The influence of financial flexibility on firm performance: the moderating effects of investment efficiency and investment scale

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Title: The influence of financial flexibility on firm performance: the moderating effects of investment efficiency and investment scale
Authors: Wei Wu, Chau Le, Yulu Shi, Fadi Alkaraan
Source: Journal of Applied Accounting Research. 25:1183-1202
Publisher Information: Emerald, 2024.
Publication Year: 2024
Subject Terms: N120 - International business studies, investment scale, 05 social sciences, N190 - Business studies not elsewhere classified, investment efficiency, investment decision, N210 - Management techniques, N410 - Accountancy, N100 - Business studies, N321 - Investment, Financial flexibility, N400 - Accounting, 0502 economics and business, underinvestment, overinvestment, N340 - Financial management, N300 - Finance, performance
Description: PurposeFinancial flexibility and investment efficiency are of vital importance in strategic choices at boardrooms, particularly in post-crisis recovery strategies. This study examines the moderating effects of investment efficiency and investment scale on the relationship between financial flexibility and firm performance.Design/methodology/approachThe authors use sample of 10,755 US-listed firms over the period 2010–2021 to examine the relationships between investment scale, investment efficiency, financial flexibility and firm performance. Particular attention is paid to overinvestment and underinvestment.FindingsFindings of this study reveal that financial flexibility mitigates investment inefficiency through reducing overinvestment. Financial flexibility contributes to boost a firm’s accounting and market performance. Additionally, investment efficiency and investment scale have moderating effects on the relationship between financial flexibility and firm performance. However, the influence of investment efficiency is greater than the influence of investment scale. Finally, the authors find that the direct and indirect effects of financial flexibility are stronger on market performance than accounting performance, implying that market is more sensitive to corporate financial policies.Research limitations/implicationsFindings of this study have implications for scholars, decision-makers policymakers, investors and other stakeholders.Practical implicationsThis study has its own limitations due to the sample selection issues, country context and the research model adopted by this study.Originality/valueThe novel contribution to the extant literature is incorporating the influence of investment scale and investment efficiency into the relationship between financial flexibility and firm performance.
Document Type: Article
Language: English
ISSN: 0967-5426
DOI: 10.1108/jaar-07-2023-0192
Rights: Emerald Insight Site Policies
CC BY NC
Accession Number: edsair.doi.dedup.....d6836049a22ff45f218fc28b86fecedb
Database: OpenAIRE
Description
Abstract:PurposeFinancial flexibility and investment efficiency are of vital importance in strategic choices at boardrooms, particularly in post-crisis recovery strategies. This study examines the moderating effects of investment efficiency and investment scale on the relationship between financial flexibility and firm performance.Design/methodology/approachThe authors use sample of 10,755 US-listed firms over the period 2010–2021 to examine the relationships between investment scale, investment efficiency, financial flexibility and firm performance. Particular attention is paid to overinvestment and underinvestment.FindingsFindings of this study reveal that financial flexibility mitigates investment inefficiency through reducing overinvestment. Financial flexibility contributes to boost a firm’s accounting and market performance. Additionally, investment efficiency and investment scale have moderating effects on the relationship between financial flexibility and firm performance. However, the influence of investment efficiency is greater than the influence of investment scale. Finally, the authors find that the direct and indirect effects of financial flexibility are stronger on market performance than accounting performance, implying that market is more sensitive to corporate financial policies.Research limitations/implicationsFindings of this study have implications for scholars, decision-makers policymakers, investors and other stakeholders.Practical implicationsThis study has its own limitations due to the sample selection issues, country context and the research model adopted by this study.Originality/valueThe novel contribution to the extant literature is incorporating the influence of investment scale and investment efficiency into the relationship between financial flexibility and firm performance.
ISSN:09675426
DOI:10.1108/jaar-07-2023-0192