Firm size and supply chain finance in Indian pharmaceutical industry: Relational firm analysis of size determinants and cash conversion cycle

Abstract

The sales revenue, total resources, and Working Capital (WC) of the business organization measure the size of the firms. The Cash Conversion Cycle (CCC) defines the Supply Chain Finance (SCF) of the business organization and is affected by the size determinants of the firms. The components of the WC are considered to measure the CCC and define the status of the SCF of the business organization. The study is based on the secondary data obtained from the financial statements of the selected leading Indian pharmaceutical companies. The objective of the study is to find out the relation and degree of governance of size determinants on the SCF. The analysis is based on the ranks of size determinants and relative ranks of inventory days, accounts receivables days, and accounts payables days. The Spearman rank correlation is applied to get the qualitative relationship between the ranks of size determinants and ranks of components of CCC. The study reveals that size determinants affect the SCF positively but moderately while WC governs directly as WC comprises the components of CCC. The study suggests the shortening of the CCC by focusing on size determinants on WC and especially accounts payables in Indian pharmaceutical companies.