An Exploratory Study on Trade Credit Management and Firm’s Profitability

Small and Medium Enterprises play a vital role in the growth of an economy by providing employment, contributing to GDP, and promoting entrepreneurship and innovation. Trade credit, in the form of extended payment terms offered by suppliers, can help SMEs access necessary goods and services to run their operations, improve cash flow, and increase profitability. However, there is currently a dearth of empirical research on the connection between Trade credit and SMEs' profitability, highlighting the need for more research in this field. The purpose of the study is to analyze the approach taken by SME businesses to managing their customer receivables and to look into the connection between Trade credit and business profitability. Secondary data from Scopus was reviewed and findings show that trade credit can positively impact the organization's profitability, but poor management can result in decreased profitability. Credit management technique that balances liquidity and profitability is needed for high-level account receivables management

CREDIT MANAGEMENT AND BUSINESS SUSTAINABILITY OF SELECTED BIOMEDICAL FIRMS IN LAGOS, NIGERIA

The main purpose of this research was to investigate the effect of credit management on the business sustainability of selected biomedical firms in Lagos, Nigeria. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can increase their profits through trade credit, a financing arrangement that allows buyers to make purchases on credit terms. However, inappropriate trade credit management has been a challenge for many small business owners, particularly in the biomedical industry in Lagos, Nigeria. This study aimed to address this gap and explore the impact of credit management on business sustainability. The problem identified in this research is the lack of strategies among small business owners to achieve profitability within the first five years of launching their businesses due to inadequate trade credit management. Insufficient liquidity resulting from bad debts and delayed client payments has been a significant factor contributing to the failure of small businesses globally. While previous studies have focused on financing and account payables, there is a scarcity of research on account receivables and trade credit in the context of the supply of goods on credit. The investigation was conducted in selected biomedical firms located in Lagos state. A descriptive research approach was employed, and 162 out of 169 distributed questionnaires were returned, resulting in a high response rate of 95.86%. Statistical analysis using tools such as Statistical Packages for the Social Sciences (SPSS) and SEM-PLS (Structural Equation Model) was employed to analyze the collected data and test various hypotheses. The findings revealed significant impacts of credit management policies on growth, credit risk management strategies on liquidity, customers' creditworthiness on profitability, and trade credit on customer satisfaction. These results suggest that credit management has a significant effect on the business sustainability of the selected biomedical firms. Based on the study's findings, it is recommended that organizations should enhance their credit management policies; organizations need to strengthen their credit risk management strategies; emphasize customer creditworthiness and optimize trade credit practices. Implementing these recommendations will enable firms to improve their credit management practices, drive business growth, and enhance overall sustainability