Uncertainty in working capital management and firm performance: a COVID-19 perspective

This study examines the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on firms' working capital management (WCM) and, eventually, firms’ performance of 4513 China and 1049 United Kingdom (UK) publicly listed firms. Static panel data analysis was used to achieve the objective of this study. By using the ca...

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Main Authors: Hossain, Mohammad Reyad, Zariyawati, M. A.
Format: Article
Published: Universiti Putra Malaysia 2022
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author Hossain, Mohammad Reyad
Zariyawati, M. A.
author_facet Hossain, Mohammad Reyad
Zariyawati, M. A.
author_sort Hossain, Mohammad Reyad
collection UPM
description This study examines the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on firms' working capital management (WCM) and, eventually, firms’ performance of 4513 China and 1049 United Kingdom (UK) publicly listed firms. Static panel data analysis was used to achieve the objective of this study. By using the cash conversion cycle (CCC) as a proxy for WCM, we discover that COVID-19 has a negative effect on the WCM of Chinese firms. We also found a statistically significant negative relationship between WCM and Chinese firms’ performance. This suggests that when firms are affected by COVID-19 uncertainty, Chinese firms will be compelled to reduce their account receivables, inventory levels, and seek increased credit terms from suppliers. Contrary to Chinese firms, we discover the positive relationship between COVID-19 and WCM for UK firms. Further, the relationship between WCM and UK firms’ performance is positively associated. The greater investment in WCM by UK firms during the COVID-19 period generated a higher firm performance.
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spelling upm.eprints-1025262024-03-13T09:06:29Z http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/102526/ Uncertainty in working capital management and firm performance: a COVID-19 perspective Hossain, Mohammad Reyad Zariyawati, M. A. This study examines the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on firms' working capital management (WCM) and, eventually, firms’ performance of 4513 China and 1049 United Kingdom (UK) publicly listed firms. Static panel data analysis was used to achieve the objective of this study. By using the cash conversion cycle (CCC) as a proxy for WCM, we discover that COVID-19 has a negative effect on the WCM of Chinese firms. We also found a statistically significant negative relationship between WCM and Chinese firms’ performance. This suggests that when firms are affected by COVID-19 uncertainty, Chinese firms will be compelled to reduce their account receivables, inventory levels, and seek increased credit terms from suppliers. Contrary to Chinese firms, we discover the positive relationship between COVID-19 and WCM for UK firms. Further, the relationship between WCM and UK firms’ performance is positively associated. The greater investment in WCM by UK firms during the COVID-19 period generated a higher firm performance. Universiti Putra Malaysia 2022 Article PeerReviewed Hossain, Mohammad Reyad and Zariyawati, M. A. (2022) Uncertainty in working capital management and firm performance: a COVID-19 perspective. International Journal of Economics and Management, 16 (spec.1). 117 - 130. ISSN 1823-836X http://www.ijem.upm.edu.my/vol16noS1/8.%20Uncertainty%20in%20Working%20Capital.pdf 10.47836/ijeam.16.S1.008
spellingShingle Hossain, Mohammad Reyad
Zariyawati, M. A.
Uncertainty in working capital management and firm performance: a COVID-19 perspective
title Uncertainty in working capital management and firm performance: a COVID-19 perspective
title_full Uncertainty in working capital management and firm performance: a COVID-19 perspective
title_fullStr Uncertainty in working capital management and firm performance: a COVID-19 perspective
title_full_unstemmed Uncertainty in working capital management and firm performance: a COVID-19 perspective
title_short Uncertainty in working capital management and firm performance: a COVID-19 perspective
title_sort uncertainty in working capital management and firm performance a covid 19 perspective
work_keys_str_mv AT hossainmohammadreyad uncertaintyinworkingcapitalmanagementandfirmperformanceacovid19perspective
AT zariyawatima uncertaintyinworkingcapitalmanagementandfirmperformanceacovid19perspective