Financial and Operating Working Capital: Unraveling Obscured Portion of Balance Sheet

ABSTRACT Purpose- The purpose of this study is to provide a new obscured aspect of financial working capital in working capital management, and investigate the association between financial and operating working capital with business performance. This paper also examines the interacting effect of net cash flow on this relationship. The current study introduces a modification in cash conversion cycle (CCC) by taking concealed trade advance payments. Design/methodology/approach- This study employs fixed effect regression model, covering a sample of Automobile sector companies, listed at Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) for the period of fourteen years from 2005 to 2018. Secondary data is collected from companies’ financial annual reports, PSX website, and Balance sheet analysis of State Bank of Pakistan (SBP). The study is explanatory and deductive in nature. Financial working capital (FWC) and new measure of operating working capital (OWC) i.e. modified cash conversion cycle (mCCC) is introduced & empirically tested with 252 firm-year observations. Findings- The regression results shows, a convex association between OWC & FWC, with business performance, in dearth of internal cash. However, after taking interacting effect of internal availability of cash, only FWC relation has become concave. The result also shows that mCCC provides a more realistic view of OWC. Research limitations/implications- This study has considered, concealed trade prepayments only, further research could include other components in mCCC. Moreover micro, macro factors and status of the economy such as depression or boom may also affect the results of the research. The findings suggest that managers should separately deal operating & financial working capital. Firms’ performance can be enhanced, if Finance Manager Take account internal cash of the firm. In case of deficiency (sufficiency) of it, he should work to decrease (increase) the investment amount in operating working capital (financial working capital). Overall, the results will be helpful to the financial experts and business practitioner in analyzing, and utilization of their resources. Originality/value- This study adds a new dimension in working capital by separating it into operating and financial working capital.  The study also offers insights into the new knowledge of extension in CCC, role of concealed advance payments and internal cash flow, for class teachers and business practitioners. It will also describe the new avenues for further research in this field.    Key Words:  Financial working capital, Operating working capital, Trade advanced payments and modified cash conversion cycle (mCCC)

The Impact of Psychological Capital, Supervisor Support and Risk Tolerance in Managers on Innovative Work Behavior

The present study intended to address the impact of positive psychological capital, supervisor support and risk tolerance in manager on innovative work behavior. The study emphasizes on the impression that employees who have positive psychological capital and receives support from their immediate supervisor/manager tend towards innovative work behavior on the job. In addition, employees whose manager allows them to take the risk can manage the external environment. Simple random sampling methodology was used to collect data from 11 private companies consisting of the telecommunication sector, banks and IT sector of Lahore, Pakistan. Findings from 400 employees by applying regression technique revealed that positive psychological capital, supervisor support and risk tolerance in manager have a positive impact on innovative work behavior. Results of the study highlight the importance of inculcating a positive work environment, support of the supervisor, which leads to the competitiveness of the organization. The limitations of the study and future research directions are discussed. Results underscore the importance of considering the direction of the positive work environment

Voluntary Tax Compliance and the Slippery Slope Framework

Purpose__ The research provides an insight in to the most popular debate around the globe about tax compliance. The research focusses on SMEs in premises of Bahawalpur division, Pakistan, by proposing a reliable solution for interstitial gaps existing between tax authorities and compliance behavior of taxpayers. It expands the Fisher model of compliance (1992) and deploys it as a base by adding new variables namely Power of authority, Tax audit and Electronic filing. The data has been statistically analyzed by using SPSS through running test of correlation and regression. Positive correlation and causation were established among variable leads to analysis of data through Ordinary Least Square (OLS), which ratify the role of attitude and perception as moderator in overall relationship. Results show that Power of authority directly influence compliance behavior while other two variables indirectly effects the relationship through moderator, thus nurturing the voluntary behavior of taxpayer. Design/Methodology/Approach___ A research framework has been developed for identifying the effect of different factors which may in boosting up compliance behavior of taxpayers. Quantitative approach was used and data has been collected through Questionnaire from almost 50 SMEs of Bahawalpur Division. Implications___ Policy makers may use the findings of the study to encourage voluntary compliance from the non-tax paying SME. Further study can be expanded by increasing sample size and by gathering detailed information for tax authorities. Originality/Value___ The proposed Model and findings may contribute in paving path for increasing voluntary compliance. Research also emphasize on other factors which should be focused for improvement and could play a  crucial role in compliance

Islamic VS Conventional Commercial Banking: The Resilience Avant-Garde

This paper aims to examine the differences in financial resilience of Islamic and Conventional Commercial banks with respect to the short term and long-term perspectives to pliability. The selected banks are compared on their resilience quotient exhibited by Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR) and Z-Scores. This study evaluates cross country panel data of 157 listed and non-listed licensed Islamic banks located in 22 countries and same number of their conventional commercial counterparts, through a period of 1998 to 2018. The data were collected through BANKSCOPE database and World Bank publications. Ratio analysis and Multiple Regression analysis were applied on data to analyze the extent of resilience of both Islamic and Conventional banks.The findings suggest that there are considerable differences in short term and long term resilience quotient of Islamic and Conventional commercial banks. Where Islamic banks have relatively enervated position than Commercial banks on liquidity frontier, they hold a more resilient position with respect to z-score. ROE and Capital adequacy are two important factors that have a significant impact on bank resilience.This research is different from all past researches with respect to methodological, aeon and acclimatization perspective. Resilience is a relatively new phenomenon adopted from complex adaptive ecosystems and most studies in this area are of theoretical nature. Moreover, the fact that this research has considered not only the long term but also short-term resilience perspective, adds to its overall value and originality

CAPM based Quantification of Bankruptcy Risk: A Heuristic Approach

This paper builds on Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM) and its ability to validate market and firm specific risk. The effort is aimed at ascertaining the role of bankruptcy risk in determining the cost of capital in firms and its impact on corporate valuation. We also attempt to replace and analyze disparity of systematic and unsystematic components of risk with bankruptcy and risk of future liquidity. A similar study has recently been carried out in Indian market by Shirur (2013) for checking the validity of beta and cumulative risk measurement for identifying the presence of bankruptcy risk. This research may be the first attempt at analyzing such semantics with data from Pakistan. Therefore, the current study attempts to investigate the role of bankruptcy risk in determining the cost of capital in corporate valuation and the need of segregating systematic risk and unsystematic risk into liquidity risk and bankruptcy risk. The findings of this study suggest that unsystematic risk shall be eluded while investing in a well-diversified portfolio, but after investing in a specific firm, the unsystematic risk needs to be incorporated in total corporate valuation

Political Stability and the Resolve to Save: The Case of Pakistan

Savings is potential solution to consume the scarce resources in an efficient way, which helps large scale production, improved productivity of the labor and result in increased economic development. The purpose of this study is to examine how macroeconomic indicators like GDP growth rate, income, inflation rate and interest rate affect gross national savings rate of Pakistan and how political stability influence the relationship between these four macroeconomic indicators and savings rate. Using 10 years macroeconomic data of Pakistan from year 2006-2015, multiple regression analysis technique was run and  it was found that all four macroeconomic indicators significantly affects the savings rate. Income appeared to be strongest predictor in causing an increase in the savings rate. Although GDP found to be have an inverse relationship with savings rate. Political stability appeared to be non-significant in influencing the relationship between macroeconomic factors and savings rate

Credit Risk Oracle: The Bifocal Approach

This study aims to examine the macroeconomic and bank specific predictors of Credit Risk (NPL) and their relevant degree of impact on banks in Pakistan. For bank variables a sample of big 10 banks has been taken from 2009 to 2018. For macro-economic variables sample of 2009 to 2018 has been taken from the world bank. As financial institutions play their role to support industries and alleviate poverty in a country, this study checks the effect of banking variables as well as the economic variables on the credit risk of banks by taking industrial sector growth as a moderator. The study found that NPLs are negatively associated with Lending interest rate, Bank investment, Capital adequacy ratio, Domestic credit to private sector, Financial depth and GDP growth while positively associated with Lending capability, Return on equity, Interest spread and Liquidity Ratio. The moderation effect of Industrial sector growth on the relationship of Lending Capability and NPLs is found to be strengthening the relationship

Gender-specific psychological and social impact of COVID-19 in Pakistan

Background: COVID-19 has rapidly spread across the world. Women may be especially vulnerable to depression and anxiety as a result of the pandemic.Aims: This study attempted to assess how gender affects risk perceptions, anxiety levels and behavioural responses to the COVID-19 pandemic in Pakistan, to recommend gender-responsive health policies.Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted. Participants were asked to complete a sociodemographic data form, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and questions on their risk perceptions, preventive behaviour and information exposure. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to assess the effects of factors such as age, gender and household income on anxiety levels.Results: Of the 1391 respondents, 478 were women and 913 were men. Women considered their chances of survival to be relatively lower than men (59% v. 73%). They were also more anxious (62% v. 50%) and more likely to adopt precautionary behaviour, such as avoiding going to the hospital (78% v. 71%), not going to work (72% v. 57%) and using disinfectants (93% v. 86%). Men were more likely to trust friends, family and social media as reliable sources of COVID-19 information, whereas women were more likely to trust doctors.Conclusions: Women experience a disproportionate burden of the psychological and social impact of the pandemic compared with men. Involving doctors in healthcare communication targeting women might prove effective. Social media and radio programmes may be effective in disseminating COVID-19-related information to men

Credit Risk in Asset Based Sukuk

Purpose: This study is intended to find the credit risks in Asset based Sukuk. The risk of default of Sukuk is called a credit risk. Various risks regarding the Sukuk have been identified. Limitations/Implications: The study focuses on the Sukuk issuances of Pakistan. In the current scenario of Pakistan and the need to finance the Diameer Bahasha Dam and Naya Pakistan Housing Program Sukuk is an attractive option. Pakistan has yet not overcome the energy shortfall, and the environment of Pakistan has been effected by the global changes so for the adoption of cleantech green Sukuk is a most appropriate option. Originality/ Value: There has been a significant contribution of Pakistan in the issuance of Sukuk activity and there are Sukuk defaults too. Yet, in Pakistan the research on Sukuk has not been done. So this study shall add to the literature in Pakistan

A Tale of the Ticker; Stock Market Capacity Building Hegemony and Temporal Performance in the Emerging Economies

This paper aims to examine stock market with a capacity building perspective for economic growth, focusing on the factors that enhance stock market capitalization in the long term. This study evaluates cross country series data of 26 emerging countries listed at MSCI index, through a period of 2006 to 2019. The data were collected through World Bank, Pakistan Stock Exchange and SECP database. Vector Error correction model and Multiple Regression analysis were applied on data to analyze the impact of assorted factors on stock market capitalization to GDP as a measure of long term capacity. The findings suggest that political stability and corporate tax rate are two important factors that may have significant impact on stock market capitalization to GDP. This research is different from all past researches with respect to methodological, aeon and acclimatization perspective. Capacity building is a relatively new phenomenon adopted from complex adaptive ecosystems and most studies in this area are of theoretical nature. Moreover, the fact that this research has considered not only the long term but also short-term market capitalization perspective, adds to its overall value and originality