The relationship between management ability and investment opportunities with an emphasis on the role of political connection

Purpose: With the expansion of the quality level of activity as well as the widespread development of economic affairs, financial and investment decisions are among the most complex issues that arise in order to obtain the best return and desirability in the best conditions. In this regard, financial managers, given the primary responsibility for these decisions, seek to establish relationships between the factors of the firms in the firm, including investment opportunities. The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between management ability and political connection with investment opportunities. The QT ratio and market to book ratio (MTB) are used to measure corporate investment opportunities. Methodology: Corporate political connection is defined by Fasio's political cost variables and the use of the TOPSIS multi-criteria decision-making models and the Shannon entropy weighting method. In order to test the hypotheses, 116 companies listed in Tehran Stock Exchange during the period 2014-2019 were selected for the sample. Findings: The results of the analysis using the generalized least squares hybrid regression (GLS) method indicate that there is a significant and positive relationship between management ability and investment opportunities in Tehran Stock Exchange companies. There is a negative and significant relationship between political connection and investment opportunities. The political connection also does not affect the relationship between management ability and investment opportunities. Originality/Value: The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between management ability and political connection with investment opportunities. The QT ratio and market to book ratio (MTB) are used to measure corporate investment opportunities.