IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/wly/mgtdec/v44y2023i1p473-489.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

The triple‐edged sword of sensitivity of sales, cash flows, and debt to investments: Venture survival and capital investments

Author

Listed:
  • Pankaj C. Patel
  • Marcus T. Wolfe
  • Maria João Guedes

Abstract

Drawing on reliable financial performance data of 192,855 venture‐year observations, representing a total of 66,174 ventures with 8.13% of the ventures failing (5380 ventures), we find that neither sales‐investment sensitivity nor cash‐flow‐investment sensitivity is associated with venture survival. However, debt‐investment sensitivity lowers the hazard of failure. Sales‐investment sensitivity and debt‐investment sensitivity under munificence and dynamism lower the hazard of failure. However, cash‐flow‐investment sensitivity at high levels of dynamism or munificence does not influence the hazard of failure. The effect sizes are small but nonetheless meaningful. The findings have implications for ventures attempting to match performance and capital structure with investment.

Suggested Citation

  • Pankaj C. Patel & Marcus T. Wolfe & Maria João Guedes, 2023. "The triple‐edged sword of sensitivity of sales, cash flows, and debt to investments: Venture survival and capital investments," Managerial and Decision Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 44(1), pages 473-489, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:mgtdec:v:44:y:2023:i:1:p:473-489
    DOI: 10.1002/mde.3694
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://doi.org/10.1002/mde.3694
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1002/mde.3694?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. Patrick Musso & Stefano Schiavo, 2008. "The impact of financial constraints on firm survival and growth," Journal of Evolutionary Economics, Springer, vol. 18(2), pages 135-149, April.
    2. Cassar, Gavin, 2006. "Entrepreneur opportunity costs and intended venture growth," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 21(5), pages 610-632, September.
    3. Thomas W. Bates & Kathleen M. Kahle & René M. Stulz, 2009. "Why Do U.S. Firms Hold So Much More Cash than They Used To?," Journal of Finance, American Finance Association, vol. 64(5), pages 1985-2021, October.
    4. Blandina Oliveira & Adelino Fortunato, 2006. "Firm Growth and Liquidity Constraints: A Dynamic Analysis," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 27(2), pages 139-156, October.
    5. Li, Yuan & Wei, Zelong & Zhao, Jie & Zhang, Chenlu & Liu, Yi, 2013. "Ambidextrous organizational learning, environmental munificence and new product performance: Moderating effect of managerial ties in China," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 146(1), pages 95-105.
    6. DeTienne, Dawn R. & Shepherd, Dean A. & De Castro, Julio O., 2008. "The fallacy of "only the strong survive": The effects of extrinsic motivation on the persistence decisions for under-performing firms," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 23(5), pages 528-546, September.
    7. Guo, Feng & Zou, Bo & Zhang, Xiaofei & Bo, Qingwen & Li, Kai, 2020. "Financial slack and firm performance of SMMEs in China: Moderating effects of government subsidies and market-supporting institutions," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 223(C).
    8. Czarnitzki, Dirk & Kraft, Kornelius, 2009. "Capital control, debt financing and innovative activity," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 71(2), pages 372-383, August.
    9. Michael Adusei, 2022. "The liquidity risk–financial performance nexus: Evidence from hybrid financial institutions," Managerial and Decision Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 43(1), pages 31-47, January.
    10. Christian Linder & Christian Lechner & Frank Pelzel, 2020. "Many Roads Lead to Rome: How Human, Social, and Financial Capital Are Related to New Venture Survival," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 44(5), pages 909-932, September.
    11. Sun, Wenbin & Ding, Zhihua & Xu, Xiaobo & Cui, Kacie, 2020. "Internationalization and firm default risk: The roles of environmental dynamism and marketing capability," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 121(C), pages 142-153.
    12. Pankaj C. Patel & Maria João Guedes, 2022. "Do family firms perform better under financial constraints? Financial constraints, family firms and performance," Managerial and Decision Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 43(4), pages 933-949, June.
    13. Miller, Danny & Le Breton-Miller, Isabelle & Amore, Mario Daniele & Minichilli, Alessandro & Corbetta, Guido, 2017. "Institutional logics, family firm governance and performance," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 32(6), pages 674-693.
    14. Rajesh Kumar Bhaskaran & Irene Wei Kiong Ting & Sujit K. Sukumaran & Saraswathy Divakaran Sumod, 2020. "Environmental, social and governance initiatives and wealth creation for firms: An empirical examination," Managerial and Decision Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 41(5), pages 710-729, July.
    15. Hanssens, Jürgen & Deloof, Marc & Vanacker, Tom, 2016. "The evolution of debt policies: New evidence from business startups," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 65(C), pages 120-133.
    16. Bharat A. Jain & Omesh Kini, 2008. "The Impact of Strategic Investment Choices on Post-Issue Operating Performance and Survival of US IPO Firms," Journal of Business Finance & Accounting, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 35(3-4), pages 459-490.
    17. Gayané Hovakimian, 2009. "Determinants of Investment Cash Flow Sensitivity," Financial Management, Financial Management Association International, vol. 38(1), pages 161-183, March.
    18. Douglas Cumming & Michele Meoli & Silvio Vismara, 2021. "Does equity crowdfunding democratize entrepreneurial finance?," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 56(2), pages 533-552, February.
    19. Holger Patzelt & Rebecca Preller & Nicola Breugst, 2021. "Understanding the Life Cycles of Entrepreneurial Teams and Their Ventures: An Agenda for Future Research," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 45(5), pages 1119-1153, September.
    20. Charles J. Hadlock & Joshua R. Pierce, 2010. "New Evidence on Measuring Financial Constraints: Moving Beyond the KZ Index," The Review of Financial Studies, Society for Financial Studies, vol. 23(5), pages 1909-1940.
    21. Luis A. Rios, 2021. "On the origin of technological acquisition strategy: The interaction between organizational plasticity and environmental munificence," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 42(7), pages 1299-1325, July.
    22. Orlando Curtae' Richard & Jie Wu & Livia Anna Markoczy & Yunhyung Chung, 2019. "Top management team demographic‐faultline strength and strategic change: What role does environmental dynamism play?," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 40(6), pages 987-1009, June.
    23. Shepherd, Dean A. & Douglas, Evan J. & Shanley, Mark, 2000. "New venture survival: Ignorance, external shocks, and risk reduction strategies," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 15(5-6), pages 393-410.
    24. Edson Vengesai & Farai Kwenda, 2018. "Cash Flow Volatility and Firm Investment Behaviour: Evidence from African Listed Firms," Journal of Economics and Behavioral Studies, AMH International, vol. 10(6), pages 129-149.
    25. Delmar, Frederic & Shane, Scott, 2004. "Legitimating first: organizing activities and the survival of new ventures," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 19(3), pages 385-410, May.
    26. Zeki Simsek & John F. Veiga & Michael H. Lubatkin, 2007. "The Impact of Managerial Environmental Perceptions on Corporate Entrepreneurship: Towards Understanding Discretionary Slack's Pivotal Role," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 44(8), pages 1398-1424, December.
    27. Colombo, Massimo G. & Grilli, Luca, 2010. "On growth drivers of high-tech start-ups: Exploring the role of founders' human capital and venture capital," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 25(6), pages 610-626, November.
    28. Vinay K. Garg & Bruce A. Walters & Richard L. Priem, 2003. "Chief executive scanning emphases, environmental dynamism, and manufacturing firm performance," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 24(8), pages 725-744, August.
    29. Armen Hovakimian & Gayané Hovakimian, 2009. "Cash Flow Sensitivity of Investment," European Financial Management, European Financial Management Association, vol. 15(1), pages 47-65, January.
    30. Joan Farre-Mensa & Alexander Ljungqvist, 2016. "Do Measures of Financial Constraints Measure Financial Constraints?," The Review of Financial Studies, Society for Financial Studies, vol. 29(2), pages 271-308.
    31. David O. Obuya, 2017. "Debt Financing Option and Financial Performance of Micro and Small Enterprises: A Critical Literature Review," International Journal of Business and Management, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 12(3), pages 221-221, February.
    32. Bharat A. Jain & Omesh Kini, 2008. "The Impact of Strategic Investment Choices on Post‐Issue Operating Performance and Survival of US IPO Firms," Journal of Business Finance & Accounting, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 35(3‐4), pages 459-490, April.
    33. Do, Hoa & Budhwar, Pawan & Shipton, Helen & Nguyen, Hai-Dang & Nguyen, Bach, 2022. "Building organizational resilience, innovation through resource-based management initiatives, organizational learning and environmental dynamism," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 141(C), pages 808-821.
    34. Aggarwal, Rajesh K. & Samwick, Andrew A., 2006. "Empire-builders and shirkers: Investment, firm performance, and managerial incentives," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 12(3), pages 489-515, June.
    35. Charles W. L. Hill & Thomas M. Jones, 1992. "Stakeholder‐Agency Theory," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(2), pages 131-154, March.
    36. Chowdhury, Sanjib K. & Endres, Megan Lee, 2021. "The influence of regional economy- and industry-level environmental munificence on young firm growth," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 134(C), pages 29-36.
    37. Tom Vanacker & Sophie Manigart, 2010. "Pecking order and debt capacity considerations for high-growth companies seeking financing," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 35(1), pages 53-69, July.
    38. Dimo Dimov, 2010. "Nascent Entrepreneurs and Venture Emergence: Opportunity Confidence, Human Capital, and Early Planning," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 47(6), pages 1123-1153, September.
    39. Dean A. Shepherd, 1999. "Venture Capitalists' Assessment of New Venture Survival," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 45(5), pages 621-632, May.
    40. Coad, Alex & Frankish, Julian & Roberts, Richard G. & Storey, David J., 2013. "Growth paths and survival chances: An application of Gambler's Ruin theory," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 28(5), pages 615-632.
    41. Peter Waleczek & Thomas Zehren & Tessa Christina Flatten, 2018. "Start†up financing: How founders finance their ventures' early stage," Managerial and Decision Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 39(5), pages 535-549, July.
    42. Tom Cottrell & Barrie R. Nault, 2004. "Product variety and firm survival in the microcomputer software industry," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 25(10), pages 1005-1025, October.
    43. Pal, Rudrajeet & Torstensson, Håkan & Mattila, Heikki, 2014. "Antecedents of organizational resilience in economic crises—an empirical study of Swedish textile and clothing SMEs," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 147(PB), pages 410-428.
    44. Pedro Silva & António Carrizo Moreira, 2021. "Foreign and multinational ownership impact on firm exit: A sectoral analysis," Managerial and Decision Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 42(6), pages 1550-1563, September.
    45. Petrou, Andreas P. & Hadjielias, Elias & Thanos, Ioannis C. & Dimitratos, Pavlos, 2020. "Strategic decision-making processes, international environmental munificence and the accelerated internationalization of SMEs," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 29(5).
    46. Cole, Rebel A. & Sokolyk, Tatyana, 2018. "Debt financing, survival, and growth of start-up firms," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 50(C), pages 609-625.
    47. Pierre Azoulay & Scott Shane, 2001. "Entrepreneurs, Contracts, and the Failure of Young Firms," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 47(3), pages 337-358, March.
    48. Kato, Hideaki Kiyoshi & Loewenstein, Uri & Tsay, Wenyuh, 2002. "Dividend policy, cash flow, and investment in Japan," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 10(4), pages 443-473, September.
    49. Ensley, Michael D. & Pearce, Craig L. & Hmieleski, Keith M., 2006. "The moderating effect of environmental dynamism on the relationship between entrepreneur leadership behavior and new venture performance," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 21(2), pages 243-263, March.
    50. Reza H. Chowdhury & Min Maung, 2013. "Corporate entrepreneurship and debt financing: evidence from the GCC countries," International Journal of Managerial Finance, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 9(4), pages 294-313, September.
    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. Pankaj C. Patel & Maria João Guedes, 2022. "Do family firms perform better under financial constraints? Financial constraints, family firms and performance," Managerial and Decision Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 43(4), pages 933-949, June.
    2. Théo Nicolas, 2022. "Short-term financial constraints and SMEs’ investment decision: evidence from the working capital channel," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 58(4), pages 1885-1914, April.
    3. Siepel, Josh & Cowling, Marc & Coad, Alex, 2017. "Non-founder human capital and the long-run growth and survival of high-tech ventures," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 59(C), pages 34-43.
    4. Filipe Silva & Carlos Carreira, 2012. "Measuring Firms’ Financial Constraints: A Rough Guide," Notas Económicas, Faculty of Economics, University of Coimbra, issue 36, pages 23-46, December.
    5. Shepherd, Dean A. & Breugst, Nicola & Patzelt, Holger, 2023. "A founding-team model of creating a venture's culture," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 38(2).
    6. Molinari, Massimo, 2013. "Joint analysis of the non-linear debt–growth nexus and cash-flow sensitivity: New evidence from Italy," Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, Elsevier, vol. 24(C), pages 34-44.
    7. Nusrat Jahan, 2020. "Does Asset Durability Impede Financing? An Empirical Assessment," Carleton Economic Papers 20-17, Carleton University, Department of Economics, revised 07 Aug 2022.
    8. Per Davidsson & Scott Gordon, 2012. "Panel studies of new venture creation: a methods-focused review and suggestions for future research," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 39(4), pages 853-876, November.
    9. Nina Ponikvar & Katja Zajc Kejžar & Darja Peljhan, 2018. "The role of financial constraints for alternative firm exit modes," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 51(1), pages 85-103, June.
    10. Matthew R. Marvel & Justin L. Davis & Curtis R. Sproul, 2016. "Human Capital and Entrepreneurship Research: A Critical Review and Future Directions," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 40(3), pages 599-626, May.
    11. Alfonsina Iona & Leone Leonida, 2018. "Sample separation and the sensitivity of investment to cash flow: Is the monotonicity condition empirically satisfied?," Working Papers 862, Queen Mary University of London, School of Economics and Finance.
    12. Goldenstein, Jan & Hunoldt, Michael & Oertel, Simon, 2019. "How optimal distinctiveness affects new ventures' failure risk: A contingency perspective," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 34(3), pages 477-495.
    13. Robin Döttling & Tomislav Ladika & Enrico Perotti, 2016. "The (Self-)Funding of Intangibles," Tinbergen Institute Discussion Papers 16-093/IV, Tinbergen Institute.
    14. Xin Qu & Majella Percy & Fang Hu & Jenny Stewart, 2022. "Can CEO equity‐based compensation limit investment‐related agency problems?," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 62(2), pages 2579-2614, June.
    15. Falavigna, Greta & Ippoliti, Roberto, 2023. "SMEs’ behavior under financial constraints: An empirical investigation on the legal environment and the substitution effect with tax arrears," The North American Journal of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 66(C).
    16. Schürg, Carolin V. & Bannier, Christina Evelies, 2015. "Corporate investment, debt and liquidity choices in the light of financial constraints and hedging needs," VfS Annual Conference 2015 (Muenster): Economic Development - Theory and Policy 114561, Verein für Socialpolitik / German Economic Association.
    17. Samuel Jebaraj Benjamin, 2019. "The Effect of Financial Constraints on Audit Fees," Capital Markets Review, Malaysian Finance Association, vol. 27(2), pages 59-87.
    18. Eskandari, Ruhollah & Zamanian, Morteza, 2022. "Cost of carry, financial constraints, and dynamics of corporate cash holdings," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 74(C).
    19. Moritzen, Mark Raun & Schandlbauer, Alexander, 2020. "The impact of competition and time-to-finance on corporate cash holdings," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 65(C).
    20. Susan Müller & Alyssa Lara Kirst & Heiko Bergmann & Barbara Bird, 2023. "Entrepreneurs’ actions and venture success: a structured literature review and suggestions for future research," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 60(1), pages 199-226, January.

    More about this item

    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:wly:mgtdec:v:44:y:2023:i:1:p:473-489. 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: Wiley Content Delivery (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/jhome/7976 .

    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.