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The Relationship between Capital Structure and Firm Performance: The Moderating Role of Agency Cost

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  • Amanj Mohamed Ahmed

    (Doctoral School of Economics & Regional Sciences, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Science, 2100 Gödöllő, Hungary
    Darbandikhan Technical Institute, Sulaimani Polytechnic University, Sulaimaniyah 70-236, Iraq)

  • Deni Pandu Nugraha

    (Doctoral School of Economics & Regional Sciences, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Science, 2100 Gödöllő, Hungary
    Management Department, Faculty of Economic and Business, Universitas Islam Negeri Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta, Banten 15412, Indonesia)

  • István Hágen

    (Doctoral School of Economics & Regional Sciences, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Science, 2100 Gödöllő, Hungary)

Abstract

Since it first appeared, agency theory has argued that debt can decrease agency issues between agent and principal and enhance the value of firms. This paper explores the moderating effect of agency cost on the association between capital structure and firm performance. A panel econometric method, namely a fixed-effect regression model, was used to evaluate the above description. This investigation uses secondary data collected from published annual reports of manufacturing firms listed on Tehran Stock Exchange (TSE) during 2011–2019. Empirical results show that capital structure is negatively related to firm performance. Agency cost also has a negative impact on corporate performance; however, in the case of ROA and EPS, the relationship is positive. Interestingly, the findings illustrate that increasing the level of debt can reduce agency costs and enhance firm performance. Moreover, robust correlations are revealing that agency cost significantly affects the relationship between capital structure and corporate performance. These findings provide proof to support the assumptions of agency theory, which explains the association between capital structure and performance of firms. This study provides new perspectives on the relationship between capital structure and firm performance by using data from listed manufacturing firms in Iran; hence, these new insights from a developing market improve the understanding of capital structure in Asian and Middle Eastern markets.

Suggested Citation

  • Amanj Mohamed Ahmed & Deni Pandu Nugraha & István Hágen, 2023. "The Relationship between Capital Structure and Firm Performance: The Moderating Role of Agency Cost," Risks, MDPI, vol. 11(6), pages 1-17, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jrisks:v:11:y:2023:i:6:p:102-:d:1161432
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Teodora Tica & Bojan Matkovski & Danilo Đokić & Žana Jurjević, 2023. "Characteristics of the Supply Chain of Tobacco and Tobacco Products: Evidence from Serbia," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-23, August.
    2. Aleksandra Stoiljković & Slavica Tomić & Bojan Leković & Ozren Uzelac & Nikola V. Ćurčić, 2024. "The Impact of Capital Structure on the Performance of Serbian Manufacturing Companies: Application of Agency Cost Theory," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(2), pages 1-25, January.
    3. Amanj Mohamed Ahmed & Nabard Abdallah Sharif & Muhammad Nawzad Ali & István Hágen, 2023. "Effect of Firm Size on the Association between Capital Structure and Profitability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(14), pages 1-17, July.
    4. M N, Nikhil & S Shenoy, Sandeep & Chakraborty, Suman & B M, Lithin, 2023. "Is the Nexus Between Capital Structure and Firm Performance Asymmetric? An Emerging Market Perspective," MPRA Paper 119669, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised 17 Nov 2023.
    5. Imani Mokhtar & Ismah Osman & Fatimah Setapa & Nur Afizah Muhamad Arifin & Roslina Mohamad Shafi & Ruhaini Muda, 2023. "Capital Structure–Firm Performance Nexus: The Moderating Effect of Board Independence," Information Management and Business Review, AMH International, vol. 15(4), pages 38-47.

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