The primary objective of any corporation should be shareholder wealth maximisation. A firm's working capital policies have an effect on the firm's expected future returns and the risk associated with the returns, which ultimately have an impact on shareholder wealth. Efficient working capital management is a fundamental portion of the overall corporate strategy to create shareholder value. In this study the relationship of corporate profitability and working capital management was investigated. This relationship is examined using regression analysis. A sample of 118 firms listed on the Johannesburg Securities Exchange (JSE) for the period 2003 to 2007 was used. The purpose of this study is to establish whether a relationship exists between working capital management efficiency and profitability, considering the cash conversion cycle and operating profitability of the firm. The results of the regression analysis indicated that a statistical significance exists for three of the five years (2003 - 2005) analysed between profitability, measured with the gross operating profit, and the cash conversion cycle. It is observed (2003-2005 regression results) that a lower gross operating profit is associated with an increase in number of days accounts payable. The negative relationship between accounts receivable and firms' profitability (for 2003-2005) suggests that less profitable firms will pursue a decrease of accounts receivables in the attempt to reduce cash gap in the respective cash conversion cycles. The negative relationship between the number of days inventory and corporate profitability (for 2003-2005) suggests that a sudden decrease in sales accompanied by mismanagement of inventory, will lead to tying up excess capital at the expense of profitable operations. Managers or owners of firms can improve profits for firms by handling correctly the cash conversion cycle and keeping each individual component (accounts receivable, accounts payable and inventory) to an optimum level. These results (for 2003-2005) suggest that managers can create value for shareholders by reducing the cash conversion cycle and its individual components. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2009.

The primary objective of any corporation should be shareholder wealth maximisation. A firm's working capital policies have an effect on the firm's expected future returns and the risk associated with the returns, which ultimately have an impact on shareholder wealth. Efficient working capital management is a fundamental portion of the overall corporate strategy to create shareholder value. In this study the relationship of corporate profitability and working capital management was investigated. This relationship is examined using regression analysis. A sample of 118 firms listed on the Johannesburg Securities Exchange (JSE) for the period 2003 to 2007 was used. The purpose of this study is to establish whether a relationship exists between working capital management efficiency and profitability, considering the cash conversion cycle and operating profitability of the firm. The results of the regression analysis indicated that a statistical significance exists for three of the five years (2003 - 2005) analysed between profitability, measured with the gross operating profit, and the cash conversion cycle. It is observed (2003-2005 regression results) that a lower gross operating profit is associated with an increase in number of days accounts payable. The negative relationship between accounts receivable and firms' profitability (for 2003-2005) suggests that less profitable firms will pursue a decrease of accounts receivables in the attempt to reduce cash gap in the respective cash conversion cycles. The negative relationship between the number of days inventory and corporate profitability (for 2003-2005) suggests that a sudden decrease in sales accompanied by mismanagement of inventory, will lead to tying up excess capital at the expense of profitable operations. Managers or owners of firms can improve profits for firms by handling correctly the cash conversion cycle and keeping each individual component (accounts receivable, accounts payable and inventory) to an optimum level. These results (for 2003-2005) suggest that managers can create value for shareholders by reducing the cash conversion cycle and its individual components. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2009.

This thesis studies the relationship between efficient working capital management and firm profitability, and if the global financial crisis has affected the relationship. Previous literature has presented inconsistent results regarding the impact of working capital management on firm profitability, finding both negative and positive effects. It has also been argued that the global financial crisis has increased the attention of and possibly changed the attitude towards working capital management as a strategy in order to increase firm profitability. In the study, the cash conversion cycle is used as a measure for working capital management, and return on assets as a measure for firm profitability. The sample in this thesis consists of 1170 observations from 78 Swedish listed companies over the time-period 2003–2017. Both multiple regression analysis and an independent-sample t-test were conducted in order to examine the given relationship. The findings of this thesis indicate that firms can increase their profitability by implementing efficient working capital management. However, the global financial crisis has not brought a change in companies' working capital management.

A shift in focus from growing revenues towards managing working capital could be observed in many companies in the recession that followed the financial crisis of 2008. This thesis therefore investigates the relation between working capital management (WCM) and revenue growth by examining 36 Swedish companies within the IT & Telecom, Wholesale, and Manufacturing industries. The results show that there currently is a general gap between the perceived and actual performance regarding WCM and the effects on revenue growth. The studied companies report a belief that no trade-off between WCM and revenue growth exists. However, the actual performance in the studied industries indicates that increases in revenues often are not justifiable in proportion to the increases in net working capital (NWC). The study also shows that responsibility for WCM and implementation of WCM decisions are to a high extent assigned to a centralized organizational level. Recommendations derived from this study are that while companies need a centralized responsibility for WCM decisions, the responsibility also needs to be decentralized for successful implementation. Furthermore, the NWC development in relation to revenue growth needs to be continually monitored.

Выпускная квалификационная работа (магистерская диссертация) посвящена исследованию политики управления оборотным капиталом на предприятии в целях укрепления его финансового положения. Предметом исследования выступают экономические отношения, складывающиеся на предприятии в процессе управления оборотным капиталом. Основной целью магистерской диссертации является исследование теоретических аспектов управления оборотным капиталом, анализ структуры оборотного капитала предприятия ООО «Концепт45» и на этой основе выявление проблем и разработка мероприятий, направленных непосредственно на их решение. В заключении обозначены рекомендации по совершенствованию политики управления оборотным капиталом для объекта исследования. / The final qualifying work (master's thesis) is devoted to the study of the working capital management policy at the enterprise in order to strengthen its financial position. The subject of the research is the economic relations that develop at the enterprise in the process of working capital management. The main goal of the master's thesis is to study the theoretical aspects of working capital management, analyze the structure of the working capital of the company "Concept45" and, on this basis, identify problems and develop measures aimed directly at solving them. In the conclusion, recommendations are outlined for improving the working capital management policy for the research object.

The theoretical and practical importance of working capital management (Sharma & Kumar, 2011) and its strong link with the firm’s financial stability (Wang et al., 2020, p. 2; Kamel 2015, p. 35) make it one of the most important functional areas of corporate finance. Although literature and the corporate world recognize corporate sustainability mainly through corporate social responsibility (CSR), ESG emerged in the recent past and quickly made its strong footfall as an indicator of corporate sustainability. Literature is evident that studies have mainly focused on studying both working capital management (WCM) and corporate sustainability in relation to firm financial performance (FFP), while scant research has assessed the relationship between WCM and corporate sustainability (Barros et al., 2022, p. 1). The primary purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between corporate sustainability and WCM in the Swedish market to fill this gap in the literature and contribute to the existing body of knowledge on the subject matter through its findings, especially with reference to the use of ESG rating scores.  The relationship was examined through the quantitative approach. Sample data was comprised of 418 firm-year observations retrieved from Refinitiv Eikon on 38 firms listed on Nasdaq Stockholm between 2010-2020. ESG rating scores were used to measure corporate sustainability, while two proxy measures; cash conversion cycle (CCC) and working capital requirements (WCR) were for WCM. Stata software was used to find the results of the study by running the pertinent regression models using robust standard errors. Various statistical tests were performed to satisfy all the OLS classical assumptions. The empirical results of our study revealed mixed findings. The findings connected to CCC indicated no statistically significant relationship between ESG scores and CCC which allowed us to conclude that sustainable firms in Sweden do not operate with a shorter CCC (or cash cycle). The findings connected to WCR indicated a significant negative relationship of WCR with the environmental and social score, however no relationship with ESG and governance scores. These results allowed us to conclude that sustainable firms in Sweden are able to operate with WCR (or cash requirements), however, these effects entirely come from the environmental and social pillars, which indirectly implies more sustainable firms can operate with lower levels of debt than their counterparts. Since we found no significant effect from the ESG scores for both CCC and WCR, our findings were partially in line with the shareholder theory, the stakeholders’ theory, and the legitimacy theory we used as theoretical references in our study. The overall findings of our study allow us to suggest sustainable firms in Sweden reconsider their working capital policy decisions to achieve working capital efficiency (a shorter cash cycle) while staying aligned with their sustainability goals.

This thesis examines the relationship between working capital efficiency and firm profitability, and how this relationship is affected by economic fluctuations. In the existing literature, the relationship between working capital efficiency and firm profitability has been extensively researched. However, the impact of economic fluctuations on the relationship between working capital efficiency and firm profitability is sparsely researched. To the best of our knowledge, only Enqvist, Graham and Nikkinen (2014) have addressed the impact ofeconomic fluctuations on the relationship between working capital efficiency and firm profitability. This thesis is a replication of their study in another geographical setting, another time period and studying different types of firms. Using a sample of 2,589 firm-year observations of listed Swedish firms for the years 2000-2015, this thesis conducts multiple regression analysis to examine the relationship between working capital efficiency and firm profitability. The findings of this thesis propose that firms can enhance profitability by improving their working capital efficiency. However, the relationship between working capital efficiency and firm profitability does not appear to be significantly affected by economic fluctuations. This thesis contributes to the existing literature by further strengthening the understanding of the relationship between working capital efficiency and firm profitability. In addition, it also adds to the existing literature on the relationship between working capital efficiency and firm profitability in a Swedish context.

A administração do capital de giro está inserida em um contexto de extrema importância na administração das empresas. Constitui, ainda, uma das principais decisões financeiras, considerando que a administração eficiente desses ativos não pode ocorrer sem a análise simultânea dos reflexos e implicações na administração da empresa como um todo. O presente trabalho constitui um estudo aprofundado da administração do capital de giro a partir de modelos de gestão financeira, com enfoque para o Modelo de Necessidade de Investimento em Giro (NIG) ou Modelo de Fleuriet. O objetivo principal é o de determinar e acompanhar as necessidades de investimento em giro na pequena empresa. Alguns modelos se propõem a analisar itens individuais do capital de giro: a gestão de caixa, dos valores a receber, os estoques e as fontes de financiamento a curto prazo. Outros se propõem a analisar esses itens de maneira integrada: os modelos de Walker; Biernam, Chopra e Thomas; Krouse; Knight; Schiff e Lieber; Sartoris e Hill; Kim-Philippatos-Chung; Fleuriet; Assaf e Silva. O objetivo central de todos esses modelos converge para o mesmo ponto: permitir uma utilização de um nível de risco associado e suportado pela empresa. Do ponto de vista metodológico, este estudo funde dois subtipos de pesquisa a saber: o de multicasos exploratória e a descritiva, apresentando-se como uma pesquisa de campo que descreve e mensura as condições financeiras de pequenas empresas a partir da administração do capital de giro buscando a generalização dos resultados. Foram observados as práticas financeiras buscando elementos e informações sobre o problema estudado. A pesquisa identificou alguns fatores que influenciam na gestão eficiente do capital de giro, como: (1) a formação acadêmica dos dirigentes; (2) a utilização de modelos de gestão empresarial; (3) o processo produtivo sob encomenda; (4) a administração dos estoques. Assim, buscou-se traçar um modelo de gestão financeira do capital de giro, analisando a influência desses fatores na determinação das necessidades de investimento em giro na pequena empresa. A pesquisa foi realizada em três pequenas empresas do setor metal-mecânico em São Carlos, SP. O período de coleta foi de janeiro à julho de 2000. Constatou-se que esses fatores, analisados sob uma realidade empresarial, poderia proporcionar a pequena empresa o equilíbrio financeiro de curto prazo necessário para sua segurança financeira, e imprescindível para sua sobrevivência ou permanência num mercado altamente competitivo. / The management of working capital is part of an extremely important context in business management. It constitutes as welI, one of the utmost financial decisions, considering that the efficient management of those assets cannot occur without the simultaneous analysis of their reactions and implications in business management as a whole. The present work constitutes a deepened study on the management of working capital based on financial management models, focusing on the \"Need of Investing in Working Capital Model\" or the \"ModeI of Fleuriet\"; its main purpose being to determine and folIow the needs of the smalI business to invest in working capital. Some models intend to analyze individual parts of the working capital, like cash management, accounts receivable, inventories and sources of short term financing. Other models, like Walker; Bierman; Chopra and Thomas; Krouse; Knight; Schiff and Lieber; Sartoris and HilI; Kim-Philippatos-Chung; Fleuriet; Assaf and Silva analyze those items as an integrated whole. The main objectives of alI those models converge in the same direction: to alIow the utilization of a risk leveI associated with and bearable for the business. From a methodological point of view, this study combines two research subtypes: the multiple case exploration one and the descriptive one. It is presented as a field research that describes and measures the financial conditions of smalI businesses, based on their working capital management, aiming at the generalization of the results. Financial practices were observed looking for elements and information on the stated subject. The research identified some factors that influence the efficient working capital management, such as: (1) the academic preparation of the management; (2) the use of business management models; (3) the commissioned production process; (4) stock management. Therefore, a model of working capital management was intended to be sketched, analyzing the influences of those factors in determining the need for investing in working capital for the smalI businesses. Three smalI businesses in the metal/mechanic sector in Sao Carlos, SP, Brazil were studied for the research, from Janury to July, 2000. It was conc1uded that these factors, analyzed from a business point ofview, could create for the smalI business the short term financial balance necessary for its financial security and essential for its survival in a highly competitive market.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-25T18:39:45Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 DissertacaoFabioRSLopes.pdf: 2726993 bytes, checksum: 9117835c9f5531f08b0e8c2caa156cbf (MD5) Previous issue date: 2005-09-26 / nenhum / One of the most common problem faced by the traditional accounting is the delayed in generating information for the decision making in the financial area of the company The accounting in being an important part of the Company s information system must contribute for the wealth maximization of the company through the determination and dissemination of information relating to controllership in order to assist managers do direct the activities of the company This dissertation discuss the difficulties of managers of micro and small companies in relation to working capital in order to maintain its financial health This study is justified by the importance of the subject by considering the participation of these small companies in the Brazilian economy since approximately 98% of existing companies in accordance with the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics IBGE is considered in the category of micro and small companies In this sector of the economy that is very difficult to obtain credit we analyze the purchasing inventory and sales policies related to the necessity of working capital through the development of an actual case in a micro Brazilian company / Um dos problemas mais comuns enfrentados pela contabilidade tradicional é a geração tardia de informações para a tomada de decisões principalmente as informações sobre o equilíbrio financeiro das empresas A contabilidade como parte integrante do sistema de informações empresariais deve contribuir para o processo de maximização da riqueza através da identificação e disseminação de informações e de procedimentos de controladoria que auxiliem o gestor na condução das atividades da empresa tanto em momentos de tranqüilidade quanto em momentos de instabilidade e incerteza Esta dissertação aborda as dificuldades enfrentadas pelos gestores das micro e pequenas empresas para a administração de seu capital de giro e para a manutenção de sua saúde financeira de curto prazo Justifica-se este estudo pela importância do tema para a gestão de curto prazo e pela participação dessas empresas na economia, aproximadamente 98% do total das empresas existentes segundo dados do Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística IBGE são consideradas micros e pequenas empresas A administração da necessidade de capital de giro apresenta-se como uma importante ferramenta do processo gestão através da conciliação entre a demanda e oferta de recursos, especialmente para um segmento que carece de fontes de financiamento

Made available in DSpace on 2016-03-15T19:26:02Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Marcos Goncalves Nunes de Moraes Filho.pdf: 270675 bytes, checksum: 2b4652ecf3d141518fe67cf2228dc06a (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-05-09 / Fundo Mackenzie de Pesquisa / The Working Capital Requirement (WCR) is a necessary investment to maintain the operational cycles. There is no specific theory on Working Capital in Brazil and there are few studies on its determinants, especially in small and medium enterprises. This research tests a model based on methodological Hill, Highfield and Kelly (2010) with Brazilian companies, specifically small and mid-size companies in the last decade. The results show differences in the regression coefficients of the reference search, although some empirical concordances. It was found that the variable gross profit margin and size have statistical significance and expected relationship as existing theory. This study contributes to the management of working capital and open opportunities for alternative management. / A Necessidade de Capital de Giro (NCG) é um investimento necessário para manter os ciclos operacionais. Não há teoria específica sobre Capital de Giro e no Brasil há poucos estudos sobre seus determinantes, principalmente em pequenas e médias empresas. Esta pesquisa testa um modelo metodológico baseado em Hill, Kelly e Highfield (2010), com empresas brasileiras de pequeno e médio porte na última década. Os resultados apontam diferenças nos coeficientes das regressões da pesquisa de referência, apesar de algumas concordâncias empíricas. Foi constatado que as variáveis margem de lucro bruto e tamanho possuem significância estatística e a relação esperada, conforme teoria existente. Este estudo contribui para a gestão do capital de giro e abre perspectivas e alternativas para sua gestão.