An analysis of the relationship between working capital management and financial performance of JSE-listed construction companies in South Africa

Abstract

Working capital management is an important aspect in the business in order to meet its daily activities. Permanent working capital, temporary working capital, gross working capital and net working capital are four types of working capital. The construction industry, as compared to any other industry, plays an important role in the economic growth of the country. The construction industry is regarded as the largest employer in the labour market and appropriate management of liquidity is essential. Construction contracts are divided into lump sum contracts, unit price contracts and cost plus a fee contracts and have the following role players: employer, employer’s representative, professional team, contractor, sub-contractor and adjudicator. This study analysed the relationship between working capital management and financial performance of JSE listed construction companies during the period 2009-2019. Annual financial statements, which included statement of financial position and statement of financial performance of all listed construction companies during the period 2009-2019 were extracted from the external database (IRESS) to obtain the data needed for statistical analysis. This study used a quantitative research method to analyse the relationship between working capital management and financial performance. Multiple linear regression and correlation analysis were used in this study with inventory conversion period (ICP), average collection period (ACP) and average payment period (APP) as independent variables and return on assets (ROA), return on equity (ROE) and gross operating profit (GOP) as dependent variables, in order to analyse the relationship between working capital management and financial performance of JSE-listed construction companies during the period 2009-2019. Results of this study indicated that working capital management has little or no influence on the financial performance of JSE-listed construction companies, therefore, this indicates that listed construction companies in South Africa need to manage their working capital properly by putting some new policies in place on their accounts payables and receivables, in order to have a relationship between working capital management and financial performance.