IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/finlet/v75y2025ics1544612325000650.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Does increased digital transformation decrease corporate cash holdings? The moderating role of business environment quality

Author

Listed:
  • Van, Huong Vu
  • Kim, Cuong Ly

Abstract

Despite the growing impact of digital transformation on firms' financial performance, its effect on corporate cash holdings remains underexplored. This study addresses this research gap by investigating the relationship between digital transformation and corporate cash holdings in Vietnam. The findings, based on microeconometric analysis of Vietnamese-listed firms, indicate that digital transformation reduces corporate cash holdings. However, this effect diminishes when considering the moderating role of business environment quality. These results highlight that digital transformation policies alone may be insufficient to address excessive corporate cash holdings without concurrent improvements in the quality of the business environment.

Suggested Citation

  • Van, Huong Vu & Kim, Cuong Ly, 2025. "Does increased digital transformation decrease corporate cash holdings? The moderating role of business environment quality," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 75(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:finlet:v:75:y:2025:i:c:s1544612325000650
    DOI: 10.1016/j.frl.2025.106800
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1544612325000650
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.frl.2025.106800?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
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Deshmukh, Sanjay & Goel, Anand M. & Howe, Keith M., 2021. "Do CEO beliefs affect corporate cash holdings?," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 67(C).
    2. Pengpeng Yue & Aslihan Gizem Korkmaz & Zhichao Yin & Haigang Zhou, 2022. "The rise of digital finance: Financial inclusion or debt trap," Papers 2201.09221, arXiv.org.
    3. Liang, Peng & Liang, Lin & Tang, Xinhui, 2024. "The impact of digital-oriented mergers and acquisitions on enterprise labor demand," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 96(PB).
    4. Chen, Hanwen & Yang, Daoguang & Zhang, Joseph H. & Zhou, Haiyan, 2020. "Internal controls, risk management, and cash holdings," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 64(C).
    5. Guo, Xiaochuan & Li, Mengmeng & Wang, Yanlin & Mardani, Abbas, 2023. "Does digital transformation improve the firm’s performance? From the perspective of digitalization paradox and managerial myopia," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 163(C).
    6. Aktas, Nihat & Louca, Christodoulos & Petmezas, Dimitris, 2019. "CEO overconfidence and the value of corporate cash holdings," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 54(C), pages 85-106.
    7. Nguyen, Thuy Thu & van Dijk, Mathijs A., 2012. "Corruption, growth, and governance: Private vs. state-owned firms in Vietnam," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 36(11), pages 2935-2948.
    8. Roberts, Michael R. & Whited, Toni M., 2013. "Endogeneity in Empirical Corporate Finance1," Handbook of the Economics of Finance, in: G.M. Constantinides & M. Harris & R. M. Stulz (ed.), Handbook of the Economics of Finance, volume 2, chapter 0, pages 493-572, Elsevier.
    9. Paul C. Tetlock & Maytal Saar‐Tsechansky & Sofus Macskassy, 2008. "More Than Words: Quantifying Language to Measure Firms' Fundamentals," Journal of Finance, American Finance Association, vol. 63(3), pages 1437-1467, June.
    10. Wu, Keping & Fu, Yumei & Kong, Dongmin, 2022. "Does the digital transformation of enterprises affect stock price crash risk?," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 48(C).
    11. Huong Vu & Tuyen Quang Tran & Tuan Nguyen & Steven Lim, 2018. "Corruption, Types of Corruption and Firm Financial Performance: New Evidence from a Transitional Economy," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 148(4), pages 847-858, April.
    12. Ye, Xiang & Yue, Pengpeng, 2024. "What matters to reshaping consumption patterns in China? Digital inclusion and supply chain," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 59(C).
    13. Yue, Pengpeng & Korkmaz, Aslihan Gizem & Yin, Zhichao & Zhou, Haigang, 2022. "The rise of digital finance: Financial inclusion or debt trap?," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 47(PA).
    14. Zhou, Linjiang & Shi, Xiaochuan & Bao, Yaxiong & Gao, Lihua & Ma, Chao, 2023. "Explainable artificial intelligence for digital finance and consumption upgrading," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 58(PC).
    15. Matt, C. & Hess, Thomas & Benlian, Alexander, 2015. "Digital Transformation Strategies," Publications of Darmstadt Technical University, Institute for Business Studies (BWL) 75002, Darmstadt Technical University, Department of Business Administration, Economics and Law, Institute for Business Studies (BWL).
    16. Vu, Dung Anh & Van Nguyen, Thinh & Nhu, Quang Minh & Tran, Tuyen Quang, 2024. "Does increased digital transformation promote a firm's financial performance? New insights from the quantile approach," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 64(C).
    17. repec:bla:jfinan:v:59:y:2004:i:4:p:1777-1804 is not listed on IDEAS
    18. Christian Matt & Thomas Hess & Alexander Benlian, 2015. "Digital Transformation Strategies," Business & Information Systems Engineering: The International Journal of WIRTSCHAFTSINFORMATIK, Springer;Gesellschaft für Informatik e.V. (GI), vol. 57(5), pages 339-343, October.
    19. Zhai, Huayun & Yang, Min & Chan, Kam C., 2022. "Does digital transformation enhance a firm's performance? Evidence from China," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 68(C).
    20. Mufaddal Baxamusa & Abu Jalal, 2014. "The effects of corruption on capital structure: when does it matter?," Journal of Developing Areas, Tennessee State University, College of Business, vol. 48(1), pages 315-335, January-M.
    21. Wintoki, M. Babajide & Linck, James S. & Netter, Jeffry M., 2012. "Endogeneity and the dynamics of internal corporate governance," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 105(3), pages 581-606.
    22. Thakur, Bhanu Pratap Singh & Kannadhasan, M., 2019. "Corruption and cash holdings: Evidence from emerging market economies," Emerging Markets Review, Elsevier, vol. 38(C), pages 1-17.
    23. Zhang, Dongyang & Bai, Dingchuan & Wang, Cao & He, Yurun, 2024. "Distribution dynamics and quantile dynamic convergence of the digital economy: Prefecture-level evidence in China," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 95(PA).
    24. Jaemin Lim & Sang Cheol Lee, 2019. "Relationship Between the Characteristics of CEOs and Excess Cash Holdings of Firms," Emerging Markets Finance and Trade, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 55(5), pages 1069-1090, April.
    25. Matt, C. & Hess, Thomas & Benlian, Alexander, 2015. "Digital Transformation Strategies," Publications of Darmstadt Technical University, Institute for Business Studies (BWL) 75202, Darmstadt Technical University, Department of Business Administration, Economics and Law, Institute for Business Studies (BWL).
    26. Wen, Huwei & Zhong, Qiming & Lee, Chien-Chiang, 2022. "Digitalization, competition strategy and corporate innovation: Evidence from Chinese manufacturing listed companies," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 82(C).
    27. Tian, Guangning & Li, Bo & Cheng, Yue, 2022. "Does digital transformation matter for corporate risk-taking?," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 49(C).
    28. Yang, Yingya & Jin, Yifei & Xue, Qinyuan, 2024. "How does digital transformation affect corporate total factor productivity?," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 67(PB).
    29. Tim Loughran & Bill Mcdonald, 2011. "When Is a Liability Not a Liability? Textual Analysis, Dictionaries, and 10‐Ks," Journal of Finance, American Finance Association, vol. 66(1), pages 35-65, February.
    30. Chen, Yenn-Ru & Ho, Keng-Yu & Yeh, Chia-Wei, 2020. "CEO overconfidence and corporate cash holdings," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 62(C).
    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. Changling Sun & Ziang Lin & Marek Vochozka & Zuzana Vincúrová, 2022. "Digital transformation and corporate cash holdings in China’s A-share listed companies," Oeconomia Copernicana, Institute of Economic Research, vol. 13(4), pages 1081-1116, December.
    2. Li, Yunxian & Li, Fen, 2025. "Digital economy, the income gap, and regional crime rates in China," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 75(C).
    3. Jie, Honglan & Gooi, Leong Mow & Lou, Yanchun, 2025. "Digital maturity, dynamic capabilities and innovation performance in high-tech SMEs," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 99(C).
    4. Li, Xiaoqi & Zhu, Siyi, 2025. "How digital transformation can affect corporate technology innovation: The role of income gap," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 75(C).
    5. Li, Yuantian & Xu, Haoyu & Li, Huiru & Xu, Yingming, 2025. "Digital economy, environmental regulations, and green economic development," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 75(C).
    6. Wang, Wei & Cao, QiangYuan & Li, Zhouyang & Zhu, JinYing, 2025. "Digital transformation and corporate environmental performance," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 76(C).
    7. Li, Haibo & Xiao, Biyun, 2025. "Strengthening provincial export resilience through the digital economy: Analysis of impacts, global value chain integration, and regional disparities in China," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 76(C).
    8. Ren, Yu & Liu, Xiongfei & Zhu, Yi, 2025. "Can the development of digital finance and information transparency improve enterprise investment efficiency?," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 73(C).
    9. Li, Fan, 2025. "Pledge of controlling shareholder's equity, digital transformation, and green innovation," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 76(C).
    10. Liang, Guibao & Xia, Qiao & Zhang, Lijie, 2025. "Nonlinear influence of digital finance on green economic efficiency," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 101(C).
    11. Xing, Manjiang & Gong, Chi & Moon, Gyu-Hyen & Ge, Xiaohong, 2025. "Digital economy, dual innovation capability and enterprise labor productivity," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 101(C).
    12. Cui, Kai & Yang, Wen, 2025. "The digital economy and the resilience of enterprise exports: Supply chain stability as a mediator," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 73(C).
    13. Liu, Yuanyuan & Liu, Qianqian & Wei, Yanqiu, 2025. "Digital finance, internal control, and audit quality," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 76(C).
    14. Ding, Qiaoying & He, Wensheng & Deng, Yanfang, 2025. "Can tax reduction incentive policy promote corporate digital and intelligent transformation?," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 99(C).
    15. Liu, Jintao & Wang, Xiuhai, 2025. "Exploring the driving effect of the digital economy on rural labor force's occupational transformation: Based on analysis of CFPS panel data," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 101(C).
    16. Zhang, Qixin & Xiang, Zhiqiang & Xiang, Zhiguo, 2025. "New media supervision, digital transformation, and corporate green investment," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 76(C).
    17. Song, Dandan & Tan, Zhidong & Wang, Wei & Zhai, Rui-Xiang, 2025. "Digital transformation and corporate social responsibility engagement: Evidence from China," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 97(C).
    18. Liu, Dongming & Tu, Yongqian & Chen, Zhangzhang & Zheng, Yinglong, 2025. "Analysis of the synergistic effect of digital financial inclusion and social security on crime governance based on regional differences," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 98(C).
    19. Hu, Siyang & Liu, Dongyang, 2025. "Digital economy, financial literacy, and financial risk-taking in rural households," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 98(C).
    20. Zhang, Yujin & Ye, Shujun & Liu, Jie & Zhang, Lulu & Li, Jiayi, 2025. "Can digital transformation of commercial banks reduce green credit risks?," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 99(C).

    More about this item

    Keywords

    Digital transformation; Cash holdings; Business environment quality;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G39 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Other
    • G34 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Mergers; Acquisitions; Restructuring; Corporate Governance
    • O33 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes

    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:eee:finlet:v:75:y:2025:i:c:s1544612325000650. 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: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/locate/frl .

    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.