Working capital management: evidence from Indian SMEs
Authors:
- 17 April 2019
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Taylor & Francis in Small Enterprise Research
- Vol. 26 (2) , 143-163
Abstract
This study examines the practices and policies adopted by Indian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to manage working capital and its various components. A survey of owners/managers of 269 Indian SMEs identified working capital management (WCM) practices. Findings of the study indicate that Indian SMEs typically have an informal approach toward WCM and these firms try to match the maturity of assets and financing sources. These SMEs mainly depend on internal funding from retained earnings and external funding from a line of credit to fund working capital needs. Indian SMEs consider the cash conversion cycle and net working capital as a key value metrics in monitoring working capital. Micro-, small-, and medium-sized firms often differ in terms of their WCM practices. By updating and extending previous research on WCM, this study fills a gap in the literature by providing insights into practices adopted by Indian SMEs managing WCM and its components.Keywords
This publication has 28 references indexed in Scilit:
- Effects of working capital management on SME profitabilityInternational Journal of Managerial Finance, 2007
- Supporting the e‐business readiness of small and medium‐sized enterprises: approaches and metricsInternet Research, 2002
- Late payment and the small firm: an examination of case studiesJournal of Small Business and Enterprise Development, 1998
- Collective efficiency: Growth path for small‐scale industryThe Journal of Development Studies, 1995
- FUNDAMENTALS OF SMALL BUSINESS FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT FOR START UP, SURVIVAL, GROWTH, AND CHANGING ECONOMIC CIRCUMSTANCESManagerial Finance, 1993
- Management of Working Capital: A Neglected SubjectManagement Decision, 1987
- Finance and Performance of Small Manufacturing Firms in SingaporeInternational Small Business Journal: Researching Entrepreneurship, 1986
- A Cash Conversion Cycle Approach to Liquidity AnalysisFinancial Management, 1980
- An International Study of Management Perceptions of the Working Capital ProcessJournal of International Business Studies, 1979
- State of the Art of Working Capital ManagementFinancial Management, 1973