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The present study examines the initial working capital policy (WCP) and its evolution for newly established manufacturing firms.
Abstract
Purpose
The present study examines the initial working capital policy (WCP) and its evolution for newly established manufacturing firms.
Design/methodology/approach
Using panel data of 162 firms over a period of 10 years, the study analyses the persistence-cum-convergence in WCP over the subsequent years through descriptive analysis and difference of means test. Further, the prevalence of ß – convergence, and σ-convergence has been examined using standard least squares regression, dynamic panel analysis and the Wald test.
Findings
The results indicate that sample firms continue to follow the initial WCP in the subsequent years with a gradual convergence in the WCP. Alternatively, the firms with aggressive (conservative) WCP at the time of incorporation will continue following it. Further, the firms with aggressive initial WCP have witnessed higher growth than those with conservative initial WCP.
Research limitations/implications
Findings will assist managers and practitioners to understand the dynamics of WCP over the life cycle of the firm and select appropriate WCP as certain policies lead to certain growth paths.
Originality/value
Though working capital management has been recognized as a critical managerial decision, limited research is available on its evolution, especially for newly established manufacturing companies in an emerging economy. Current research attempts to fill this gap and provide valuable insights for the effective management of liquidity.
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Osama EL-Ansary and Heba Al-Gazzar
This paper aims to investigate the possible non-linear effect of net working capital (NWC) level on profitability for Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region listed companies…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to investigate the possible non-linear effect of net working capital (NWC) level on profitability for Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region listed companies. Furthermore, the study tests the possible interactive effect of cash levels on the relationship between NWC and profitability.
Design/methodology/approach
NWC level is the independent variable and profitability is the dependent variable using two proxies, return on assets (ROA) and returns on equity (ROE). Control variables are size, leverage, gross domestic product growth and sales revenue growth. The generalized method of moments was used to analyze the data of 134 consumer-goods listed firms in 12 MENA countries for the period 2013–2019.
Findings
The results demonstrate that NWC levels had a non-linear effect on profitability using ROA as a profitability proxy while results were insignificant using ROE as a profitability proxy. Furthermore, results show the absence of interactive effects between NWC, cash levels and both profitability proxies.
Originality/value
The study fills a gap in the working capital management (WCM) literature by providing new evidence on WCM’s non-linear effect of corporate performance in the MENA region emerging markets using the consumer-goods industry sample. The study contributes to the financial managers’ working capital optimization efforts in the MENA region by providing evidence on the usefulness of WC optimization efforts in the region from a financial performance point of view. According to the researchers’ knowledge, a few studies attempted to investigate this non-linear relationship for neither MENA region countries nor the consumer-goods industry.
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The study aims to explain the relationship between accounting and finance through measuring the effect of rational working capital management on profitability.
Abstract
Purpose
The study aims to explain the relationship between accounting and finance through measuring the effect of rational working capital management on profitability.
Design/methodology/approach
Employing the methodology of semi-structured interviews with sixteen financial managers.
Findings
The findings pointed out the relationship between accounting and finance is complementary, since it supports the accountant by the critical skills and information, like project evaluation, managing the company funding resources and working capital management. These skills put the accountant up to the financial manager stage. The working capital investment and financing policies have the most significant impact on profitability. These policies related to risk and return theory; since the conservative policy will reduce both the risk and return and the aggressive one will have the opposite impact.
Originality/value
It recommends accountants to be in professional stage and increase the profitability of the company to grab both accounting and finance information and skills.
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Balagopal Gopalakrishnan, Aravind Sampath and Jagriti Srivastava
In this study, we examine whether work from home (WFH) had an impact on firm productivity during the COVID-19 period.
Abstract
Purpose
In this study, we examine whether work from home (WFH) had an impact on firm productivity during the COVID-19 period.
Design/methodology/approach
We employ a panel fixed-effect model using 79,201 firm-quarter observations in a cross-country setting of 68 countries.
Findings
First, we find that firms that employed WFH contributed to real sector growth during the pandemic due to greater capital expenditure compared to otherwise. Second, we find that WFH amenable firms turned over assets better than less WFH amenable firms.
Originality/value
To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to examine the impact of WFH on firms’ investment and efficiency using a cross-country setting.
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Optimal application and commitment toward financial management practices enhance organization performance. This study aims to assess the influence of financial management…
Abstract
Purpose
Optimal application and commitment toward financial management practices enhance organization performance. This study aims to assess the influence of financial management practices on organizational performance of small- and medium-scale enterprises.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected from 45 small-sized and 72 medium-sized firms. Data supported the hypothesized relationships. Construct reliability and validity were established through confirmatory factor analysis. The conceptual model and hypotheses were evaluated by using structural equation modeling.
Findings
The results indicate that working capital significantly influenced organizational performance. Capital budget management significantly influenced organizational performance. A non-significant influence of asset management on organizational performance was observed.
Research limitations/implications
The generalizability of the findings will be constrained due to the research’s SMEs focus and cross-sectional data.
Practical implications
The study’s findings will serve as valuable pointers for stakeholders and decision-makers of SMEs in the development of well-articulated and proactive financial management systems to ensure competitiveness, sustainability, viability and financial competences.
Originality/value
The study adds to the corpus of literature by evidencing empirically that financial management practices significantly influenced SMEs’ performance.
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This paper examines the financial ratios that may have a significant effect on the efficiency in Malaysian listed companies. Nine financial ratios measure seven variables which…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper examines the financial ratios that may have a significant effect on the efficiency in Malaysian listed companies. Nine financial ratios measure seven variables which are firm visibility, tangibility, working capital, leverage, liquidity, productivity and profitability.
Design/methodology/approach
Data are collected from 108 public listed companies in Malaysia. The data extracted from companies' annual reports for three years 2012–2014. STATA software analysis is used to examine these relationships.
Findings
The results show each of tangibility and liquidity have negative relationships with efficiency ratio. In against of that, profitability, working capital and productively positively link to efficiency. Leverage which is measured by two ratios – Debt ratio and Debt equity ratio – shows mix results. Debt ratio shows a positive but not significant relationship with efficiency ratio and Debt equity ratio shows a negative significant relationship with efficiency ratio.
Practical implications
The results benefit companies, investors, economists and governments regulators in Malaysia-to understand the efficiency determinants, so help to make the right decision to enhance the efficiency level in companies which leads to enhance the amount of investments which in turn, enhance the country's economy in general.
Originality/value
This study differs than previous studies number of aspects: first the study covers a three years' period between 2012 and 2014, this period presents the movement of Malaysian current into depreciation with more than 45 percent of its value. Second, in the Malaysia context, this study examines new variables such as firm visibility, tangibility, and productivity. Third, the results of this study will help managers, shareholders, investors, regulators and other parties to make right decisions that will enhance the level of firm efficiency which enhances the investments and the economy of Malaysia.
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The main aim of this study is to highlight the significance of fostering social capital and improving the quality of work life (QWL) for the well-being of healthcare workers. The…
Abstract
Purpose
The main aim of this study is to highlight the significance of fostering social capital and improving the quality of work life (QWL) for the well-being of healthcare workers. The second objective of this research is to address a notable gap in the current knowledge by examining the mediating influence of QWL on the relationship between work-related social capital and life satisfaction within the healthcare profession.
Design/methodology/approach
This study used a cross-sectional research methodology to examine the complex relationships among the variables and included a sample of 330 individuals who are employed full-time in the healthcare profession in the North Indian Region.
Findings
The study confirms all research hypotheses, showing that social capital improves work life. Thus, work-life quality improves life satisfaction significantly. The mediation analysis in this study used bootstrapping to show that work-life quality mediates the association between social capital and life satisfaction.
Practical implications
Addressing social support issues and using effective human resource management tactics can improve employees’ work life and satisfaction. The findings are essential in collectivistic cultures because strong workplace relationships improve professional welfare.
Originality/value
This study differentiates itself by analysing social capital and QWL as multi-dimensional constructs inside the workplace, ensuring the results’ correctness and validity. This study provides a distinct viewpoint for scholars and practitioners, enhancing comprehension of the correlation between life satisfaction and work-related social capital within the healthcare industry.
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Caroline Murphy and Aoife O'Meara
Drawing on Bourdieu's conceptualisation of physical capital, this article explores the experiences of male and female employees in non-traditional occupations where body work is…
Abstract
Purpose
Drawing on Bourdieu's conceptualisation of physical capital, this article explores the experiences of male and female employees in non-traditional occupations where body work is an integral part of the role. Specifically, the authors examine how being an underrepresented gender in this context impacts the experience of work, including challenges faced and perceptions for future opportunities in the role.
Design/methodology/approach
The research is based on two in-depth case studies undertaken in the social care and security/door work sector. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with male social care workers and female security workers in the night-time hospitality sector. Management representatives were also interviewed in each case. The interviews examined how the nature of the work in these roles impacted on the underrepresented gender's perceptions of various aspects of their working lives.
Findings
The findings illustrate how many of the challenges associated with non-traditional occupations are experienced differently in body work roles, either being amplified or instead presenting opportunities for the role holder with implications for the day-to-day and longer-term experience of work. The findings illustrate how the actions and behaviour of management and colleagues can exacerbate the extent to which underrepresented gender feel accepted within their role and organisation.
Practical implications
Organisational decision makers need to be aware of the importance of reviewing practices regarding hiring, promotion and the allocation of tasks and duties for non-traditional role holders engaged in body work.
Originality/value
The article contributes to understandings of “body work” and physical capital in non-traditional occupations, illustrating how gender-based assumptions can restrict individuals in these roles to a greater extent than in other forms of work where the body is salient to the performance of the role.
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Outi Sarpila, Iida Kukkonen, Tero Pajunen and Erica Åberg