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This paper aims to examine the determinants of the dividend policy of the construction companies in India.

Data from 2011 to 2016 (six years) of 45 listed construction companies in India are collected, and a strong balanced panel is created. Dividend per share is dependent variable, and profitability, unstable earnings, institutional holding, cash flow, tangibility, liquidity, growth opportunities, age of the firm, life cycle, leverage, size of firm and taxation are explanatory variables. The panel is tested for stationarity and finally fixed and random-effect panel regression model with robust estimation option is performed.

The random effect model is found fit with an R² of 62 per cent, and profitability, life cycle and size of the firm show a significant positive effect on dividend payment. Cash flow shows a negative significant relationship, indicating the presence of agency problem. Rest of the variables indicated an insignificant relationship.

The study is carried out on a small sample of 45 companies with data of only six years. Further, there may be behavioral and psychological factors that drive the decision to declare dividend. Those factors have not been considered in present study. Despite considerable efforts, the author could not find more studies specific to the construction sector. Hence, the variables identified in the present study are more generic, even though a few sector-specific studies have been included.

The dividend policy determinants for the construction sector in India are investigated, and a comprehensive model based on 12 explanatory variables is tested to find the drivers of dividend payout in Indian construction companies. From the investor’s point of view, the sector has immense potential in terms of dividend as well as capital appreciation. Therefore, the study can be useful to the investors to understand the drivers of dividend payout in the construction sector. It can also be crucial for companies to create an appropriate dividend policy so as to attract and retain investors. The study contributes significantly to the existing body of knowledge by recommending the salient drivers of dividend payout in the construction sector based on a comprehensive dataset and using robust methodology.

The paper aims to identify the critical success factors (CSFs) at an individual level for real estate developers (REDs) in India.

Fifteen individual-level CSFs are identified from literature review. These CSFs are moderated through expert opinion, and they are customized for the real-estate sector. Five-point scale questionnaire is developed and furnished to REDs to understand the importance of these 15 CSFs. Fifty-six REDs responded to the survey. Using the responses from the survey, relative importance index is created for all 15 factors. These factors are also grouped in broad categories using exploratory factor analysis and the groups are further validated through confirmatory factor analysis.

The study finds that leadership quality, man-management skill, disputes resolution skill, ability to take risk and knowledge about construction and finance are the top five CSFs for REDs in India. The exploratory factor analysis resulted in five groups and they are named as “liaising with government,” “relationship management,” “knowledge management,” “skill management” and “ability.” The groups exhibit reasonable reliability and validity.

Despite useful results, study being exploratory in nature is limited because of a small sample size. Despite best efforts, authors find reluctance from REDs to respond to the survey.

The findings of the study are important for REDs and success of their business. The business of REDs can improve if they exhibit leadership quality, man-management skill and disputes resolution skill. The ability of the developers to take risk and their knowledge about construction and finance can also be vital for the success of their business.

To the best of authors’ knowledge, this is the first attempt to identify CSFs for REDs in India.