Denna kvalitativa studie syftar till att få en djupare förståelse för hur små- till medelstora företag inom fordonsindustrin arbetar med Working Capital Management och hur användbara teorier kopplade till rörelsekapital är inom praktiken. Working Capital Management, som på svenska innebär styrning av rörelsekapitalet, syftar till att hitta en effektiv balans mellan rörelsekapitalets olika delar. Datainsamling till studien har skett via primära och sekundära källor, där de primära källorna är intervjuer och de sekundära tidigare empiriska studier samt tryckta källor. Fyra bolag som uppfyllt studiens krav har valts ut där två utav respondenterna var VD för respektive bolag och de andra två ekonomichefer. Intervjufrågorna baserades på den teoretiska referensramen där den empiriska datan sedan sammanställdes. Utifrån den teoretiska referensramen och den empiriska datan analyserades huruvida teorierna stämde överens med samtliga bolag. Slutsatsen av den här studien är att bolagen påverkas mycket av de större aktörerna inom fordonsindustrin vilket styr deras arbete med Working Capital Management. Däremot påverkas de olika mycket beroende på vilka kredittider bolagen har. Bolagen styrs också mycket av andra externa faktorer, där ett dotterbolag är mer styrt från övriga koncernen än vad ett moderbolag är. Slutligen kan arbetet med Working Capital Management ses som en påverkande faktor i bolagens val av finansiering, där bolagens tankesätt ligger mest i enlighet med POT.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-12-04T11:45:35Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Hiroshi_Okamoto.pdf: 532958 bytes, checksum: 28e8509f821abeb5ea0aba7d463a050c (MD5) Previous issue date: 2002-12-09 / The main objective of this exploratory study is to verify if there was improvement in the quality of information in the management of working capital and liquidity of the company by the substitution from Source and Application of Funds to Cash Flow Statement. In the literature review it makes comments on Source and Application of Funds and Cash Flow Statement including history, definition, objetives, elaboration method, emphasizing the importance as managerial tools and making evidence in the cash position and changes in financial position of the company. In this study we are presenting the comparison of Cash Flow and Source and Application of Funds Statement, the internal and external events that influence the cash flow position, many presentation forms of the statement, the economic and financial index as well as a sample of Danish Multinational Company??s Cash Flow Statement with main working capital items in evidence. Finally, this study suggests a new model of statement, merging Source and Application of Funds and Cash Flow Statement, resulting in the Analytical Source and Application of Cash Statement, with its four forms of statement. / Este trabalho tem como objetivo principal efetuar um estudo explorat??rio sobre a Demonstra????o do Fluxo de Caixa e a Demonstra????o das Origens e Aplica????es de Recursos com finalidade de verificar as melhorias na qualidade de informa????o na gest??o do capital de giro e de liquidez de uma empresa. Na revis??o da literatura faz-se uma abordagem sobre a Demonstra????o do Fluxo de Caixa e da Demonstra????o das Origens e Aplica????es de Recursos, contendo hist??rico, significado, objetivos, m??todos de elabora????o, salientando a import??ncia dessas demonstra????es como instrumentos gerenciais que evidenciam o fluxo das disponibilidades e das altera????es na posi????o financeira de uma empresa. Neste estudo apresenta-se tamb??m a compara????o entre a Demonstra????o do Fluxo de Caixa e Demonstra????o das Origens e Aplica????es de Recursos, fatores internos e externos que influenciam a posi????o do fluxo de caixa, as v??rias formas de apresenta????o da Demonstra????o das Origens e Aplica????es de Recursos, os indicadores econ??mico-financeiros, bem como um exemplo de Demonstra????o de Fluxo de Caixa de uma empresa multinacional dinamarquesa com destaques dos principais itens de capital de giro. Por fim, apresenta-se uma proposi????o de modelo, consubstanciando DOAR e DFC, resultando no Demonstrativo de Origens e Aplica????es de Caixa Anal??tico, com as quatro formas de elabora????o dessa demonstra????o.

With the advent of the Municipal Management Finance Management Act, (Act 56 of 2003), working capital issues have been legislatively forced onto managers’ daily agenda. Municipal finance officials have been given a clear mandate to focus greater attention on issues such as debt and cash management and stricter policies relating to short term credit financing. The MFMA allows for the unlocking of the fiscal powers of a municipality to generate its own income. Research objectivesThisresearch is intended as a pilot study that argues greater focus on and improvement of, working capital procedures would assist a municipality to exploit this fiscal capacity. Other objectives include: - Generate greater interest in this topic amongst researchers. - Identify factors that limit the implementing good working capital policy. - Identify factors the affect the income earning ability of municipalities. - Identify possible best practices benchmarking.

We develop a theoretical model based on Tirole (2006) where the nature of large investments, namely capital expenditure, research and development and working capital, affects the financing choice during the investment period. We use a sample comprised by American companies in the 1980-2017 period. We employ several econometric and graphic analyses to test our hypotheses. Our results are robust and consistent with Trade-off Theory predictions. Our model\'s propositions are empirically verified for all cases: (i) In CAPEX projects, firms use equity to finance the initial stages and debt to finance the last stages; (ii) throughout the R&D investment period, firms decrease debt and use equity to finance the project. Additionally, for large working capital projects, we show that firms use internal resources in the initial periods and, then, switch the source to debt, aiming the reduction of the deviation from the target leverage. / Neste trabalho, desenvolvemos um modelo teórico baseado em Tirole (2006) em que a natureza de grandes projetos de investimentos, a saber: CAPEX, Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento e Capital de Giro, afeta as decisões de financiamento durante o período de investimentos. Nossa amostra é composta por empresas americanas e refere-se ao período de 1980 a 2017. Nós adotamos uma série de análises econométricas e gráficas para testar nossas hipóteses. Os resultados são robustos e consistentes com a teoria do Trade-off. As proposições do modelo são empiricamente verificadas: (i) nos projetos de CAPEX, as empresas usam capital próprio para financiar o projeto em seus estágios iniciais e dívida para os estágios finais; (ii) durante um investimento de P\\&D, empresas diminuem seu endividamento, financiando o projeto com recursos próprios externos. Adicionalmente, para grandes investimentos em capital de giro, nossos resultados sugerem que as firmas usam recursos internos durante os estágios iniciais do projeto e, em seguida, trocam a fonte de financiamento para dívida, objetivando a redução do desvio em direção ao endividamento alvo.

We develop a theoretical model based on Tirole (2006) where the nature of large investments, namely capital expenditure, research and development and working capital, affects the financing choice during the investment period. We use a sample comprised by American companies in the 1980-2017 period. We employ several econometric and graphic analyses to test our hypotheses. Our results are robust and consistent with Trade-off Theory predictions. Our model\'s propositions are empirically verified for all cases: (i) In CAPEX projects, firms use equity to finance the initial stages and debt to finance the last stages; (ii) throughout the R&D investment period, firms decrease debt and use equity to finance the project. Additionally, for large working capital projects, we show that firms use internal resources in the initial periods and, then, switch the source to debt, aiming the reduction of the deviation from the target leverage. / Neste trabalho, desenvolvemos um modelo teórico baseado em Tirole (2006) em que a natureza de grandes projetos de investimentos, a saber: CAPEX, Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento e Capital de Giro, afeta as decisões de financiamento durante o período de investimentos. Nossa amostra é composta por empresas americanas e refere-se ao período de 1980 a 2017. Nós adotamos uma série de análises econométricas e gráficas para testar nossas hipóteses. Os resultados são robustos e consistentes com a teoria do Trade-off. As proposições do modelo são empiricamente verificadas: (i) nos projetos de CAPEX, as empresas usam capital próprio para financiar o projeto em seus estágios iniciais e dívida para os estágios finais; (ii) durante um investimento de P\\&D, empresas diminuem seu endividamento, financiando o projeto com recursos próprios externos. Adicionalmente, para grandes investimentos em capital de giro, nossos resultados sugerem que as firmas usam recursos internos durante os estágios iniciais do projeto e, em seguida, trocam a fonte de financiamento para dívida, objetivando a redução do desvio em direção ao endividamento alvo.

<p>This study examines the impact of working capital management on cash holdings of small and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises in Sweden. The aim of this work is to theoretically derive significant factors related to working capital management which have an influence on the cash level of SMEs and test these in a large sample of Swedish manufacturing SMEs. The theoretical framework for this study consists of a treatise of motives for holding cash, working capital management and cash level. From these theoretical findings, two hypotheses are deduced:</p><p>• H1: Cash holdings are negatively related to the presence of cash substitutes</p><p>• H2: Cash holdings are positively related to working capital management efficiency</p><p>The quantitative investigation consists of the statistical analysis – namely comparison of means and correlation analysis – of key figures which are calculated from the financial statements of a large sample of firms. The dataset contains 13,287 Swedish manufacturing SMEs of the legal form ‘Aktiebolag’. Both hypotheses are confirmed by the results. Empirical evidence is presented which substantiates the supposition that the presence of cash substitutes – namely inventory and accounts receivable – entails lower cash holdings. Furthermore, it is confirmed that working capital management efficiency – measured by the cash conversion cycle – is positively related to cash level. The discussion of the empirical findings pays regard to the different subordinate components of both cash substitutes and working capital management efficiency. Implications of the detected findings are highlighted with respect to their potential utility for the achievement and maintenance of a firm’s target cash level.</p>

<p>The ongoing financial crisis which has upset the financial markets of the world since the late summer of 2007 has not left Swedish corporations unaffected. Strategies which can be adapted within the firm to improve liquidity and cash flows concern the management of working capital and cash management, areas which are usually neglected in times of favourable business conditions.</p><p>In this study it is examined how companies have adjusted their liquidity strategies before the crisis started to spread worldwide and a year afterwards, in the beginning of the 2009 when economies are in the middle of the turbulence, still feeling the consequences of the financial crisis and not yet started to recover. Research problem consisted of two main questions:</p><p><em>Do active liquidity strategies have a positive effect on company’s profitability in times of financial turbulence/ economic turbulence? </em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em>Have the importance of key ratios in the measurement of liquidity changed during the time period?</em></p><p>The primary purpose of the study was to evaluate and compare the use and extent of the liquidity practices in two time points. Furthermore, the aim was to measure if the changing of liquidity strategy is related to the profitability measured by return on assets (ROA).</p><p>Sample consisted of companies listed on Stockholm Stock Exchange’s Small and Mid cap- lists, with some restrictions. The quantitative research strategy was employed and data was collected by using telephone interviews and financial ratios from financial statements. Hypotheses tested different aspects of cash management and liquidity practices. Statistical analysis was conducted by using regression analysis of the change scores and profitability.</p><p>Overall findings suggested that the adaptation of liquidity strategies do not have a significant impact on ROA. Only increased use of liquidity forecasting and short-term financing during financial crisis had a positive impact on ROA. Moreover, it was found that the importance of the key ratios monitoring companies liquidity have not changed between the studied time points. Working capital ratio is the most commonly used liquidity measurement and in addition the use of working capital and DIO metrics has increased most during the crisis.</p><p>More frequent monitoring and forecasting on liquidity levels and making more short-term investments can provide gains in profitability Based on the findings the adjustment of liquidity practices is beneficial for the companies, even though benefits are not always directly measurable in profitability. Furthermore, companies are recommended to maintain their focus on liquidity and working capital management in an economic downturn.</p><p> </p>

This study examines the impact of working capital management on cash holdings of small and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises in Sweden. The aim of this work is to theoretically derive significant factors related to working capital management which have an influence on the cash level of SMEs and test these in a large sample of Swedish manufacturing SMEs. The theoretical framework for this study consists of a treatise of motives for holding cash, working capital management and cash level. From these theoretical findings, two hypotheses are deduced: • H1: Cash holdings are negatively related to the presence of cash substitutes • H2: Cash holdings are positively related to working capital management efficiency The quantitative investigation consists of the statistical analysis – namely comparison of means and correlation analysis – of key figures which are calculated from the financial statements of a large sample of firms. The dataset contains 13,287 Swedish manufacturing SMEs of the legal form ‘Aktiebolag’. Both hypotheses are confirmed by the results. Empirical evidence is presented which substantiates the supposition that the presence of cash substitutes – namely inventory and accounts receivable – entails lower cash holdings. Furthermore, it is confirmed that working capital management efficiency – measured by the cash conversion cycle – is positively related to cash level. The discussion of the empirical findings pays regard to the different subordinate components of both cash substitutes and working capital management efficiency. Implications of the detected findings are highlighted with respect to their potential utility for the achievement and maintenance of a firm’s target cash level.

The ongoing financial crisis which has upset the financial markets of the world since the late summer of 2007 has not left Swedish corporations unaffected. Strategies which can be adapted within the firm to improve liquidity and cash flows concern the management of working capital and cash management, areas which are usually neglected in times of favourable business conditions. In this study it is examined how companies have adjusted their liquidity strategies before the crisis started to spread worldwide and a year afterwards, in the beginning of the 2009 when economies are in the middle of the turbulence, still feeling the consequences of the financial crisis and not yet started to recover. Research problem consisted of two main questions: Do active liquidity strategies have a positive effect on company’s profitability in times of financial turbulence/ economic turbulence?   Have the importance of key ratios in the measurement of liquidity changed during the time period? The primary purpose of the study was to evaluate and compare the use and extent of the liquidity practices in two time points. Furthermore, the aim was to measure if the changing of liquidity strategy is related to the profitability measured by return on assets (ROA). Sample consisted of companies listed on Stockholm Stock Exchange’s Small and Mid cap- lists, with some restrictions. The quantitative research strategy was employed and data was collected by using telephone interviews and financial ratios from financial statements. Hypotheses tested different aspects of cash management and liquidity practices. Statistical analysis was conducted by using regression analysis of the change scores and profitability. Overall findings suggested that the adaptation of liquidity strategies do not have a significant impact on ROA. Only increased use of liquidity forecasting and short-term financing during financial crisis had a positive impact on ROA. Moreover, it was found that the importance of the key ratios monitoring companies liquidity have not changed between the studied time points. Working capital ratio is the most commonly used liquidity measurement and in addition the use of working capital and DIO metrics has increased most during the crisis. More frequent monitoring and forecasting on liquidity levels and making more short-term investments can provide gains in profitability Based on the findings the adjustment of liquidity practices is beneficial for the companies, even though benefits are not always directly measurable in profitability. Furthermore, companies are recommended to maintain their focus on liquidity and working capital management in an economic downturn.

The working capital describes the short-term financial position and focus on cash flow and the actual inflow and outflow of money in the company. Working capital is part of the company's financing and consists of the company's current assets and current liabilities. There are resources that are used in the daily activity and can be optimized. The more effective they are in circulation, the higher value they create. The control of working capital is called Working Capital Management and has its basis in the company’s Working Capital Policy. This means that the policy is the decisions and management describes how the company will practice it. Small businesses, which constitute the majority of Sweden's corporate structure, are often totally dependent on their profits to develop and grow. They have in many cases more difficult access to external capital for investment and are therefore dependent on the ability of self-financing and optimization of the capital tied up in business. The study focuses on small companies in the manufacturing sector and examines if the Working Capital Policy has a relationship to profitability. The study concludes that among companies that have an aggressive policy there is no relationship between the Working Capital Policy and profitability. A company that has a defensive policy has a very weak negative relationship between the Working Capital Policy and profitability, and that the relationship may be due to chance. A weaker link between the Working Capital Policy and profitability are found when the entire sample is studied as a single entity without a breakdown between aggressive and defensive Working Capital Policy, this may also be due to chance. A review and analysis of empirical data in the study notes that the Working Capital Policy that companies are using may be a prerequisite for being able to operate rather than a tool to maximize profitability. Approximately the same results have been found in another Swedish study, other results have been found in different countries, but these results may be influenced by how well the structures of the economies of these countries are developed.