Economic downturns and working capital management practices: a qualitative enquiry

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sunday Simon ◽  
Norfaiezah Sawandi ◽  
Satish Kumar ◽  
Magdi El-Bannany
Keyword(s):  
Interest Rates ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Trade Credit ◽  
Capital Management ◽  
Working Capital ◽  
Working Capital Management ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Economic Downturns ◽  
Operational Activities ◽  
The Impact

Purpose This study aims to explore changes in working capital management (WCM) practices in response to economic downturns, especially during the coronavirus pandemic. Design/methodology/approach This study adopts an interpretative approach. This paper used semi-structured interviews with 2 finance directors and 13 top managers for data collection. This paper used thematic analysis for analysing the interview data. Findings The study findings suggest that the traditional ways of managing working capital may no longer be sufficient during a crisis. Instead, dynamic financing, trade credit policy and continuous staff training to develop new skills are alternative WCM practices to navigate the challenges of a crisis. Further, this paper finds that economic conditions, such as inflation rates, interest rates, exchange rates and government policy, negatively affect WCM. Practical implications The study findings highlight practical issues that may help firms meet their present and future financing needs, manage their day-to-day operational activities and enhance performance, both operational and financial. The study is beneficial for regulators in understanding a firm’s constraints during crises and respond appropriately. Originality/value This is the first study, to the best of the knowledge that uses a qualitative approach to investigate the impact of economic downturns on WCM practices of firms. Thus, this study offers new insights into the fundamentals of WCM practices during crises.

Working capital management and firms’ profitability: evidence from emerging Asian countries

2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 80-97 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monica Singhania ◽  
Piyush Mehta
Keyword(s):  
East Asia ◽  
South Asia ◽  
Generalized Method Of Moments ◽  
Asia Pacific ◽  
South East Asia ◽  
Capital Management ◽  
Working Capital ◽  
Working Capital Management ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Impact

Purpose Excessive working capital or paucity of the same can impair the profits and health of an organization. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the impact of working capital management (WCM) on the profitability of firms for a sample comprising of non-financial companies in countries of South East Asia, South Asia and East Asia. Design/methodology/approach Analytical modeling has been used to estimate the impact of WCM on profitability with the help of financial data of the companies listed in major indices of the target countries (India, Pakistan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Japan, China, South Korea and Taiwan). The mathematical model presented in the paper has been tested using two-step-generalized method of moments. Findings The study reveals a non-linear relationship between profitability of a firm and WCM for 11 economies of the Asia Pacific region. Research limitations/implications The results are subject to the differences in the market dynamics of different economies (countries). Moreover, the limitations of the specific statistical method used to verify the model apply to the model too. Practical implications The research can be used as a tool by the firms (global as well as local) to ameliorate their performance by understanding the effects of WCM on profitability in different global markets and adjusting their working capital accordingly. Originality/value The research on the impact of WCM on profitability of the firms of South East Asia, South Asia and East Asia is a new effort and tries to make the importance of WCM more luciferous.

scholarly journals An Analysis of Proposed Framework on Impact of Working Capital Management on the Profitability of Selected Manufacturing Companies Listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange

2012 ◽  
Vol 4 (12) ◽  
pp. 730-736 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yusuf Aminu
Keyword(s):  
Inventory Management ◽  
Business Strategy ◽  
Trade Credit ◽  
Stock Exchange ◽  
Optimal Level ◽  
Manufacturing Companies ◽  
Capital Management ◽  
Working Capital ◽  
Working Capital Management ◽  
The Impact

Working capital management encompasses the overall idea of management of current assets and current liabilities of a business. Whether empirical or conceptual, the discussion have delineated working capital management as that part of business strategy which involves effective management of short term or current assets and liabilities to ensure optimal level and maximization of value. This paper aims to provide an analysis on the concept and propose framework that emphasizes on investigating the impact of management of working capital on the profitability of manufacturing companies listed on the Nigerian stock exchange. The paper proposes four dimensions (variables) as cash management levels, inventory management levels, receivable management, and the trade credit (Accounts payable) as measures of working capital management and the profitability of companies.

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, firm performance and nature of business

2020 ◽  
Vol 70 (1) ◽  
pp. 179-200
Author(s):  
Kumar Sanjay Sawarni ◽  
Sivasankaran Narayanasamy ◽  
Kanagaraj Ayyalusamy
Keyword(s):  
Firm Performance ◽  
Firm Value ◽  
Regression Models ◽  
Age And Growth ◽  
Capital Management ◽  
Working Capital ◽  
Working Capital Management ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

PurposeThis paper aims to investigate the impact of the efficiency of working capital management (WCM) on the performance of a sample of Indian companies and explore how the nature of the firm's business influences the significance and direction of this impact.Design/methodology/approachThe data for this study were collected for the period of 2012–2018 for 414 non-financial firms listed on the Bombay Stock exchange. Fixed-effect regression models were run by taking Tobin's Q and return on equity (ROE) as dependent variables, and net trade cycle (NTC) and its components as explanatory variables in the presence of liquidity, leverage, size, age and growth as control variables. Sample firms were segregated into manufacturing, trading and service groups, and regression models were used for all the groups to understand the effect of the nature of a firm's business.FindingsWCM efficiency has a significant impact on the performance of the sample firms. Non-financial Indian firms deliver better financial performance by maintaining lower NTC. Like NTC, its components also impact firm value and profitability. The results report that the significance of the relationship varies depending upon the nature of the firm's business.Originality/valueThe previous research studies had not used a sample of large number of Indian firms. Unlike previous studies, this study reports the influence of the nature of business on the relationship between WCM and firm performance. Further, this paper also examines how the individual components of working capital influence the performance of Indian firms.

scholarly journals The impact of Working Capital Management on firm profitability in different economic cycles: Evidence from the United Kingdom

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 70 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tiago Gonçalves ◽  
Cristina Gaio ◽  
Frederico Robles
Keyword(s):  
Positive Impact ◽  
Economic Conditions ◽  
Capital Management ◽  
Working Capital ◽  
Working Capital Management ◽  
Economic Cycles ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Economic Downturns ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

Literature shows that Working Capital Management (WCM) affects profitability and liquidity. Economic conditions may stress those relationships, especially during economic downturns. We analyze the effects of economic cycle on the relationship between WCM and profitability, using a sample of UK unlisted companies between 2006 and 2014. We find that WCM efficiency increases profitability. This positive impact is even more important during economic downturns. Our results show multi-level effects of WCM on profitability and liquidity constraints, with varying economic conditions. Results matter economically and managerially and highlight the importance of considering WCM as part of overall corporate financial strategy.

scholarly journals The Effect of Working Capital Management on Dividend Policy: An Empirical Analysis of Listed Firms in Ghana

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
I.N Yakubu
Keyword(s):  
Firm Growth ◽  
Dividend Policy ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Ordinary Least Squares ◽  
Capital Management ◽  
Working Capital ◽  
Working Capital Management ◽  
Financial Firms ◽  
Cash Conversion Cycle ◽  
The Impact

Relying on more recent data spanning 2007-2016, this paper investigates the impact of working capital management (WCM) on dividend policy of listed non-financial firms in Ghana. Specifically, the study assesses the effect of cash conversion cycle (CCC), days inventory outstanding (DIO), profitability, and firm growth on dividend policy. Employing the ordinary least squares (OLS) analytical technique, the findings reported that working capital management (in terms of cash conversion cycle and days inventory outstanding) and dividend policy are positively related, with DIO having a significant effect on dividend policy. The results also established a positive association between the control variables (profitability and firm growth) and dividend policy albeit insignificantly. Based on the findings, the study concludes that working capital management in terms of days inventory outstanding (DIO) is a critical factor influencing firms’ dividend policy decisions.  The study extends the inconclusive empirical evidence on the determinants of dividend policy and fills the lacuna in existing literature by focusing on how working capital management practices influence dividend policy of firms in Ghana. The findings are also useful to the board of directors of non-financial firms in deciding an appropriate dividend policy, and to the shareholders in making investment decisions. 

Efficient working capital management, bond quality rating, and debt refinancing risk

2019 ◽  
Vol 45 (7) ◽  
pp. 869-885 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amarjit Gill ◽  
Afshin Amiraslany ◽  
John Obradovich ◽  
Neil Mathur
Keyword(s):  
Financial Management ◽  
Capital Management ◽  
Working Capital ◽  
Bond Quality ◽  
Working Capital Management ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Data Services ◽  
Management Consultants ◽  
Quality Ratings ◽  
The Impact

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of efficient working capital management (WCM) on a firm’s bond quality ratings (BQR) and debt refinancing risk (RFR).Design/methodology/approachTo fulfill its purpose, this study adopted a co-relational research design. Additionally, the COMPUSTAT of Wharton Research Data Services was used to collect data from American production firms for a period of five years (from 2013 to 2017).FindingsThe results of this study suggest that efficient WCM does, in fact, play a role in improving BQR of American production firms. Furthermore, the findings go on to suggest that efficient WCM plays a very little role in reducing RFR for American production firms.Research limitations/implicationsThis is a correlational study that investigated the presence of an association between efficient WCM and firms’ BQR and between efficient WCM and RFR. However, the two do not necessarily share a causal relationship. Moreover, the findings of this study may only be generalized to firms that are similar to those that were included in this research.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the literature on financial factors that improve a firm’s BQR. Firms should consider maintaining an optimal net working capital as it improves BQR. Moreover, the findings of this study may prove useful for financial managers, investors, financial management consultants and other stakeholders.

Working capital management practices in India: survey evidence

2017 ◽  
Vol 43 (3) ◽  
pp. 331-353 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Kent Baker ◽  
Satish Kumar ◽  
Sisira Colombage ◽  
Harsh Partap Singh
Keyword(s):  
Inventory Management ◽  
Enterprise Resource Planning ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Resource Planning ◽  
Capital Management ◽  
Working Capital ◽  
Working Capital Management ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cash Conversion Cycle

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the working capital management (WCM) practices adopted by Indian firms listed on the National Stock Exchange (NSE). Design/methodology/approach Using a questionnaire, the authors gather data from 110 financial managers and use various statistical techniques to test for statistical significance. Findings The evidence shows that the majority (54.5 percent) of sample firms follow a moderate approach in financing their activities, which involves a trade-off between liquidity and profitability. Respondents tend to use an informal approach for WCM and consider receivables management as the most important component of WCM. In terms of WCM monitoring and financial measures, respondents mainly consider the cash conversion cycle and net working capital. Indian firms tend to use centralized cash management and rely heavily on material requirement planning (MRP) and enterprise resource planning (ERP) for proper inventory management. Research limitations/implications Tests involving firm size, foreign sales, and average age do not differ significantly between the NSE-listed firms and the sample firms. This evidence lessens concerns of non-response bias and the ability to generalize the findings to Indian firms. Originality/value By updating and extending previous research on WCM, this study fills a gap in the literature by providing insights into practices adopted by Indian firms in managing WCM and its components.

Do working capital management practices influence investment and financing patterns of firms?

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahsan Akbar ◽  
Xinfeng Jiang ◽  
Minhas Akbar
Keyword(s):  
Capital Structure ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Capital Management ◽  
Working Capital ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Working Capital Management ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Investment And Financing ◽  
The Impact

PurposeThe present study aims to investigate the impact of working capital management (WCM) practices on the investment and financing patterns of listed nonfinancial companies in Pakistan for a span of 10 years.Design/methodology/approachThe study is based on secondary financial data of 354 listed nonfinancial Pakistani firms during the period of 2005–2014. The two-step generalized method of moment (GMM) regression estimation technique is employed to ensure the robustness of results.FindingsEmpirical testing reveals that: excessive funds tied up in working capital have a negative impact on the investment portfolio of sample firms. Besides, a negative relationship between change in fixed assets and excess net working capital posits that, eventually, firms use idle resources tied up in short-lived assets to boost their investment activities. Furthermore, larger working capital levels were associated with higher leverage ratio which indicates that firms with inefficient WCM policies have to rely heavily on long-term debt to meet their short-term financing requirements. Additional results indicate that firms that take more time to sell inventory and convert receivables to cash, make more use of debt. Results of cash management models illustrate that cash-rich firms have lower leverage levels which signal the strong financial health and internal revenue generation capability of such firms.Originality/valueThere is a dearth of empirical studies that examine the implications of WCM decisions on a firm's capital structure. Besides, these studies are only confined to how a WCM policy influences the long-term investment activities of a firm. The research contributes to the extant literature by empirically revealing a link between the WCM practices and the firm's long-range investment and financing patterns. Hence, financial managers shall account for the impact of their short-term financial management decisions on the capital structure of the firm.

scholarly journals The Effect of Working Capital Management on Dividend Policy: An Empirical Analysis of Listed Firms in Ghana

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
I.N Yakubu
Keyword(s):  
Firm Growth ◽  
Dividend Policy ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Ordinary Least Squares ◽  
Capital Management ◽  
Working Capital ◽  
Working Capital Management ◽  
Financial Firms ◽  
Cash Conversion Cycle ◽  
The Impact

Relying on more recent data spanning 2007-2016, this paper investigates the impact of working capital management (WCM) on dividend policy of listed non-financial firms in Ghana. Specifically, the study assesses the effect of cash conversion cycle (CCC), days inventory outstanding (DIO), profitability, and firm growth on dividend policy. Employing the ordinary least squares (OLS) analytical technique, the findings reported that working capital management (in terms of cash conversion cycle and days inventory outstanding) and dividend policy are positively related, with DIO having a significant effect on dividend policy. The results also established a positive association between the control variables (profitability and firm growth) and dividend policy albeit insignificantly. Based on the findings, the study concludes that working capital management in terms of days inventory outstanding (DIO) is a critical factor influencing firms’ dividend policy decisions.  The study extends the inconclusive empirical evidence on the determinants of dividend policy and fills the lacuna in existing literature by focusing on how working capital management practices influence dividend policy of firms in Ghana. The findings are also useful to the board of directors of non-financial firms in deciding an appropriate dividend policy, and to the shareholders in making investment decisions. 

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