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Working capital management and firm performance in China

Author

Listed:
  • Ting Ren
  • Nan Liu
  • Hongyan Yang
  • Youzhi Xiao
  • Yijun Hu

Abstract

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between working capital management (WCM) and firm performance in the context of the Chinese economy. Specifically, it investigates the effects of ownership structures as an internal factor and of institutional environments (IE) as an external factor shaping this relationship. Design/methodology/approach - The study applies two-way fixed effect regression models to a sample of Chinese listed manufacturing firms for the period of 2010 to 2017. WCM is measured by cash conversion cycles (CCC); profitability is measured by core profit ratios; ownership structures are classified based on state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and non-SOEs; and IEs are measured from dimensions of factor markets (FM) and legal systems (LS). Findings - First, the results show a negative relationship between CCC and firm performance. Second, the negative relationship between CCC and profitability is significant for non-SOEs but not for SOEs. Third, both the FM and LS strengthen the negative association between CCC and profitability. Fourth, the moderating effect of FMs and LSs is evident for non-SOEs only. The results hold when using alternative measures of WCM and profitability and while controlling for additional variables. Originality/value - The current study shows that while WCM has a significant effect on the profitability of Chinese firms, such an effect greatly depends on the ownership structures and IE involved. The results thus offer important implications in helping the Chinese government create better IEs and in allowing manufacturing firms to improve upon their WCM practices.

Suggested Citation

  • Ting Ren & Nan Liu & Hongyan Yang & Youzhi Xiao & Yijun Hu, 2019. "Working capital management and firm performance in China," Asian Review of Accounting, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 27(4), pages 546-562, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:eme:arapps:ara-04-2018-0099
    DOI: 10.1108/ARA-04-2018-0099
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Sorin Gabriel Anton & Anca Elena Afloarei Nucu, 2020. "The Impact of Working Capital Management on Firm Profitability: Empirical Evidence from the Polish Listed Firms," JRFM, MDPI, vol. 14(1), pages 1-14, December.
    2. Shrikant Krupasindhu Panigrahi & Maryam Juma Al Farsi & Sumathi Kumaraswamy & Muhammad Waris Ali Khan & Faisal Rana, 2022. "Working Capital Management and Shareholder’s Wealth Creation: Evidence from Manufacturing Companies Listed in Oman," IJFS, MDPI, vol. 10(4), pages 1-16, September.
    3. SUNTRARUK Phassawan, 2023. "The Mediating Effect Of Profitability On The Relationship Between Working Capital Management And Sustainable Growth," Studies in Business and Economics, Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu, Faculty of Economic Sciences, vol. 18(1), pages 314-327, April.
    4. Iman Cheratian & Saleh Goltabar & Hassan Gholipour Fereidouni & Mohammad Reza Farzanegan, 2023. "External Financing and Firm Growth: Evidence from Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises in Iran," MAGKS Papers on Economics 202308, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Faculty of Business Administration and Economics, Department of Economics (Volkswirtschaftliche Abteilung).
    5. Jaroslav Mazanec, 2022. "The Impact of Working Capital Management on Corporate Performance in Small–Medium Enterprises in the Visegrad Group," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 10(6), pages 1-19, March.

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