However, the average values of many of these variables do not vary monotonically
when passing from one quartile to the next. This implies that comparing the first and
fourth quarter is not sufficient to describe the relation between return on assets and the
independent variables considered here.
5.2 Multivariate analysis
Table V presents the results obtained after regressing the equations (1), (2), (3) and (4).
The sign and significance of the relations found is similar to that found in the previous
analyses. An SME’s return on assets is reduced by lengthening the number of days
accounts receivable, number of days of inventory and number of days accounts
payable. This aspect, which is consistent with the results found by Deloof (2003) for
large firms, underlines the importance of working capital management for firms.
Lengthening the deadlines for clients to make their payments, although it may improve
profitability because greater payment facilities may raise sales, also negatively affects
profitability. Thus a more restrictive credit policy giving customers less time to make
their payments improves performance. The firm’s profitability can also be improved
by reducing the number of days of inventory, so that keeping inventory for less time
can also improve profitability. Lengthening the number of days accounts payable
1 2 3 4
AR 20.0002 * * *
(214.93)
INV 20.0001 * * *
(211.98)
AP 20.0002 * * *
(216.55)
CCC 20.0001 * * *
(26.05)
SIZE 0.0186 * * * 0.0128 * * * 0.0181 * * * 0.0113 * * *
(9.06) (6.42) (8.92) (5.68)
SGROW 0.0207 * * * 0.0203 * * * 0.0210 * * * 0.0215 * * *
(17.09) (16.59) (17.35) (17.64)
DEBT 20.1337 * * * 20.1354 * * * 20.1534 * * * 20.1331 * * *
(230.12) (230.49) (234.20) (229.04)
GDPGR 0.5408 * 0.8345 * * * 0.4902 0.9307 * * *
(1.63) (2.52) (1.48) (2.80)
C 20.0476 * * 20.0212 20.0379 * 20.0203
(22.42) (21.08) (21.94) (21.04)
Hausman 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Obs. 30041 30041 30041 30041
Notes: t statistic in parentheses; *Significant at 90 percent; * *Significant at 95 percent;
* * *Significant at 99 percent; Hausman is p-value of Hausman (1978) test. If null hypothesis rejected,
only within-group estimation is consistent. If accepted, random-effects estimation is best option, since
not only is it consistent, but it is also more efficient than within-group estimator. ROA is dependent
variable; AR measures number of days accounts receivable; INV number of days of inventory; AP
number of days accounts payable; CCC cash conversion cycle; SIZE company size; SGROW sales
growth; DEBT financial debt level; GDPGR annual GDP growth. Results obtained using fixed-effects
estimation. Coefficients of time dummy variables not presented