic Feature

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the existence of an optimal or target level of working capital for the Indian manufacturing firms, and whether firms intensely follow the target or not. Design/methodology/approach The paper uses cash conversion cycle as a measure of net working capital and employs partial-adjustment dynamic panel models to test its target-following behavior. Findings The empirical results show that there is no evidence of systematic target-following behavior of working capital for the Indian manufacturing firms. The results hold true even after dividing the sample into four groups depending on the sign and magnitude of deviation. The results further show that lack of target-following tendency is not quite influenced by varying firm-specific characteristics and, therefore, seems to be a systematic feature across firms in India. Research limitations/implications Scarcity of such working capital management studies across emerging economies, facing several financial constraints, limits the comparison of findings. Future studies should be conducted to confirm the results. Practical implications The findings imply that even though an optimal working capital might exist, emerging market firms may not be able to actively pursue it on account of several financial constraints and managerial considerations. Originality/value The study contributes to the scant existing literature on the target-following behavior of working capital management in the Indian manufacturing firms, representing a typical emerging market facing several financial constraints.

Working capital management and managerial talent

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nacasius U. Ujah ◽  
Augustine Tarkom ◽  
Collins E. Okafor
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Financial Constraints ◽  
Capital Management ◽  
Working Capital ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Working Capital Management ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cash Conversion Cycle ◽  
Managerial Talent

PurposeTalented managers arguably remain quintessential to firm value and performance. While the literature offers evidence for the long-term orientation of talented managers, there is a paucity of evidence on the short-term performance of managers. Here, we examine the relationship between managerial talent and working capital management (WCM).Design/methodology/approachThis study primarily employs a panel fixed-effect method controlling for firm-year and firm-industry for non-financial and non-utility firms for the years 1980 through 2016. Also, the authors control of potential bias that may impact the result. These controls include social capital, financial constraints and tests for endogeneity and spurious correlation.FindingsThe authors find the association between managerial talent and WCM to be positive and significant. The results indicate that talented managers have a higher cash conversion cycle. The empirical evidence still holds after controlling for social capital, religiosity and financial constraints. Also, the evidence still holds by employing an interaction term between Tobin's Q as a proxy for investment opportunities and talented managers.Practical implicationsThe finding may lend credence to executive contracts. Human nature, by default, is only vested on a net benefit for self-aggrandization. Self-aggrandization can be evident through structures in managerial contracts. These contracts usually tie consequences to long-term growths. If a benefit is offered based on short-term operational goals, talented managers may do more to the management of working capital.Originality/valueIn the managerial talent literature, talents reflect a holistic picture of one that can succeed in both the short-term and long-term goals of a company. Here, the authors show that talented managers are inefficient in meeting short-term goal – working capital management. Thus, the authors add to the research by providing evidence that talented managers are myopic.

Assessing working capital management efficiency of Indian manufacturing exporters

2020 ◽  
Vol 46 (8) ◽  
pp. 1061-1079 ◽  
Author(s):  
Himanshu Seth ◽  
Saurabh Chadha ◽  
Namita Ruparel ◽  
Puneet Kumar Arora ◽  
Satyendra Kumar Sharma
Keyword(s):  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Manufacturing Sector ◽  
Manufacturing Firms ◽  
Capital Management ◽  
Working Capital ◽  
Exogenous Variables ◽  
Working Capital Management ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cash Conversion Cycle ◽  
Time Period

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to empirically investigate the relationship between working capital management (WCM) efficiency and exogenous variables of the Indian manufacturing sector along with its sub-industries that are involved in export activities.Design/methodology/approachPanel regression (fixed effects) was used on a sample of 563 Indian manufacturing firms involved in export activities, covering a time period from 2008 to 2018.FindingsIndustry-wise results showed a significant relation of leverage, net fixed asset ratio, profitability, asset turnover ratio, total asset growth rate and productivity with cash conversion cycle (CCC).Research limitations/implicationsFirstly, having taken a sample from a developing economy, the results of our study may be generalizable only among developing contexts. Secondly, the time period taken in this study (2008–2018) has witnessed several economic fluctuations such as recession and demonetization which might differ for the firms or countries in normal conditions.Practical implicationsAn improved working capital model could advance the firms' performance by reducing the CCC of the firm, thereby creating efficiency in WCM. In addition, the results of this study could be helpful for many stakeholders such as working capital managers, debt holders, investors, financial consultants and others for monitoring the firms.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the existing literature in the relation between WCM efficiency and exogenous variables of the Indian manufacturing firms engaged in the export activities. Moreover, this study is one of the few research studies to investigate this relationship among Indian export firms in different industries, thus filling the gap in similar work done in other countries.

Working capital management and profitability of listed manufacturing firms in Ghana

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kofi Amponsah-Kwatiah ◽  
Michael Asiamah
Keyword(s):  
Inventory Management ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Manufacturing Firms ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Capital Management ◽  
Working Capital ◽  
Working Capital Management ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Cash Conversion Cycle

PurposeThis study examines the effect of working capital management on profitability of listed manufacturing firms in Ghana.Design/methodology/approachThe study employs a quantitative research approach within the causal research design using a balance panel of 20 manufacturing listed firms from 2015 to 2019.FindingsThe study reveals that inventory management, account receivables, account payables, cash conversion cycle, current asset, current ratio and firm size have positive effects on return on assets (ROA) and return on return on equity(ROE) whilst leverage affects them negatively.Research limitations/implicationsThe study only covers 20 manufacturing firms generally due to data unavailability. However, the outcome has useful information for manufacturing firms.Practical implicationsThe study brings to light effective ways of improving the profitability of manufacturing firms through policies.Social implicationsThe findings are beneficial to manufacturing firms and countries for the purpose of improving performance of firms and welfare of the people through direct and indirect chain effects of increasing investments, remunerations and scales of production.Originality/valueThis study adds insights into the existing literature on working capital management namely methodology, effects of components on profitability of manufacturing firms and socioeconomic implications- evidence from Ghana.

scholarly journals Cash Conversion Cycle and Profitability, Evidence from Jordan

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 81
Author(s):  
Manar Moffadi Al-Mohareb
Keyword(s):  
Stock Exchange ◽  
Theoretical Aspect ◽  
Practical Aspect ◽  
Manufacturing Firms ◽  
Capital Management ◽  
Working Capital ◽  
Working Capital Management ◽  
Cash Conversion Cycle ◽  
Amman Stock Exchange ◽  
The Impact

This study investigates the impact of working capital management and its components on profitability as a practical aspect, and how is compatible with the theoretical aspect. Besides, it examines other financial factors that may affect profitability by using a sample of Jordanian manufacturing firms listed in the Amman Stock Exchange for the period (2016-2018). Theoretically, manufacturing firms that have been studied have current assets over half of their total assets. Therefore, the working capital management role will be clearer on firm profitability.Practically, the results indicate that there is a significant relationship between the cash conversion cycle, which is considered as a proxy of working capital management, and profitability of the manufacturing firms. This provides an opportunity to create value for shareholders by decreasing receivable accounts and inventory, enhancing the profitability of the firms and reducing the collection period and by adopting effective credit policy.

Modifying the cash conversion cycle: revealing concealed advance payments

2014 ◽  
Vol 63 (3) ◽  
pp. 341-353 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna-Maria Talonpoika ◽  
Sari Monto ◽  
Miia Pirttilä ◽  
Timo Kärri
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Data ◽  
Stock Exchange ◽  
Capital Management ◽  
Working Capital ◽  
Working Capital Management ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Remarkable Effect ◽  
Cash Conversion Cycle ◽  
Accounts Payable ◽  
Business Practitioners

Purpose – The cash conversion cycle (CCC) is widely used in the academic studies of working capital management and supply chain efficiency. The purpose of this paper is to introduce a modification of this measure that takes into account advance payments as a component of operational working capital. Design/methodology/approach – A new measure, the modified cash conversion cycle (mCCC) is introduced and tested with empirical data of companies in Helsinki Stock Exchange. Findings – The mCCC reveals the real efficiency of operational working capital in companies that receive advance payments to a remarkable extent. Research limitations/implications – The mCCC can be used in empirical analysis in academic studies. In this paper, the empirical data are used only for testing the mCCC. The paper concerns received advance payments, but the mCCC can also be extended also to other components of operational working capital ignored by the traditional CCC. Practical implications – The paper offers insights into the variations of CCC for class teachers, and business practitioners, particularly financiers, who deal with operational working capital, cash flow predictions and calculations. Originality/value – There are current items that may have a remarkable effect on operational working capital, but traditionally only inventories, accounts receivable and accounts payable are discussed. The authors argue that also other current items should be taken into account, if they affect the efficiency of operational working capital. The new mCCC is encouraged to be used instead of the CCC when observing working capital management.

Working capital management and firm’s valuation, profitability and risk

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 191-204 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ben Le
Keyword(s):  
Firm Performance ◽  
Panel Data ◽  
Emerging Market ◽  
Firm Valuation ◽  
Capital Management ◽  
Working Capital ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Working Capital Management ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Impact

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of working capital management on firm valuation, profitability and risk.Design/methodology/approachThe paper uses a panel data set of 497 firms covering the period 2007 to 2016. The authors test the effects of working capital management on firm valuation, profitability and risk using the panel data methodology that includes firm and year fixed effects regressions.FindingsThe authors find a significantly negative relationship between net working capital (NWC) and firm valuation, profitability and risk. The results suggest that, in managing working capital, firm managers must make a trade-off between their objectives for profitability and risk control. Working-capital management is of particular importance in firms with less access to capital; it is also important when firms are expanding their investments during periods of economic recovery.Originality/valueThis paper contributes to the literature in several ways. First, to my knowledge, it provides the most comprehensive investigation, to date, on the relationship between working capital management and firm valuation, profitability and risk in an emerging market. Second, this study documents the existence of an optimal level of NWC in an emerging market. Third, firm performance, as measured in both market and accounting value, can be improved with efficient working capital management. Finally, the study includes the impact of the business cycle in an analysis of the effects of working capital management on firm performance.

Working capital management and firm profitability: a meta-analysis

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 34-47 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harsh Pratap Singh ◽  
Satish Kumar ◽  
Sisira Colombage
Keyword(s):  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Capital Management ◽  
Working Capital ◽  
Working Capital Management ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Negatively Associated ◽  
Cash Conversion Cycle ◽  
Prior Literature ◽  
Narrative Literature Review ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose The purpose of this study is to quantitatively aggregate the findings of prior literature on the effect of working capital management (WCM) on corporate profitability using the meta-analysis technique developed by Hunter et al. (1982). Design/methodology/approach A set of 46 research articles that directly studied the relationship between WCM, and profitability was analyzed for the purpose. In addition to overall meta-analysis, a detailed subgroup study was also conducted to test whether the differences in results are due to moderating effects related to different profitability proxies, economic development of a specific country and size of the firms under study. Findings The findings of this meta-analysis confirm that WCM is negatively associated with profitability, which means an aggressive WCM policy leads to higher profitability. Overall, and in all the subgroup studies, the cash conversion cycle was found to be negatively associated with profitability. Originality/value Unlike narrative literature review papers, this meta-analysis provides quantitatively aggregate evidence on the relationship of WCM and firms’ profitability. To the best of authors’ knowledge, no previous meta-analysis paper is published on the topic.

Association between the availability of financial resources and working capital management with stock surplus returns in Iran

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 343-361 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahdi Salehi ◽  
Nadia Mahdavi ◽  
Saeed Zarif Agahi Dari ◽  
Hossein Tarighi
Keyword(s):  
Stock Returns ◽  
Firm Value ◽  
Financial Constraints ◽  
Cash Holdings ◽  
Financial Resources ◽  
Capital Management ◽  
Working Capital ◽  
Working Capital Management ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between access to financial resources, working capital with surplus stock returns and value of the company in Iran. Design/methodology/approach The study population consists of 728 observations and 91 firms listed on the Tehran stock exchange during an eight-year period between 2009 and 2016. The statistical model used in this study is a multivariate regression model; further, the statistical technique used to test the hypotheses is panel data. Findings The results saw a negative and significant linkage between changes in cash and stock’ excess returns, whereas no meaningful association between changes in working capital and stock surplus returns was seen. In other words, an Iranian rial (Iran’s currency) invested in working capital worth less on average than a rial held in cash. Furthermore, the authors realized that in an inflationary economy, firms mainly pay more dividends so as to illustrate better their financial position and also to attract more investors’ trust. The results also indicated that the final value of working capital in the companies that are faced with financial constraints is more than companies that are not faced with financial constraints. Subsequently, after the elimination of the effects of inflation on stock returns, it was found there is not any significant association between the stock’s real return and firm value. Practical implications This is one of the most comprehensive research works in Iran that simultaneously surveys the impacts of access to finance and working capital on firm value. This research warns corporate managers to pay more attention to the importance of keeping cash to finance and manage working capital for profitability and sustainability of their company’s operations. Surely, by understanding the relationship between cash holdings, working capital management and stock surplus return, investors will be able to make appropriate decisions about the optimal choice of funds. Originality/value What really will fascinate other scholars about this paper is the time period of the study because there were unprecedented sanctions against Iran market and many manufacturing industries were in financial strain. Without hesitation, the paper will make aware investors and stakeholders of this fact that cash holdings will be a good way in reducing the corporate financial problems in emerging markets, particularly those markets face financial sanctions like Iran.

scholarly journals Pengaruh Manajemen Modal Kerja Terhadap Profitabilitas Dengan Moderasi Financial Constraints

SKETSA BISNIS ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 72-81
Author(s):  
Artha Merika Indah Puspita Sari ◽  
Rahmat Setiawan
Keyword(s):  
Linear Regression ◽  
Analytical Method ◽  
Financial Constraints ◽  
Sampling Method ◽  
Capital Management ◽  
Working Capital ◽  
Working Capital Management ◽  
Purposive Sampling ◽  
Cash Conversion Cycle ◽  
Negative Effect

Abstract                This study aims to determine the effect of working capital management on profitaility. Working capital management here is seen through cash conversion cycle company. The study also looked at the moderating effect of financial constraints on the effect of working capital management on profitaility. The research used purposive sampling method and the analytical method used in this study is multiple linear regression. Based on the results of the analysis it can be concluded that cash conversion cycle has a significant negative effect on profitability. The financial constraints variabel strengthens the negative effect of the cash conversion cycle on profitability.   Keywords: working capital management, cash conversion cycle, profitability, and financial constraints. Abstrak Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui pengaruh manajemen modal kerja terhadap profitabilitas. Manajemen modal kerja disini dilihat melalui siklus konversi kas perusahaan. Penelitian ini juga melihat efek moderasi financial constraints pada pengaruh manajemen modal kerja terhadap profitabilitas. Metode pengambilan sampel menggunakan purposive sampling, dan metode analisis yang digunakan pada penelitian ini adalah metode regresi linier berganda. Berdasarkan hasil analisis dapat disimpulkan bahwa manajemen modal kerja melalui siklus konversi kas berpengaruh negatif signifikan terhadap profitabilitas. Variabel financial constraints memperkuat pengaruh negatif siklus konversi kas terhadap profitabilitas. Kata Kunci: manajemen modal kerja, siklus konversi kas, profitabilitas dan financial constraints.

scholarly journals Working capital management: evidence from Norway

2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 295-313 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hakim Lyngstadaas ◽  
Terje Berg
Keyword(s):  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Capital Management ◽  
Working Capital ◽  
Return On Assets ◽  
Working Capital Management ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cash Conversion Cycle ◽  
Specific Effects ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide empirical evidence of whether working capital management (WCM) has an effect on the profitability of small- and medium-sized Norwegian firms. Design/methodology/approach – The data comprise 21,075 Norwegian small- and medium-sized enterprises and 84,300 observations made between 2010 and 2013. Panel data regressions were applied with fixed effects and a two-stage least squares analysis was employed to control for endogeneity. Findings – The results indicate that reducing cash conversion cycle will increase profitability. Even though endogeneity may exist, this does not affect the results from the previous analysis. Similar results are also obtained when industry-specific effects are controlled for, supporting the robustness of the results. The relevance of quadratic dependencies of the profitability on independent variables was also identified and suggests a decreasing trend of return on assets with increasing values of the WCM’s characteristic variables. Research limitations/implications – Drawing on similar studies, this study confirms that WCM is relevant for firms’ profitability. Practical implications – The practice of aggressive working capital policy in Norwegian firms is confirmed by the results of this study. Originality/value – This study contributes to the current research on the relationship between WCM and profitability by using a large dataset to add further robustness to results, and thus verifying whether or not the results in previous studies may be confirmed or not. Moreover, this is the first published study about this relationship among Norwegian firms in different industries, thus filling a gap in similar research conducted in other European countries.

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