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Inventories, sales uncertainty, and financial strength

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  • Caglayan, Mustafa
  • Maioli, Sara
  • Mateut, Simona

Abstract

We investigate the empirical linkages between sales uncertainty and firms’ inventory investment behavior while controlling for firms’ financial strength. Using large panels of manufacturing firms from several European countries we find that higher sales uncertainty leads to larger stocks of inventories. We also identify an indirect effect of sales uncertainty on inventory accumulation through the financial strength of firms. Our results provide evidence that financial strength mitigates the adverse effects of uncertainty.

Suggested Citation

  • Caglayan, Mustafa & Maioli, Sara & Mateut, Simona, 2012. "Inventories, sales uncertainty, and financial strength," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 36(9), pages 2512-2521.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jbfina:v:36:y:2012:i:9:p:2512-2521
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jbankfin.2012.05.006
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    5. Godfred Adjapong Afrifa & Ahmad Alshehabi & Ishmael Tingbani & Hussein Halabi, 2021. "Abnormal inventory and performance in manufacturing companies: evidence from the trade credit channel," Review of Quantitative Finance and Accounting, Springer, vol. 56(2), pages 581-617, February.
    6. Weerawich Roekchamnong & Pongsa Pornchaiwiseskul & Anant Chiarawongse, 2014. "The Effects of Uncertainties on Inventory Management of Petroleum Products: A Case Study of Thailand," International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy, Econjournals, vol. 4(3), pages 380-390.
    7. Chun Lu & James Routledge & Kam C. Chan & Tongxia Li, 2023. "Policy uncertainty and inventory behavior: Evidence from the US manufacturing sector," Economics and Politics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 35(3), pages 919-948, November.
    8. Casalin, Fabrizio & Pang, Gu & Maioli, Sara & Cao, Ting, 2017. "Inventories and the concentration of suppliers and customers: Evidence from the Chinese manufacturing sector," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 193(C), pages 148-159.
    9. Achintya Ray, 2018. "Are Inventories Accretive? Lessons from Inventory and Earnings Relationship in the U.S. Capital Goods Sector," Accounting and Finance Research, Sciedu Press, vol. 7(1), pages 1-40, February.
    10. Vivek Ghosal & Yang Ye, 2015. "Uncertainty and the employment dynamics of small and large businesses," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 44(3), pages 529-558, March.
    11. Huang, Yingshan & Ouyang, Haiqin & Pan, Weihua & He, Xiaogang, 2023. "Role of high-speed rail services in China’s economic recovery: Evidence from manufacturing firm inventories," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 78(C), pages 389-405.
    12. He, Xin & Xu, Xinwei & Shen, Yu, 2023. "How climate change affects enterprise inventory management —— From the perspective of regional traffic," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 162(C).
    13. Iny Hwang & Taejin Jung & Woo‐Jong Lee & Daniel G. Yang, 2021. "Asymmetric Inventory Management and the Direction of Sales Changes†," Contemporary Accounting Research, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 38(1), pages 676-706, March.
    14. Afrifa, Godfred Adjapong & Tingbani, Ishmael & Adesina, Oluseyi Oluseun, 2022. "Stochastic frontier modelling of working capital efficiency across Europe," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 184(C).
    15. Afrifa, Godfred Adjapong & Gyapong, Ernest & Monem, Reza M., 2018. "Product differentiation, market dynamics and the value relevance of trade payables: Evidence from UK listed firms," Journal of Contemporary Accounting and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 14(3), pages 235-253.
    16. Dariusz Nowak & Sławomir Gorczynski, 2020. "A Qualitative Approach to Trade Credit in Business Organisations," Business Management, D. A. Tsenov Academy of Economics, Svishtov, Bulgaria, issue 1 Year 20, pages 25-41.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Inventory investment; Uncertainty; Financial constraints;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D92 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - Intertemporal Firm Choice, Investment, Capacity, and Financing
    • D81 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Criteria for Decision-Making under Risk and Uncertainty
    • F14 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Empirical Studies of Trade

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