Effect of buyer dependency of subcontracting SMEs on R&D investment

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pyoungsoo Lee ◽  
Sohee Lim ◽  
Hyejin Cho
Keyword(s):  
Linear Relationship ◽  
Business Group ◽  
Firm Level ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Business Association ◽  
Non Linear ◽  
Survey Responses ◽  
Venture Business ◽  
D Investment

PurposeThis study aims to focus on the subcontracting relationship between small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and business group buyers and analyze the effect of the level of buyer dependency on R&D intensity. The primary prediction is that buyer dependency and R&D intensity have a non-linear relationship, showing an inverted U-shaped relationship. Furthermore, the moderating effect of founder CEOs and internationalization is explored.Design/methodology/approachA sample of 546 firm-level survey responses were collected from Korean subcontracting SMEs provided by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups and the Korea Venture Business Association.FindingsA lower level of dependency on business group buyers promotes R&D investment, while excessive dependence reduces R&D investment. Moreover, founder CEOs and internationalization decrease the effect of buyer dependency on R&D investment, implying that both firm characteristics are associated with a long-term focus and promote R&D investment.Research limitations/implicationsThis research contributes to the literature on the special form of the buyer–supplier relationship, that is, subcontracting. Subcontracting has a contradictory effect on R&D investment based on large group buyer dependency, and this relationship is moderated by the founder CEO and internationalization.Practical implicationsThis study provides insights to managers and practitioners governing SME subcontracting by showing that the level of buyer dependency is better managed in promoting innovation, and the long-term perspective allows SMEs to be less affected by buyer dependency.Originality/valueThis study extends the literature by focusing on the non-linear relationship between buyer dependency and R&D intensity of subcontracting SMEs. This approach addresses the contradicting results suggested by prior supply chain management literature and suggests that the level of buyer dependency should be considered when analyzing the subcontracting relationship.

scholarly journals Impact of COVID-19 on the trade of goods and services in Spain

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Asier Minondo
Keyword(s):  
Negative Impact ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Firm Level ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Goods And Services ◽  
Containment Measures ◽  
Trade Of Services ◽  
The Impact

Purpose This paper aims to analyze the impact of COVID-19 on the trade of goods and services in Spain. Design/methodology/approach This paper uses monthly trade data at the product, region and firm level. Findings The COVID-19 crisis has led to the sharpest collapse in the Spanish trade of goods and services in recent decades. The containment measures adopted to arrest the spread of the virus have caused an especially intense fall of trade in services. The large share of transport equipment, capital goods, products that are consumed outdoors (i.e., outdoor goods) and tourism in Spanish exports has made the COVID-19 trade crisis more intense in Spain than in the rest of the European Union. Practical implications The nature of the collapse suggests that trade in goods can recover swiftly when the health crisis ends. However, COVID-19 may have a long-term negative impact on the trade of services that rely on the movement of people. Originality/value It contributes to understand how COVID-19 has affected the trade in goods and services in Spain.

The chief financial officer (CFO) profile and R&D investment intensity: evidence from listed European companies

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gianluca Ginesti ◽  
Rosanna Spanò ◽  
Luca Ferri ◽  
Adele Caldarelli
Keyword(s):  
Listed Companies ◽  
Master Of Business Administration ◽  
Chief Financial Officer ◽  
Corporate Investments ◽  
Firm Level ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Doctor Of Philosophy ◽  
The Impact ◽  
D Investment ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeThis study aims to investigate whether the characteristics of the chief financial officer (CFO) have an impact on the intensity of the corporate research and development (R&D) investment.Design/methodology/approachBased on hand-collected data for the CFOs of a sample of the largest European listed companies for the period 2013–2016, this study uses regression analyses to test empirically the association of CFO education, CFO gender and CFO age with R&D investment intensity.FindingsThe presence of female CFOs, CFOs with a Master of Business Administration (MBA) or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree and older CFOs is positively associated with the intensity of R&D investment.Research limitations/implicationsThis study relies on some observable characteristics of CFOs and focuses on large listed companies.Practical implicationsThe results of this study may help investors, stakeholders and practitioners to understand better which type of CFO characteristics are more likely to result in higher firm-level R&D investment intensity.Originality/valueThis study offers the first insights into the impact of CFOs, as the most prominent C-suite executives, on the level of corporate investments in R&D activity.

scholarly journals Estimating the nonlinear effects of female directors on financial performance

2016 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 97-113 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chen Ming ◽  
Lim Hock Eam
Keyword(s):  
Financial Performance ◽  
Linear Relationship ◽  
Initial Public Offerings ◽  
Gender Diversity ◽  
Nonlinear Effects ◽  
Board Members ◽  
Women Directors ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Return On Equity ◽  
Non Linear

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to identify the non-linear effects of the presence of women directors on the board on the financial performances of Malaysian companies which undertakes initial public offerings (IPOs). This paper also analyzes the impacts of non-executive directors and independent directors on their company performances. Design/methodology/approach This paper traces the effects of gender diversity on the board on the financial performance of a sample of 123 Malaysian companies from the list of 230 companies which have made IPOs and are listed during the period 2005-2012. The multiple regressions (with linear and non-linear specification) are used to estimate the effects of women directors on companies’ performance. Findings The results show that presence of women directors on the board do not purport to have any significant linear or non-linear impact on the financial performance of the companies under reference, except for the companies in the top 80th percentile of return on equity. Similarly, strong evidence is also found when the number of women as board members is more than 15 per cent. Research limitations/implications The findings of this paper suggest that presence of women directors provides a beneficial impact on the return on equity of companies in Malaysia. Therefore, it is suggested that there should be greater participation of women as board members in the country. Originality/value Prior studies tried to estimate linear relationship between the presence of woman directors on company performance. Present study assessed it from three different angles: the sample consists of companies in Malaysia issuing IPOs; possible non-linear relationship is also assessed; and apart from multiple regression, quantile regression technique was also used.

scholarly journals Foreign finance, economic growth and CO2 emissions Nexus in OECD countries

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 161-181 ◽  
Author(s):  
Faris Alshubiri ◽  
Mohamed Elheddad
Keyword(s):  
Economic Growth ◽  
Linear Relationship ◽  
Environmental Quality ◽  
Foreign Investment ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Oecd Countries ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Non Linear ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Threshold Point

Purpose This study aims to examine the relationship between foreign finance, economic growth and CO2 to investigate if the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) exists as an empirical evidence in 32 selected Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries. Design/methodology/approach This study used quantitative analysis to test two main hypotheses: H1 is the U-shape relationship between foreign finance and environment, and H2 is the N-shaped association between economic growth and environment. In doing so, this study used panel data techniques. The panel set contained 32 countries over the period from 1990 to 2015, with 27 observations for each country. This study applied a panel OLS estimator via fixed-effects control to address heterogeneity and mitigate endogeneity. Generalized method of moments (GMM) with fixed effects-instrumental variables (FE-IV) and diagnostic tests were also used. Findings The results showed that foreign finance and environmental quality have an inverted U-shaped association. The three proxies’ foreign investment, foreign assets and remittance in the first stages contribute significantly to CO2 emissions, but after the threshold point is reached, these proxies become “environmentally friendly” by their contribution to reducing CO2 emissions. Also, a non-linear relationship denotes that foreign investment in OECD countries enhances the importance, as a proxy of foreign finance has greater environmental quality than foreign assets. Additionally, empirical results show that remittances received is linked to the highest polluted levels until a threshold point is reached, at which point it then helps reduce CO2 emissions. The GMM and FE-IV results provide robust evidence on inverse U-shaped relationship, while the N-shaped relationship explains that economic growth produces more CO2 emissions at the first phase of growth, but the quadratic term confirms this effect is negative after a specific level of GDP is reached. Then, this economic growth makes the environment deteriorate. These results are robust even after controlling for the omitted variable issue. The IV-FE results indicate an N-shaped relationship in the OECD countries. Practical implications Most studies have used different economic indicators as proxies to show the effects of these indicators on the environment, but they are flawed and outdated regarding the large social challenges facing contemporary, socio-financial economic systems. To overcome these disadvantages, the social, institutional and environmental aspects of economic development should also be considered. Hence, this study aims to explain this issue as a relationship with several proxies in regard to environmental, foreign finance and economic aspects. Originality/value This paper uses updated data sets for analyzing the relationship between foreign finance and economic growth as a new proxy for pollution. Also, this study simulates the financial and environmental future to show their effect on investments in different OECD countries. While this study enhances the literature by establishing an innovative control during analysis, this will increase to add value. This study is among the few studies that empirically investigate the non-linear relationship between finance and environmental degradation.

Working capital financing and corporate profitability of Indian manufacturing firms

2018 ◽  
Vol 56 (2) ◽  
pp. 441-457 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ajaya Kumar Panda ◽  
Swagatika Nanda
Keyword(s):  
Linear Relationship ◽  
Capital Requirement ◽  
Working Capital ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Financial Flexibility ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Indian Economy ◽  
Manufacturing Sectors ◽  
Non Linear ◽  
Capital Financing

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide empirical evidence about the relationship between working capital financing (WCF) and firm profitability in six key manufacturing sectors of Indian Economy. It also aims to capture the change in the financing of working capital requirement over different scenarios of price-cost margin and financial flexibility. Design/methodology/approach The study is undertaken on a sample of 1,211 firms from 6 key manufacturing sectors of Indian economy from 2000 to 2016. The non-linear relationship between WCF and profitability is studied using two-step generalized model of moments (GMM) estimator. Findings The study finds a convex relationship between WCF and profitability among firms in chemical, construction, and consumer goods sectors. Firms in these sectors can finance larger portion of their working capital requirements through short-term debt without negatively impacting profitability. However, a concave pattern of relationship for firms in machinery, metal, and textile industries implies increasing debt financing of working capital requirement would increase profitability for the firms who have financed lower portion of their working capital by short-term bank borrowing. But when a higher proportion of working capital requirements are already financed by short-term debt, a further increase in debt financing may impact profitability negatively. Moreover, the study finds that firms with high financial flexibility and high price-cost margin (except textile) can increase profitability by financing larger portion of working capital requirement through short-term debts and the continuation with risky WCF could increase profitability. Originality/value The study contributes to the literature on working capital in a number of ways. First, no previous study has been undertaken to explore the non-linear relationship between WCF and corporate profitability over a large sample of firms from six key manufacturing sectors of Indian economy. Second, the study uses a quadratic function to explore the non-linear relationship between WCF and profitability. Third, the study explores the relationship between WCF and profitability with respect to the price-cost margin and financial flexibility of firms under different manufacturing sectors of Indian economy. Finally, the study uses advanced two-step GMM, the panel data techniques to handle unobservable heterogeneity and issues of endogeneity within the data sample.

Beyond enforcement: what drives tax morale in Ghana?

Humanomics ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 399-414 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muazu Ibrahim ◽  
Alhassan Musah ◽  
Abdallah Abdul-Hanan
Keyword(s):  
Linear Relationship ◽  
Probit Model ◽  
Model Specification ◽  
Tax Morale ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Economic Class ◽  
Non Linear ◽  
The Government ◽  
Fear Of God ◽  
Employment Satisfaction

Purpose – This paper aims to investigate the determinants of the motivation to pay tax in Ghana. Traditionally, raising tax morale to ensure compliance is often tied to the level of prevailing enforcement. But beyond enforcement, why do citizens pay tax? Design/methodology/approach – This paper relied on the sixth wave of the World Values Survey data in determining the drivers of tax morale. It used the probit model with different specifications to determine robustness of the results. Findings – The findings remain robust to model specification and show a non-linear relationship between age and tax morale. The level of education, marital status, patriotism, sector of employment, satisfaction with democracy and one’s “fear of God” do not matter in tax morale. The economic class of a person per se is also far from being a significant driver and that people are intrinsically motivated to pay tax once they are satisfied with their financial situation, have trust in the government as well as confidence in the parliament. Originality/value – In addition to being a pioneering micro-econometric work on the determinants of tax morale in Ghana, the main contribution of the study lies in its investigation of a non-linear relationship between age and tax morale in Ghana.

Drivers of contract renewal in international B2B services: a firm-level analysis

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 358-376 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Jeremy Williams ◽  
M. Sajid Khan ◽  
Rania Semaan ◽  
Earl R. Naumann ◽  
Nicholas Jeremy Ashill
Keyword(s):  
Product Quality ◽  
Customer Value ◽  
Customer Relationships ◽  
Firm Level ◽  
Industrial Firms ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Contract Renewal ◽  
The Usa ◽  
National Boundaries

Purpose A key issue for B2B industrial firms is to better understand the drivers of customer value and contract renewal decisions, due to the long-term supplier-customer relationships. When the B2B firm is operating across national boundaries, there is added complexity to the renewal decision, because the drivers are also influenced by cultural considerations. The purpose of this paper is to examine the main drivers of customer value creation and contract renewal intentions, for a large B2B firm operating in both the USA and Japan and compare the two data sets. Design/methodology/approach The company, which provided the data for the study, is a US Fortune 100 firm in the facilities management industry, operating worldwide. Data were collected using a survey questionnaire from a sample of the firm’s customers in two of its largest markets, the USA and Japan. The authors used PLS to analyze the data, and compare and contrast the drivers. Findings The findings highlight both similarities and differences across the two countries for the most influential drivers of customer value and contract renewal. Although no differences were found when examining the effect of relational drivers on contract renewal, differences were observed for utilitarian drivers: product quality and price. Practical implications The authors expected the relational drivers of contract renewal to be stronger in the high-context culture of Japan, but found that there were no differences with the US market. While relational drivers are important in the decision-making process in both countries, it seems that managers should focus more on price considerations in Japan. In contrast, product quality is relatively more important in the USA, when negotiating contract renewals with customers. Originality/value Noticeably absent from the B2B services literature is its application to international markets. In particular, research is lacking on the specific drivers of customer value and contract renewal intentions in the USA and Japan, despite the importance of long-term on-going contractual relationships in these markets. This study has provided additional insights into the complex world of contract renewal between international buyers and sellers of large industrial systems.

Determinants of SME growth

2016 ◽  
Vol 39 (9) ◽  
pp. 966-986 ◽  
Author(s):  
Habib Kachlami ◽  
Darush Yazdanfar
Keyword(s):  
Random Effects ◽  
Financial Institutions ◽  
Significant Influence ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Explanatory Power ◽  
Ordinary Least Squares ◽  
Firm Level ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Content Type

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to study the firm-level financial variables affecting the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Design/methodology/approach The study applies a resource-based view to analyze the firm-level as well as industry-level determinants of SME growth. Empirical evidence has also been provided from a data set of SMEs in Sweden to support the hypotheses. For a robust statistical analysis, three models – ordinary least squares (OLS) regression, random-effects regression and fixed-effects regression – are used to examine the influence of explanatory variables on growth. Findings The findings of this study show a positive and significant influence of profitability, short-term debt and size on a firm’s growth across all three models. Results regarding the influence of long-term debt on growth, however, are mixed. While the results of a fixed-effect model show the negative and significant influence of long-term debt on growth, the results according to OLS and random effects show long-term debt positively related to growth. Research limitations/implications This study has been conducted over a period of four years and in the context of Sweden which may limit the generalizability of its results for longer periods and for different contexts. Moreover, the low explanatory power of the models implies the need to also consider other types of variables, such as managerial or socio-economic variables, to better explain the determinants of SME growth. Practical implications Understanding the determinants of growth can be important for policy makers, SME managers and financial institutions. The findings of this study can be used for designing policies which stimulate SME growth. Realizing the financial resources that influence growth can also help SME managers and financial institutions to understand each other’s need for better cooperation. Originality/value This paper applies different models for analyzing large and cross-sectoral data regarding SME growth in the context of Sweden.

scholarly journals Export activity, R&D investment, and foreign ownership: does it matter for productivity?

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos M.P. Sousa ◽  
Ji Yan ◽  
Emanuel Gomes ◽  
Jorge Lengler
Keyword(s):  
Emerging Market ◽  
Time Lag ◽  
Foreign Ownership ◽  
National Bureau ◽  
Firm Level ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Export Activity ◽  
Learning By Exporting ◽  
The Impact ◽  
D Investment

PurposeThe paper examines the impact of export activity on productivity and how this effect is moderated by R&D investment and foreign ownership.Design/methodology/approachA time-lag effect is taken into account when examining the proposed model. Data are collected from the Annual Industrial Survey of the National Bureau of Statistics of China. A dataset containing 117,340 firms across the sample period (2001–2007) are used to test the hypotheses.FindingsThe results indicate that while R&D investment plays a significant role in strengthening the positive effect of export activity on a firm's productivity, foreign ownership surprisingly has a negative moderating role.Originality/valueScholarly interest in the links between export activity and productivity is on the rise. However, the bulk of research has been focused on understanding the effects of export activity on productivity at the country or industry level. Little has been done at the firm level. Another gap in the literature is that the mechanism through which the impact of export activity can be leveraged to enhance the firm's productivity has been largely ignored. To address these issues, the study adopts the learning-by-exporting theory to examine the relationship between export and productivity at the firm-level and how R&D investment and foreign ownership may explain how learning can be leveraged to enhance the firm's productivity. Finally, these relationships are examined in the context of firms from an emerging market, China, which is especially relevant for the learning-by-exporting argument used in this study.

The effect of the Sarbanes–Oxley Act on firm productivity

2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 120-142
Author(s):  
Hsihui Chang ◽  
Helen HL Choy
Keyword(s):  
Capital Investment ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Firm Productivity ◽  
Firm Level ◽  
Content Type ◽  
A Value ◽  
Sarbanes Oxley ◽  
Output Elasticity ◽  
Level Data

Purpose This paper aims to examine the effect of the Sarbanes–Oxley Act (SOX), which was signed by President George W. Bush and came into effect on July 30, 2002, on firm productivity. Design/methodology/approach The authors use the total factor productivity (TFP) as our measure of firm productivity. Findings Analyzing annual firm-level data from the Compustat database for the period of 1991-2006, the authors find that firm productivity increases at a higher rate in the post-SOX period. The results indicate that, although firms incur significant costs in complying with the requirements of the SOX, they also benefit from these requirements as evidenced by the improved productivity over time post-SOX. There is also a shift in the output elasticities from capital toward labor. The SOX has a positive effect on the output elasticity of labor but a negative impact on that of capital. Research limitations/implications The results have the following important implications. The SOX is a value-enhancing regulation in that it not only strengthens a firm’s corporate governance but also improves its productivity. However, compliance with the SOX can impose a long-term cost on firms: the decrease in the capital investment, leading to a decline in the output elasticity of capital. If this decline in the capital investment continues, it can have an adverse effect on firm productivity in the long term. Originality/value This paper extends the literature along the line of the actual operational effects of the SOX regulation by examining its effect on the productivity of firms.

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