BUKU ABSTRAK - Universiti Putra Malaysia

Social Sciences
Correlates of Family Strength in Malaysia
Mrs. Zarinah Arshat
Rozumah Baharudin
Faculty of Human Ecology, University Putra Malaysia,
43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.
+603-8946 7139; zarinaharshat@yahoo.com
The study explores how socio-demographic and family characteristics of parents are related to family
strength. Sample comprises 200 parents who at least have one child between 7 and 12 years old living in rural
areas of Malaysia. Marital quality, parental nurturance, economic strain and number of children were found to be
significant predictors of family strength. Findings imply that the factors available within the family ecosystems
play important roles in influencing the level of family strength. As very few studies in Malaysia have delved
into factors associated with family strength, the current results could be useful in formulating comprehensive
programmes to build up strong families.
Keywords: Family strength, marital quality, parental nurturance, economic strain
Working Capital Management and Corporate Performance: Case of Malaysia
Mrs. Zariyawati Mohd. Ashhari
Faculty of Economics and Management, University Putra Malaysia,
43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.
+603-8946 7630; zariyawati@econ.upm.edu.my
Working capital is always being disregarded in financial decision making since it involves investment and
financing in short term period. However, it is an important component in firm financial management decision. An
optimal working capital management is expected to contribute positively to the creation of firm value. To reach
optimal working capital management firm manager should control the trade off between profitability and liquidity
accurately. The intention of this study is to examine the relationship between working capital management and
firm profitability. Cash conversion cycle is used as measure of working capital management. This study used panel
data of 1628 firm-year for the period of 1996-2006 that consist of six different economic sectors which are listed
in Bursa Malaysia. The coefficient results of Pooled OLS regression analysis provide a strong negative significant
relationship between cash conversion cycle and firm profitability. This reveals that reducing cash conversion
period results to profitability increase. Thus, in the purpose of creating shareholder value, firm manager should
concern on shorten of cash conversion cycle till optimal level is achieved.
Keywords: Working capital management, cash conversion cycle, liquidity, profitability, panel analysis
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