The Mediating Role of Operating Cash Flow in the Relationship Between Managerial Overconfidence, Firm Value, and Tax Avoidance[نقش میانجی جریان‌های نقدی عملیاتی بر رابطه بین بیش اعتمادی مدیران با ارزش شرکت و اجتناب مالیاتی]

The primary objective of this study is to investigate the impact of managerial overconfidence on firm value and tax avoidance, with a particular focus on the mediating role of operating cash flows. Adopting a descriptive–correlational approach and employing panel data methodology, the study examines financial information from 104 firms listed on the Tehran Stock Exchange over the period 2017–2023. The empirical findings reveal that managerial overconfidence exerts a positive and statistically significant influence on firm value, whereas its effect on tax avoidance is negative and statistically insignificant. Furthermore, operating cash flows are found to significantly mediate the relationship between managerial overconfidence and firm value; however, their mediating role in the relationship between managerial overconfidence and tax avoidance is not supported. Overall, the results underscore the importance of managerial behavioural traits in shaping firm outcomes and highlight the critical role of cash flow management in enhancing corporate value. The findings also provide practical implications for policymakers and regulators in designing effective financial governance mechanisms, as well as for corporate managers seeking to improve decision-making efficiency and organizational performance.