Emerging Science Journal
Vol. 10 No. 3 (2026): June

Net Working Capital and Firm Performance: The Moderating Role of Firm Size in Emerging Markets

Thuy Thi Cam Nguyen (Faculty of Accounting and Auditing, Academy of Finance – Hung Yen Campus, Hung Yen)



Article Info

Publish Date
01 Jun 2026

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between net working capital and business performance and analyzes the moderating role of firm size in this relationship in emerging markets. Drawing on trade-off theory, the resource-based perspective, and agency theory, the study suggests that the impact of net working capital on performance varies with firm size. Using panel data on 370 non-financial publicly traded companies in Vietnam from 2013 to 2024, the study employs an interaction regression model with firm size as the moderating variable. The analysis proceeds in multiple steps, including OLS, fixed-effects, random-effects, and FGLS models, and, in particular, a GMM-robust model to address endogeneity, heteroskedasticity, and autocorrelation. Empirical results show that net working capital significantly affects business performance, as measured by ROA and ROE. Firm size not only directly affects operational efficiency but also moderates the relationship between net working capital and operational efficiency. Specifically, the impact of net working capital differs significantly across firm sizes, reflecting differences in resource access and management efficiency. This research contributes to the existing literature by clarifying the moderating mechanism of firm size in working capital management and by providing new empirical evidence from emerging markets, offering important implications for managers and policymakers.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

ESJ

Publisher

Subject

Environmental Science

Description

Emerging Science Journal is not limited to a specific aspect of science and engineering but is instead devoted to a wide range of subfields in the engineering and sciences. While it encourages a broad spectrum of contribution in the engineering and sciences. Articles of interdisciplinary nature are ...