The Relationship between Working Capital Management and Profitability of Bumiputera-Controlled Companies in Malaysia

Abstract

This study investigated the relationship between working capital management and profitability of 94 listed Bumiputera-controlled companies in Malaysia for 2006 until 2012. The underlying theory is the trade-off theory of working capital and cash conversion cycle, and its components are used as measures for working capital management. Findings of the panel data regression reveal that inventory conversion period and receivable collection period are significantly negatively correlated to profitability. This suggests that the shorter the period, the higher the profitability of Bumiputera-controlled companies tends to be. However, the cash conversion cycle is significantly and positively correlated to profitability, suggesting that the longer the cash conversion period, the higher the profitability. The payable collection period is not significantly correlated to profitability. The findings of this study assert that in general, Bumiputera-controlled companies are relatively less efficient in its working capital management, as far as the comparison to previous related studies is concerned.