Corporate Financial Strategies Research Articles

CEO financial background and corporate financialization

Corporate financialization has become increasingly predominant; however, the impact of chief executive officers’ (CEOs’) characteristics on this trend remains underexplored. Although past studies have examined executive backgrounds, the effect of CEOs’ financial expertise on entity enterprises’ financialization levels is unclear. This study examined how CEOs’ financial backgrounds affect corporate financialization in Chinese A-share listed companies from 2008 to 2022. Using panel data and statistical techniques, we found that CEOs with financial backgrounds significantly promote corporate financialization. This effect is primarily mediated through increased managerial overconfidence and mitigated corporate financing constraints. The impact is more pronounced in non-state-owned and low-cash-flow firms. Our findings contribute to understanding how executive characteristics shape corporate financial strategies and offer insights for optimizing corporate governance and decision-making processes in an increasingly financialized business environment.

Trends in corporate financial strategies: Analyzing investment efficiency among listed Indonesian companies

The main objective of this study is to investigate the impact of conservatism, debt maturity, and debt covenants on investment efficiency in Indonesian firms, with a focus on the food and staples retail and food and beverage sub-sectors. This study aims to address information asymmetry between agents and principals, using agency theory as the theoretical framework. A quantitative approach is used using secondary data sourced from financial reports available on the IDX website and company websites. This study took a sample of 329 companies using non-probability sampling technique. Data processing using linear regression method. The results show that conservatism significantly improves investment efficiency, while debt maturity and debt covenants do not show a significant effect. This study underscores the importance of conservative financial reporting practices in improving investment efficiency in the Indonesian corporate sector.

Capital Structure and Corporate Governance: Shaping Company Value through Dividends

Background: The dynamic interplay between corporate financial strategies, particularly capital structure and dividend policies, significantly influences firm value in the manufacturing sector.Knowledge Gap: While previous research has explored the direct relationships between capital structure and firm value, less attention has been paid to the moderating effects of dividend policy, profitability, and Good Corporate Governance (GCG) in this context. Aims: This study aims to assess the moderating roles of dividend policy, profitability, and GCG on the relationship between capital structure and firm value. Results: The findings indicate that dividend policy, profitability, and GCG significantly moderate the relationship between capital structure and firm value, suggesting that firms must balance dividend distribution with their capital structure decisions. Novelty: This research contributes to the existing literature by integrating dividend policy and GCG into the analysis of capital structure's effect on firm value, addressing previously overlooked aspects. Implications: The study underscores the importance of prudent dividend policies and robust corporate governance in enhancing firm value, offering valuable insights for managers and investors aiming to optimize financial performance in the competitive food and beverage manufacturing sector. Highlights : Moderating Effects: Dividend policy, profitability, and GCG significantly moderate the relationship between capital structure and firm value. Financial Balance: Firms must balance dividend distribution with capital structure decisions to enhance overall value. Managerial Insights: The findings provide crucial insights for managers and investors to optimize financial performance in the food and beverage sector. Keywords: capital structure, dividend policy, firm value, profitability, Good Corporate Governance

How does board gender diversity drive the ESG performance‐cash holdings relationship? Evidence from China

AbstractThis study investigates the influence of board gender diversity on the relationship between environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance and corporate cash holdings in Chinese A‐share listed companies from 2015 to 2022. Our research shows that ESG performance is positively associated with cash holdings. Drawing on critical mass theory, the study finds a moderating effect of board gender diversity in the relationship between ESG performance and the cash‐holding relationship. Specifically, the study finds a negative relation between ESG performance and cash holdings with the presence of a single female board member. However, this relationship shifts to a highly positive association when three or more female directors are on the board, underscoring the significant impact of gender diversity. Further heterogeneity analysis reveals that firms with a younger age profile and a strong commitment to green innovation exhibit a negative relationship between ESG performance and cash holdings. These findings highlight the complex and dynamic nature of the ESG performance‐cash holdings relationship, which varies according to specific firm characteristics. Overall, this study offers valuable insights into the multifaceted dynamics of ESG factors, enhancing our understanding of their impact on corporate financial strategies.

Book-Tax Differences during the Crisis: Does Corporate Social Responsibility Matter?

This study investigates the intricate relationship between corporate financial strategies, encapsulated by book-tax differences (BTDs), and firms’ engagement in corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs during economic crises. Using an unbalanced panel dataset drawn from financial, annual, and sustainability reports of over 97 Indonesian non-financial firms from 2017 to 2022, this study reveals that economic crises and CSR activities positively influence total BTD and permanent differences. Notably, firms strategically leverage CSR initiatives amidst crises to enhance their corporate image and manage internal challenges like aggressive tax planning. The robustness of these findings was validated through endogeneity analysis and by examining sub-samples from industries most impacted by the pandemic. In the industries least affected by the pandemic, the direct impact of CSR on BTD was found to be negative, indicating that in the general context, the CSR programs held by these industries are largely driven by normative motives. However, when specified in the crisis context, CSR serves as a strategic buffer for these industries, which reaffirms the prevalence of CSR strategic motives during Indonesia’s pandemic challenges. The findings suggest policy implications for shareholders, regulators, and policymakers to ensure CSR transparency aligns with long-term corporate values and societal impact, incentivizing genuine CSR practices amidst economic uncertainty. Despite its contributions, the study recommends future research explore different domains of CSR and validate findings across diverse contexts to enrich the understanding of CSR’s role in corporate resilience strategies.

Uncertainty of fiscal policy and corporate leverage decisions

We explore the impact of fiscal policy uncertainty (FPU) on corporate leverage in the context of Chinese firms. The analysis reveals a significant negative association between FPU and leverage, consistent across various leverage measures. Additionally, trade credit, financial distress risk, state ownership, and nonlinear dynamics significantly influence this relationship. These findings offer new insights into the effects of fiscal uncertainty on corporate leverage, highlighting the broader implications for corporate financial strategies.

The quality of political signals and corporate payouts

ABSTRACT This study contributes to the broader field of financial economics by highlighting the important role of the quality of political signals in shaping corporate financial strategies. Using a sample of 17,635 US firms over the period 2001–2021, this paper examines how corporate payouts respond to low-quality political signals. We find evidence that such signals trigger corporate precautionary behaviour, leading to more conservative payout policies. Given the stickiness of dividends, we find that firms prefer cutting share repurchases over cash dividends.

Board gender diversity and corporate cash holdings: evidence from Australia

PurposeThis study aims to understand the dynamics of Australian boards by focusing on the influence of board gender diversity on firms' cash holdings, within the distinctive Australian “if not, why not” regulatory framework.Design/methodology/approachThe study uses ordinary least squares (OLS), fixed effects, generalized method of moments (GMM) and quasi-experimental methods such as difference-in-differences and propensity score matching to analyze the data.FindingsThere is a significantly negative relationship between board gender diversity and corporate cash holdings. This relationship is more pronounced when two or more female directors are on the board, supporting the critical mass theory. The results also reveal that the observed pattern can be attributed to the heightened monitoring intensity of female independent directors. Our quasi-experimental methods and pre-post analysis reveal that the observed effects are genuinely attributable to the increase in board gender diversity following regulatory reforms in Australia.Practical implicationsThe findings provide practical insights for companies and policymakers, emphasizing the tangible effects of gender diversity on a company's financial strategy and corporate cash holdings. This information is crucial for organizations aiming to make informed decisions regarding board compositions and governance structures.Originality/valueThis research offers fresh insights into an important relationship between gender diversity on boards and corporate financial strategies in the Australian context, enriching the global conversation on the significance of gender diversity in corporate leadership.

Does social dishonesty accelerate corporate maturity mismatch of investment and financing?

This study investigates the effects of social dishonesty on the maturity mismatch of investment and financing in Chinese companies. Our findings reveal that social dishonesty significantly exacerbates the maturity mismatch, with the issue being particularly pronounced in non-state-owned enterprises, high-tech industries, and developed financial markets. Nevertheless, enhancing the quality of corporate accounting information disclosure, improving stock liquidity, achieving good ESG performance, and undergoing digital transformation can reverse the role of social dishonesty in exacerbating the maturity mismatch of investment and financing. This research highlights the significant influence of social dishonesty on corporate financial strategies within the framework of informal institutions.

Agroindustrial Firm's Financial Strategy during Pandemic: Case Study in PTPN X, Jember Regency

This qualitative research aimed to explore the financial policies and strategies adopted by companies in the agro-industrial sector in an effort to improve their financial performance, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. The research used a case study approach conducted at PTPN X Jember. PTPN X Jember is an agro-industry company that produces world-class tobacco as its main product. Through in-depth interviews and periodic observations, data mining was carried out by considering one finance director as the main informant and supplemented by an in-depth review of financial report documents as secondary data reinforcement. Data analysis adopts Miles and Huberman’s technique consisting of three activities, i.e. data reduction, data display, and drawing conclusions/verification. The results of the study indicated that there is a strong preference for PTPN X to carry out a cost optimization strategy to encourage increased performance, which had an impact on increasing the quantity and quality of products. Quality products had a direct effect on increasing profits despite the COVID-19 pandemic situation. This research contributed to the development of financial management literature, especially corporate financial strategies during times of crisis in the agro-industrial sector.
 Keywords: agro-industry, financial performance, Human Resources, cost optimization strategy

Green innovation's impact on corporate financing: New insights from BRICS economies

Enterprises are increasingly adopting green innovation strategies to reduce their environmental footprint and enhance their competitive positioning. However, how this shift towards sustainability influences corporate financing is less known in the literature. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the impact of green innovation on corporate financing in BRICS countries. Using data from 2010 to 2022 and system GMM for analysis, it finds that green innovation positively influences corporate financing. This highlights the growing importance of sustainable practices in shaping financial decisions. The study adds to the literature on the link between environmental sustainability and corporate finance, emphasizing sustainability's role in corporate financial strategies.

Unveiling the critical nexus: Volatility of crude oil future prices and trade partner’s cash holding behavior in the face of the Russia–Ukraine conflict

This study investigates the spillover effects of the Russia–Ukraine conflict on corporate finance, particularly focusing on cash-holding decisions of Chinese-listed firms from Q1 2020 to Q1 2023. Utilizing a Difference-in-Difference approach, we analyze how firms with trade links to Russia and Ukraine adjust their cash holdings in response to the conflict. A significant aspect of our analysis is the emphasis on Shanghai crude oil futures prices, alongside West Texas Intermediate (WTI) prices, to understand the impact of oil market volatility on these decisions. Our findings reveal that such volatility, especially in Shanghai crude oil futures, significantly influences firms’ cash holdings, with an increased tendency to hoard cash in times of rising uncertainties. This behavior is particularly pronounced in non-state-owned, general trade, and export firms. The study highlights how geopolitical tensions and fluctuating oil prices affect corporate financial strategies, offering insights for policymakers and corporate managers in navigating economic uncertainties.

ОСОБЕННОСТИ И ПРОБЛЕМЫ ФОРМИРОВАНИЯ КОРПОРАТИВНЫХ ФИНАНСОВЫХ СТРАТЕГИЙ В НЕФТЕГАЗОВОМ СЕКТОРЕ

Target. Summarize the features and problems of forming corporate financial strategies in the oil and gas sector. Tasks. Summarize and develop theoretical principles related to revealing the essence of financial strategies, analyze theoretical approaches that reveal the features of financial management in the oil and gas industry; identify and justify the factors determining the need for the formation of corporate financial strategies; structure the main blocks that the corporate financial strategy of oil and gas sector organizations should include. Methodology. In this work, using general methods of scientific knowledge, the issues of forming corporate financial strategies are considered in various aspects, taking into account the specifics of the oil and gas sector at the present stage. Results. Approaches to characterizing the essence of financial strategy are generalized and the author’s definition is proposed; generalized approaches to characterizing the financial system at oil and gas industry enterprises; generalized and characterized the main factors determining the need for the formation of corporate financial strategies in the oil and gas sector; the role of the investment substrategy to the financial strategy of an oil and gas company is determined; the structure of the financial strategy is proposed, taking into account the specifics of the oil and gas sector. Conclusions. Studying the role and place of corporate financial strategy in the financial management system of oil and gas sector enterprises and developing theoretical and methodological provisions for its improvement will not only improve the system for forecasting the financial condition of industry enterprises, but also increase the level of adaptation capabilities of Russian organizations in conditions of instability of the oil and gas market.

ИСКУССТВЕННЫЙ ИНТЕЛЛЕКТ В КОНТРОЛЕ И УПРАВЛЕНИИ ФИНАНСАМИ КОРПОРАЦИИ

A technique has been developed for obtaining data on the financial and economic state of enterprises of a given corporation, conducting their analysis and establishing corporate financial management strategies using mathematical models, numerical methods, and artificial intelligence programs. The technique has been tested on the example of management strategies selection for enterprises of the Abrau-Durso Group, using the recommender program of the IGLA decision support system.

Socioemotional Wealth (SEW) of Family Firms and CEO Behavioral Biases in the Implementation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Agreed upon by the UN member states, Agenda 2030 assumes joint action for long-term sustainable development. These actions are focused on the implementation of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), where actions are assumed to lead to the suppression of negative externalities of human activity. It is stressed that the objectives of sustainable development can only be achieved through deep institutional changes in most dimensions of the economy, including the entrepreneurship dimension. Entrepreneurship plays a pivotal role in the sustainable transformation of the community, as the related activities of companies are the source of the desired structural changes. Entrepreneurial projects make the biggest contribution to the objectives of sustainable development through research and development, investment in new technologies, and innovation. The biggest threat to sustainable entrepreneurship is firms’ aggressive corporate financial strategy, which most often results from CEO overconfidence and aggressive financial behavior. The aim of the article is to indicate differences in corporate financial strategies regarding the status of the company (family or non-family) and CEO characteristics (overconfident or non-overconfident). The fulfilment of this aim by analyzing a selected EU member country (Poland) found more aggressive behavior of overconfident CEOs in non-family firms. It was also found that family firms are a fairly coherent group of companies that implement a more conservative corporate financial strategy regardless of CEO characteristics. We can state that family power can curb CEO overconfidence and its impact on aggressive financial strategy. This means that family firms are much more able to create sustainable entrepreneurship and contribute to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within a market framework.

Financial Ratios, Economic Value Added and Market Reaction: A Quantitative Study on Indonesia Stock Exchange

Reflecting on the phenomenon of stock market movements on the Indonesia Stock Exchange, this study was appointed to examine the effect of the effect of liquidity, solvency, and Economic Value Added (EVA) on market reactions in manufacturing companies listed on the IDX. The research method uses a quantitative approach, and types are categorized in explanatory research. The population in this study is manufacturing companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange in the period 2017-2019. Determination of the sample to be tested in this study using a purposive sampling method and obtained 36 companies. Secondary data were obtained from the Capital Market Information Center (PIPM) the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX). The analytical method is Partial Least Square (PLS) with the assistant of SmartPLS 3.0 software. The results of the study showed that all exogenous variables positively and significantly influenced endogenous variable (EVA and Market Reaction). Research findings enrich previous studies on understanding market reactions and their impact on the development of corporate financial strategies in Indonesia.

Utility Divestitures in Germany: A Case Study of Corporate Financial Strategies and Energy Transition Risk

Germany is in the midst of a radical transformation of its power sector, which in 2016 led two of its main electric utilities, EON and RWE, to undertake dramatic restructurings. EON spun off its fossil fuel and trading segments, while RWE carved out its renewable energy, retail and grid business. The paper examines the drivers of these divestitures. Building on corporate finance literature, the paper uses a mix of comparative descriptive statistics, interviews and event studies to test four groups of hypotheses. The evidence rejects drivers related to operations and management, biased investment and investor preferences and instead points to financing-related drivers. Among the financing-related drivers, debt overhang and risk contamination seemed to have played the main role. Utilities restructured to save their healthy assets (renewables and grid infrastructure) from losses at their conventional power generation business (fossil fuel and nuclear plants). The paper uses existing research on divestitures in an empirical case that has implications for the evolution of European power markets. The results suggest that exiting conventional technologies as part of the transition to a more renewable energy mix can cause substantial costs. If these are not clarified and allocated ex ante, policy makers find themselves forced to either burden tax payers or endanger utilities that are of systemic relevance to the energy sector.

Empirical evidence on the relationship of capital structure and the value of the firm among Mexican public firms

This paper estimates the impact of capital structure changes on the market value of a sample of 69 non-financial firms listed in the Mexican Stock Exchange, during the period 2004 to 2014. Using Pooled Ordinary Least Squares (OLS), Fixed Effects (FE) and Random Effects (RE) regressions, we confirm the extensively documented positive influence of leverage on firm value; i.e. there is a clearly positive and statistically significant relationship between changes in financial leverage (debt ratios and debt to invested capital) and changes in Tobin’s Q (our proxy variable for firm value). When the sample is distributed in sub samples of firms with low and high leverage, small and big size, low and high profitability, or low and high risk, the financial leverage coefficients vary in magnitude and, in the case of debt ratios, remain highly significant. Our main contribution consists in the analysis of the estimated parameters, contributing to a better understanding of the impact of financial leverage changes on the value of different types of firms. These findings have important implications for corporate financial strategies, as well as for portfolio managers’ investment choices.

Autozone, Inc.

The case can be taught in an introductory corporate finance course or to more experienced students or executives to spur a discussion about share repurchases and corporate financial strategies in general. If used in an introductory course, the case is most effective if preceded by a traditional dividend class. It follows a portfolio manager of Johnson & Associates, Mark Johnson, who is reviewing his holdings, including his position in AutoZone in early 2012. A prominent shareholder, Edward Lampert, had begun liquidating his position in AutoZone, and Johnson is concerned that Lampert's reduced position could lead the company to stop using share repurchases as a method of distributing cash flows to shareholders. The case lists a number of alternative uses for the cash flows and asks students to assume Johnson's role as an analyst and assess the likely impact of those alternatives on AutoZone's stock price.

CEO Constellation, Capital Structure, and Financial Performance

Distinctive from prior research that emphasizes the influences of CEO demographic characteristics on corporate financial strategies, this study uses constellation as the proxy variables for CEO psychological traits and takes into consideration demographic characteristic variables to further analyze the relationship between CEO traits and corporate financial leverage, performance, and growth opportunity. This is an interesting issue worthy of study because shareholders and potential investors are always searching for CEOs that can create and increase values for the firms. The results show that there is a greater proportion of Leo CEOs in high-leverage firms, a greater proportion of Virgo CEOs in low-leverage and high-ROA firms, and a greater proportion of Pisces CEOs in both low- and high-MB-ratio firms. In addition, the CEOs with air-constellation are positively related to ROA. In general, fire-sign and earth-sign CEOs prefer high financial leverage, while air-sign CEOs are averse to such; fire-sign and air-sign CEOs have positive influences on firm profitability, while earth-sign CEOs have negative influences. Moreover, cash compensation will reduce the positive effect of air-sign CEOs on ROA.