Cash Conversion Cycle Strategies to Avoid Business Failure
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Walden University ScholarWorks Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection 2020 Cash Conversion Cycle Strategies to Avoid Business Failure Brian Savino Walden University Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations Part of the Finance and Financial Management Commons This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection at ScholarWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Walden University College of Management and Technology This is to certify that the doctoral study by Brian J. Savino has been found to be complete and satisfactory in all respects, and that any and all revisions required by the review committee have been made. Review Committee Dr. Chad Sines, Committee Chairperson, Doctor of Business Administration Faculty Dr. Craig Martin, Committee Member, Doctor of Business Administration Faculty Dr. Judith Blando, University Reviewer, Doctor of Business Administration Faculty Chief Academic Officer and Provost Sue Subocz, Ph.D. Walden University 2020 Abstract Cash Conversion Cycle Strategies to Avoid Business Failure by Brian J. Savino MBA, Wright State University, 2010 BS, Wright State University, 2006 Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Business Administration Walden University August 2020 Abstract At the end of 2018, the leading 2,000 U.S. and European companies had more than $2.5 trillion of cash unnecessarily tied up in working capital. The efficient management of working capital will lead to more cash invested in profitable projects leading to long term stability. This research will benefit chief financial officers (CFO) looking for strategies to manage working capital, which leads to higher profits and will help CFOs better manage economic downturns. Using the resource dependence theory as the conceptual framework, the purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore cash conversion cycle (CCC) strategies used by business leaders to support the necessary cash flow to reduce the risk of business failure. The participants comprised 3 CFOs from the Tampa, Florida, metropolitan area who have developed strategies to manage cash. Data were collected via semistructured interviews and company documents. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. Four themes emerged: incentives to pay early, using industry standards published by the Risk Management Association for an optimal level of inventory, creditworthiness, and relationships. A key recommendation includes establishing customer financial wherewithal. The implications for positive social change include the potential to provide CFOs strategies to reduce the CCC, reduce the risk of business failure, and maintain employment stability, benefiting the community in which it is located. Cash Conversion Cycle Strategies to Avoid Business Failure by Brian J. Savino MBA, Wright State University, 2010 BS, Wright State University, 2006 Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Business Administration Walden University August 2020 Dedication I dedicate this paper to my wife and parents. My wife has been one of my biggest supporters, always believing in me when I did not believe in myself. As for my parents, my mother always expressed how proud she was of me by saying, “you’re the best.” My father spent most of his career working long hours to support me financially through every adventure without second-guessing my decisions and always stated, “May all your dreams come true.” Table of Contents List of Tables ..................................................................................................................... iv Section 1: Foundation of the Study ......................................................................................1 Background of the Problem ...........................................................................................1 Problem Statement .........................................................................................................2 Purpose Statement ..........................................................................................................2 Nature of the Study ........................................................................................................3 Research Question .........................................................................................................4 Interview Questions .......................................................................................................4 Conceptual Framework ..................................................................................................4 Operational Definitions ..................................................................................................5 Assumptions, Limitations, and Delimitations ................................................................6 Assumptions ............................................................................................................ 6 Limitations .............................................................................................................. 6 Delimitations ........................................................................................................... 7 Significance of the Study ...............................................................................................7 Contribution to Business Practice ........................................................................... 7 Implications for Social Change ............................................................................... 8 A Review of the Professional and Academic Literature ................................................8 Literature Review Opening Narrative ..................................................................... 8 Resource Dependence Theory ................................................................................ 9 Rival Theories ..............................................................................................................15 i Game theory .......................................................................................................... 15 Agency theory ....................................................................................................... 15 Transaction cost theory ......................................................................................... 17 Working Capital .................................................................................................... 17 Current Assets and Current Liabilities .................................................................. 24 Cash Conversion Cycle ......................................................................................... 26 Profitability ........................................................................................................... 30 Transition .....................................................................................................................34 Section 2: The Project ........................................................................................................35 Purpose Statement ........................................................................................................35 Role of the Researcher .................................................................................................35 Participants ...................................................................................................................37 Research Method and Design ......................................................................................39 Research Method .................................................................................................. 39 Research Design.................................................................................................... 40 Population and Sampling .............................................................................................41 Ethical Research...........................................................................................................43 Data Collection Instruments ........................................................................................44 Data Collection Technique ..........................................................................................46 Data Organization Technique ......................................................................................49 Data Analysis ...............................................................................................................49 Reliability and Validity ................................................................................................51 ii Reliability .............................................................................................................. 51 Validity ................................................................................................................. 52 Transition and Summary ..............................................................................................54 Section 3: Application to Professional Practice and Implications for Change ..................55 Introduction ..................................................................................................................55