IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/sae/manlab/v45y2020i4p395-415.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Combination of Ant Colony Optimization and K-nearest Neighbours: The Influence of Working Capital Management on Corporate Performance

Author

Listed:
  • Martha Coleman
  • Mengyun Wu

Abstract

Purpose: This study looked at the influence of working capital management on firm performance using both accounting measure (ROE) and market measure (Tobin’s q ) of firms listed in Nigeria and Ghana. Design/methodology/approach: The study used ant colony optimization (ACO) and k-nearest neighbours (KNN) in establishing the long-term effect of working capital management on corporate performance. Data were extracted from annual financial reports of non-financial companies listed on the Nigeria and Ghana stock exchanges for the recession period 2012–2016, with a total observation of 510. Findings: ACO was applied to determine the working capital management variables that influence corporate performance, and KNN predicted its longitudinal influence, which, in our view, has not been deeply researched. It was discovered that non-financial firms in the period of economic crises manage the account receivables and payables, as well as cash conversion cycles, maintaining optimum working capital for efficient operational activities. It is therefore assumed that these firms are exposed to external and other sources of finance, which enables them to increase investment in working capital, preventing the risk of low production hindering firms from settling debt, as well as customers, leading to the collapse of many firms in this region and accounting for an increase in the unemployment rate. Research limitations/implications: This study will inform corporate management and policymakers on the effect of economic crises on the performance of firms in the management of working capital to achieve desirable accounting and market performance. The ability of a firm to manage working capital during boom and recession periods enhances maximization of shareholders’ wealth. Originality/value: This study will alert policymakers to the urgency in setting up appropriate policies to address pertinent issues regarding longitudinal influence of economic crises on firm continuity and value. JEL Code: M4

Suggested Citation

  • Martha Coleman & Mengyun Wu, 2020. "Combination of Ant Colony Optimization and K-nearest Neighbours: The Influence of Working Capital Management on Corporate Performance," Management and Labour Studies, XLRI Jamshedpur, School of Business Management & Human Resources, vol. 45(4), pages 395-415, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:manlab:v:45:y:2020:i:4:p:395-415
    DOI: 10.1177/0258042X20939025
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0258042X20939025
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1177/0258042X20939025?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Nufazil Altaf, 2018. "Do financial development and law enforceability effect the relationship between net working capital and firm value? Empirical evidence from Asia," American Journal of Business, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 33(3), pages 120-132, August.
    2. Casey, Eddie & O'Toole, Conor M., 2014. "Bank lending constraints, trade credit and alternative financing during the financial crisis: Evidence from European SMEs," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 27(C), pages 173-193.
    3. Aktas, Nihat & Croci, Ettore & Petmezas, Dimitris, 2015. "Is working capital management value-enhancing? Evidence from firm performance and investments," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 30(C), pages 98-113.
    4. Ha Thi Thuy Van & Dang Ngoc Hung & Vu Thi Thuy Van & Ngo Thanh Xuan, 2019. "Managing Optimal Working Capital and Corporate Performance: Evidence from Vietnam," Asian Economic and Financial Review, Asian Economic and Social Society, vol. 9(9), pages 977-993, September.
    5. Ha Thi Thuy Van & Dang Ngoc Hung & Vu Thi Thuy Van & Ngo Thanh Xuan, 2019. "Managing Optimal Working Capital and Corporate Performance: Evidence from Vietnam," Asian Economic and Financial Review, Asian Economic and Social Society, vol. 9(9), pages 977-993.
    6. Ukaegbu, Ben, 2014. "The significance of working capital management in determining firm profitability: Evidence from developing economies in Africa," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 31(C), pages 1-16.
    7. Chen, Chongyang & Kieschnick, Robert, 2018. "Bank credit and corporate working capital management," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 48(C), pages 579-596.
    8. Garcia-Appendini, Emilia & Montoriol-Garriga, Judit, 2013. "Firms as liquidity providers: Evidence from the 2007–2008 financial crisis," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 109(1), pages 272-291.
    9. Li, Leon, 2019. "Is there a trade-off between accrual-based and real earnings management? Evidence from equity compensation and market pricing," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 28(C), pages 191-197.
    10. Doan, Trang & Nguyen, Nga Q., 2018. "Boards of directors and firm leverage: Evidence from real estate investment trusts," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 51(C), pages 109-124.
    11. Miglani, Seema & Ahmed, Kamran & Henry, Darren, 2015. "Voluntary corporate governance structure and financial distress: Evidence from Australia," Journal of Contemporary Accounting and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 11(1), pages 18-30.
    12. Tsuruta, Daisuke, 2019. "Working capital management during the global financial crisis: Evidence from Japan," Japan and the World Economy, Elsevier, vol. 49(C), pages 206-219.
    13. Zhang, Yiyang & Perols, Johan & Robinson, Dahlia & Smith, Thomas, 2018. "Earnings management strategies to maintain a string of meeting or beating analyst expectations," Advances in accounting, Elsevier, vol. 43(C), pages 46-55.
    14. Tsuruta, Daisuke & Uchida, Hirofumi, 2019. "The real driver of trade credit," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 57(C).
    15. Santiago Carbó‐Valverde & Francisco Rodríguez‐Fernández & Gregory F. Udell, 2016. "Trade Credit, the Financial Crisis, and SME Access to Finance," Journal of Money, Credit and Banking, Blackwell Publishing, vol. 48(1), pages 113-143, February.
    16. Enqvist, Julius & Graham, Michael & Nikkinen, Jussi, 2014. "The impact of working capital management on firm profitability in different business cycles: Evidence from Finland," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 32(C), pages 36-49.
    17. Nufazil Altaf & Farooq Ahmad, 2019. "Working capital financing, firm performance and financial constraints," International Journal of Managerial Finance, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 15(4), pages 464-477, March.
    18. Erik Berglöf & Stijn Claessens, 2006. "Enforcement and Good Corporate Governance in Developing Countries and Transition Economies," The World Bank Research Observer, World Bank, vol. 21(1), pages 123-150.
    19. Ciftci, Ilhan & Tatoglu, Ekrem & Wood, Geoffrey & Demirbag, Mehmet & Zaim, Selim, 2019. "Corporate governance and firm performance in emerging markets: Evidence from Turkey," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 28(1), pages 90-103.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Sorin Gabriel Anton & Anca Elena Afloarei Nucu, 2020. "The Impact of Working Capital Management on Firm Profitability: Empirical Evidence from the Polish Listed Firms," JRFM, MDPI, vol. 14(1), pages 1-14, December.
    2. Tsuruta, Daisuke, 2019. "Working capital management during the global financial crisis: Evidence from Japan," Japan and the World Economy, Elsevier, vol. 49(C), pages 206-219.
    3. Garikai Mandipa & Athenia Bongani Sibindi, 2022. "Financial Performance and Working Capital Management Practices in the Retail Sector: Empirical Evidence from South Africa," Risks, MDPI, vol. 10(3), pages 1-17, March.
    4. TSURUTA Daisuke, 2017. "Working Capital Management during Financial Crisis: Evidence from Japan," Discussion papers 17045, Research Institute of Economy, Trade and Industry (RIETI).
    5. Nam, Hocheol & Uchida, Konari, 2019. "Accounts payable and firm value: International evidence," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 102(C), pages 116-137.
    6. Tsuruta, Daisuke & Uchida, Hirofumi, 2019. "The real driver of trade credit," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 57(C).
    7. Tarkom, Augustine & Ujah, Nacasius U., 2023. "Global policy uncertainty and working capital management: Does national culture matter?," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 196(C).
    8. Ajaya Kumar Panda & Swagatika Nanda & Pradiptarathi Panda, 2021. "Working Capital Management, Macroeconomic Impacts, and Firm Profitability: Evidence from Indian SMEs," Business Perspectives and Research, , vol. 9(1), pages 144-158, January.
    9. Pierluigi Murro & Valentina Peruzzi, 2022. "Relationship lending and the use of trade credit: the role of relational capital and private information," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 59(1), pages 327-360, June.
    10. Ahmed Mohamed Habib & Nahia Mourad, 2022. "Analyzing the Efficiency of Working Capital Management: a New Approach Based on DEA-Malmquist Technology," SN Operations Research Forum, Springer, vol. 3(3), pages 1-20, September.
    11. Quoc Viet Pham & Tran Quang Phuc Pham, 2020. "Does Trade Credit Spur Firm Performance? A Case Study in Vietnam," International Journal of Economics & Business Administration (IJEBA), International Journal of Economics & Business Administration (IJEBA), vol. 0(3), pages 215-227.
    12. Tarek Ibrahim Eldomiaty & Mohamed Hashem Rashwan & Mohamed Bahaa El Din & Waleed Tayel, 2016. "Firm, industry and economic determinants of working capital at risk," International Journal of Financial Engineering (IJFE), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 3(04), pages 1-29, December.
    13. Hakim Lyngstadaas, 2020. "Packages or systems? Working capital management and financial performance among listed U.S. manufacturing firms," Journal of Management Control: Zeitschrift für Planung und Unternehmenssteuerung, Springer, vol. 31(4), pages 403-450, December.
    14. Hossain Mohammad Reyad & Mohd Ashhari Zariyawati & Tze San Ong & Haslinah Muhamad, 2022. "The Impact of Macroeconomic Risk Factors, the Adoption of Financial Derivatives on Working Capital Management, and Firm Performance," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-19, November.
    15. Dottori, Davide & Micucci, Giacinto & Sigalotti, Laura, 2024. "Trade debts and bank lending in years of crisis," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 92(C).
    16. Paweł Mielcarz & Dmytro Osiichuk & Paweł Wnuczak, 2018. "Working Capital Management through the Business Cycle: Evidence from the Corporate Sector in Poland," Contemporary Economics, University of Economics and Human Sciences in Warsaw., vol. 12(2), June.
    17. Michael Machokoto & Daniel Gyimah & Boulis Maher Ibrahim, 2022. "The evolution of trade credit: new evidence from developed versus developing countries," Review of Quantitative Finance and Accounting, Springer, vol. 59(3), pages 857-912, October.
    18. Grzegorz Zimon & Dominik Zimon, 2020. "Quality Management Systems and Working Capital SMEs in GPO—A Case of Poland," Administrative Sciences, MDPI, vol. 10(4), pages 1-13, October.
    19. Gonçalves, Adalto Barbaceia & Schiozer, Rafael F. & Sheng, Hsia Hua, 2018. "Trade credit and product market power during a financial crisis," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 49(C), pages 308-323.
    20. Corina Burunciuc & Halit Gonenc, 2020. "Reforms Protecting Minority Shareholders and Firm Performance: International Evidence," JRFM, MDPI, vol. 14(1), pages 1-24, December.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    Working capital management; corporate performance; financial distress firms; non-financial distress firm;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • M4 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Accounting

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:sae:manlab:v:45:y:2020:i:4:p:395-415. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: SAGE Publications (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.xlri.ac.in/ .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.