Does working capital management impact an enterprise’s profitability? Evidence from selected Nigerian firms

Abstract

This study examined the impact of working capital management on the profitability of selected quoted agricultural and agro-allied companies (from 2012 to 2016) in Nigeria. Secondary data were extracted from eighteen quoted agricultural and agro-allied companies in Nigeria, four of which are agricultural companies out of the twenty-three in Nigeria. Descriptive research design and regression analysis were used. Working capital management was measured using the trade receivables collection period, trade payables, payment period, inventory turnover period, and cash conversion cycle, while profit before interest and tax measured profitability. This study found that working capital management and profitability are related to the agriculture and agro-allied sector in Nigeria. The result shows the trade receivables collection period and profitability are negatively related. The result also shows the trade payables payment period and profitability are positively related. The result shows that the inventory turnover period and profitability are related, the cash conversion cycle and profitability are positively related. The conclusion is that working capital management and profitability are related. If the management of firms takes efficient and effective decisions in managing the company’s working capital, all things being equal, the maximization of the firm’s profitability, value, and shareholders’ wealth can be guaranteed. Consequently, agency costs asserted by agency theory would be eliminated automatically. AcknowledgmentAll researchers and non-researchers that contributed to this paper are highly appreciated.

Keywords

• cash conversion cycle
• corporate governance
• inventory turnover
• trade payables
• trade receivables