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The impact of operating flexibility on firms’ performance during the COVID-19 outbreak: Evidence from China

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  • Liu, Hao
  • Yi, Xingjian
  • Yin, Libo

Abstract

This paper investigates the effect of firm-level operating flexibility on stock performance during the COVID-19 outbreak in China. We find that firm-level operating flexibility is significantly positively correlated with the cumulative abnormal stock returns that occurred during the event window, and this positive relation is more pronounced in firms in the provinces most affected by the epidemic. This positive relation is also more obvious in firms that have relatively fewer fixed assets. Therefore, our results provide direct empirical evidence that the real options embedded in operating flexibility played an important role during the COVID-19 outbreak.

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  • Liu, Hao & Yi, Xingjian & Yin, Libo, 2021. "The impact of operating flexibility on firms’ performance during the COVID-19 outbreak: Evidence from China," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 38(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:finlet:v:38:y:2021:i:c:s1544612320316226
    DOI: 10.1016/j.frl.2020.101808
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    Cited by:

    1. Silva, Thiago Christiano & Wilhelm, Paulo Victor Berri & Tabak, Benjamin Miranda, 2022. "The role of non-critical business and telework propensity in international stock markets during the COVID-19 pandemic," Journal of International Financial Markets, Institutions and Money, Elsevier, vol. 79(C).
    2. Doruk, Ömer Tuğsal & Konuk, Serhat & Atici, Rümeysa, 2021. "Short-term working allowance and firm risk in the post-COVID-19 period: Novel matching evidence from an emerging market," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 43(C).
    3. Danny Turkson & Nana Boakyewaa Addai & Farhat Chowdhury & Fatima Mohammed, 2021. "Government policies and firm performance in the COVID-19 pandemic era: a sectoral analysis," SN Business & Economics, Springer, vol. 1(12), pages 1-22, December.
    4. Saw Imm Song & Jennifer Tunga Janang & Erimalida Yazi & Fareiny Morni, 2022. "The Effects of Market Strength, Information Asymmetry, and Industrial Characteristics on Malaysian Firms’ CAR During COVID-19 Pandemic," Capital Markets Review, Malaysian Finance Association, vol. 30(1), pages 1-15.
    5. Takashi Kanamura, 2023. "An impact assessment of the COVID-19 pandemic on Japanese and US hotel stocks," Financial Innovation, Springer;Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, vol. 9(1), pages 1-51, December.
    6. Sepúlveda Velásquez, Jorge & Tapia Griñen, Pablo & Pastén Henríquez, Boris, 2021. "Analyzing stock market signals for H1N1 and COVID-19: The BRIC case," MPRA Paper 108764, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    7. Ho, Tuan & Kim, Kirak & Li, Yang & Xu, Fangming, 2023. "Does real flexibility help firms navigate the COVID-19 pandemic?," The British Accounting Review, Elsevier, vol. 55(4).
    8. Ahmad, Wasim & Kutan, Ali M. & Chahal, Rishman Jot Kaur & Kattumuri, Ruth, 2021. "COVID-19 Pandemic and firm-level dynamics in the USA, UK, Europe, and Japan," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 78(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Operating Flexibility; COVID-19; Real Options; Event Study;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G12 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Asset Pricing; Trading Volume; Bond Interest Rates
    • G31 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Capital Budgeting; Fixed Investment and Inventory Studies

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