Skill and Strategy: How Managerial Ability Drives Working Capital Efficiency [version 1; peer review: 2 approved, 1 approved with reservations]

Background The study investigates the impact of Managerial Ability (MA) on Working Capital Management Efficiency (WCME), focusing on how skilled management influences working capital practices. It also explores the variation in this relationship across firms with different characteristics such as pr...

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Main Authors: Sagar Bhatt, Prasenjit Roy, Asokan Vasudevan, Elangbam Nixon Singh, Premendra Kumar Singh, Rakesh Dani
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: F1000 Research Ltd 2025-03-01
Series:F1000Research
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Online Access:https://f1000research.com/articles/14-347/v1
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author Sagar Bhatt
Prasenjit Roy
Asokan Vasudevan
Elangbam Nixon Singh
Premendra Kumar Singh
Rakesh Dani
author_facet Sagar Bhatt
Prasenjit Roy
Asokan Vasudevan
Elangbam Nixon Singh
Premendra Kumar Singh
Rakesh Dani
author_sort Sagar Bhatt
collection DOAJ
description Background The study investigates the impact of Managerial Ability (MA) on Working Capital Management Efficiency (WCME), focusing on how skilled management influences working capital practices. It also explores the variation in this relationship across firms with different characteristics such as profitability and market valuations within India’s economic landscape. Methods Using a balanced panel dataset of 150 listed companies from the National Stock Exchange (NSE) of India for the period 2014–2023, the study employs Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA). WCME is assessed as a multidimensional efficiency metric incorporating inventory, accounts receivable, accounts payable, cost of goods sold , net revenue, and net income. MA is estimated using a two-step DEA-based approach, separating managerial ability from firm-specific characteristics. Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) regression models are applied to examine the individual and interactive effects of MA and Tobin’s Q (TBQ) on WCME along with other important variables. Results The results demonstrate that MA significantly enhances WCME, particularly in firms with lower TBQ. The analysis also reveals that skilled managerial characteristics amplifies the efficiency of working capital management, aligning with the Upper Echelon Theory's (UET) claim that managerial attributes play a critical role in organizational efficiency. Conclusion The study demonstrates managerial ability has a strong influence on corporate working capital policies. This advocates prevalence of certain fundamental concepts such as viz. Upper Echelon Theory (UET), Resource-Based View (RBV), and Agency Theory (AT). From managerial point of view, it is suggested to adopt strategic approaches in practicing WCME that will enhance firm’s competitive advantage and long-term sustainability.
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spelling doaj-art-b83d1027cf9243e48b94564cee8d9f112025-08-20T02:12:53ZengF1000 Research LtdF1000Research2046-14022025-03-011410.12688/f1000research.162551.1178769Skill and Strategy: How Managerial Ability Drives Working Capital Efficiency [version 1; peer review: 2 approved, 1 approved with reservations]Sagar Bhatt0Prasenjit Roy1https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6550-9532Asokan Vasudevan2https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9866-4045Elangbam Nixon Singh3Premendra Kumar Singh4https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6627-4560Rakesh Dani5Graphic Era Deemed to be University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, 248002, IndiaDepartment of Commerce, Tezpur University, Napaam, Assam, 784028, IndiaFaculty of Business and Communications, INTI International University, Nilai, 71800, MalaysiaDepartment of Management, Mizoram University, Aizawl, Mizoram, 796004, IndiaCentre for Distance and Online Education, Sharda University, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, 201308, IndiaGraphic Era Deemed to be University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, 248002, IndiaBackground The study investigates the impact of Managerial Ability (MA) on Working Capital Management Efficiency (WCME), focusing on how skilled management influences working capital practices. It also explores the variation in this relationship across firms with different characteristics such as profitability and market valuations within India’s economic landscape. Methods Using a balanced panel dataset of 150 listed companies from the National Stock Exchange (NSE) of India for the period 2014–2023, the study employs Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA). WCME is assessed as a multidimensional efficiency metric incorporating inventory, accounts receivable, accounts payable, cost of goods sold , net revenue, and net income. MA is estimated using a two-step DEA-based approach, separating managerial ability from firm-specific characteristics. Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) regression models are applied to examine the individual and interactive effects of MA and Tobin’s Q (TBQ) on WCME along with other important variables. Results The results demonstrate that MA significantly enhances WCME, particularly in firms with lower TBQ. The analysis also reveals that skilled managerial characteristics amplifies the efficiency of working capital management, aligning with the Upper Echelon Theory's (UET) claim that managerial attributes play a critical role in organizational efficiency. Conclusion The study demonstrates managerial ability has a strong influence on corporate working capital policies. This advocates prevalence of certain fundamental concepts such as viz. Upper Echelon Theory (UET), Resource-Based View (RBV), and Agency Theory (AT). From managerial point of view, it is suggested to adopt strategic approaches in practicing WCME that will enhance firm’s competitive advantage and long-term sustainability.https://f1000research.com/articles/14-347/v1Managerial Ability Working Capital Management Efficiency Data Envelopment Analysis Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) Financial Economiceng
spellingShingle Sagar Bhatt
Prasenjit Roy
Asokan Vasudevan
Elangbam Nixon Singh
Premendra Kumar Singh
Rakesh Dani
Skill and Strategy: How Managerial Ability Drives Working Capital Efficiency [version 1; peer review: 2 approved, 1 approved with reservations]
F1000Research
Managerial Ability
Working Capital Management Efficiency
Data Envelopment Analysis
Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE)
Financial
Economic
eng
title Skill and Strategy: How Managerial Ability Drives Working Capital Efficiency [version 1; peer review: 2 approved, 1 approved with reservations]
title_full Skill and Strategy: How Managerial Ability Drives Working Capital Efficiency [version 1; peer review: 2 approved, 1 approved with reservations]
title_fullStr Skill and Strategy: How Managerial Ability Drives Working Capital Efficiency [version 1; peer review: 2 approved, 1 approved with reservations]
title_full_unstemmed Skill and Strategy: How Managerial Ability Drives Working Capital Efficiency [version 1; peer review: 2 approved, 1 approved with reservations]
title_short Skill and Strategy: How Managerial Ability Drives Working Capital Efficiency [version 1; peer review: 2 approved, 1 approved with reservations]
title_sort skill and strategy how managerial ability drives working capital efficiency version 1 peer review 2 approved 1 approved with reservations
topic Managerial Ability
Working Capital Management Efficiency
Data Envelopment Analysis
Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE)
Financial
Economic
eng
url https://f1000research.com/articles/14-347/v1
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