Bộ GIÁO DỤC VÀ ĐÀO TẠO ĐẠI HỌC KINH TÉ TP. HÔ CHÍ MINH BÁO CÁO TỒNG KẾT ĐÈ TÀI NGHIÊN cứu KHOA HỌC THAM GIA XÉT GIẢI THƯỞNG ‘’NHÀ NGHIÊN CỨU TRẺ ƯEH” NĂM 2024 DIGITALIZATION, FINANCING CONSTRAINTS AND FIRM PERFORMANCE: EVIDENCE FROM VIETNAM Thuộc nhỏm chuyên ngành: Kinh tê: Tài chính - Ngân hàng TP. Hồ Chí Minh, tháng 02/2024 TABLE OF CONTENT TABLE OF CONTENT 2 LIST OF TABLE 4 LIST OF FIGURE 4 ABSTRACT 1 CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION 2 1. Objectives and research questions 4 1.
Research subjects and scopes 4 1. Overall research methodology 4 1. Research layout 5 CHAPTER II: LITERATURE REVIEW 6 2. The Resource-based view theory (RBV) 6 2.
The relationship between digitalization and firm performance 7 2. Ovendew of previous studies 8 2. Studies related to the relationship between digitalization and firm performance 8 2. Studies related to the relationship between digitalization and firm performance under financing constraints 10 Table 2.1: Summary of previous literature review 12 CHAPTER HI: METHODOLOGY 14 3.
Empirical models for further analysts - Analysis of economic consequences 15 3. Firms' dependence on bank loans (DBANK) 16 3. Free cash flow (CFLO) 18 Figure 3.1: The conceptual model 18 Table 3.1: Summary of variable measurement 19 3. Data processing methods 20 CHAPTER IV: RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 22 4.
Descriptive statistics 22 Table 4. Correlation matrix 23 Table 4. Multicollinearity - VIF 24 Table 4. Testing to choose between Pooled OLS, FEM, and REM and the existence of time-fixed effects 25 Table 4.4: Results of F test and Hausman test 25 4.
Testing for autocorrelation and hctcrosccdasticity 25 Table 4.5: Heteroscedasticity test results 25 Table 4.6: Autocorrelation test results 25 4. Research result of digitalization and firm performance - Hypothesis Hl 26 Table 4. Digitalization and performance of the company 26 4. Research result of digitalization and firm performance in a financing constraint environment - hypothesis H2 29 Table 4.
Digitalization and fim performance in a financing constraint environment 29 Table 4.9: Summarize research results 31 4. Robustness test: Alternative measure of digitalization and performance 31 4. Alternate the explanatory variable 31 4.2 Change the explained variable 31 Table 4. Alternative way of measuring 32 4.
Further analysis: Analysis of economic consequences 33 Table 4. Analysis of economic consequences 34 CHAPTER V: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION 35 5. Recommendations 37 REFERENCE 38 LIST OF TABLE Table 2.1: Summary of previous literature review 11 Table 3.1: Summary of variable measurement 18 Table 4. Descriptive statistics 21 Table 4.
Correlation matrix 22 Table 4. Multicollinearity results 23 Table 4.4: Results of F test and Hausman test 24 Table 4.5: Heteroscedasticity test results 24 Table 4.6: Autocorrelation test results 25 Table 4. Digitalization and performance of the company 25 Table 4. Digitalization and fim performance in a financing constraint environment 28 Table 4.9: Summarize research results 30 Table 4.
Alternative way of measuring 31 Table 4. Analysis of economic consequences 33 LIST OF FIGURE Figure 3.1: The conceptual model 17 1 ABSTRACT In today's global landscape, nations are strategically embracing digital paradigms, compelling firms to leverage digital technologies to fortify their competitive edge. By examining the dynamic relationship between digital transformation and firm performance within the Vietnamese business landscape, this study offers significant insights into the prevailing digital environment and its associated adoption challenges. Through empirical analysis and regression modeling, it is demonstrated that digital transformation significantly enhances firm performance by reducing costs and intensifying research and development efforts.
Leveraging data from 274 listed companies on the Vietnam Stock Exchange spanning from 2013 to 2022, comprehensive analyses uncover the positive correlation between digital transformation and improved performance metrics. The findings not only contribute to theoretical frameworks, particularly the Resource Based View theory, but also offer actionable recommendations to empower firms in navigating the digital landscape effectively. Key words: digitalization, financing constraints, firm performance, economic consequences 2 CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION 1. Research background Since the beginning of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the understanding and development of digitalization and technology have become one of the most crucial factors influencing the operational activities of global industries.
Together with globalization, digitalization has altered the concepts of materiality and also facilitated different cultures, capital, commodities, and people (Atkinson, 2012). Digitalization allows firms to bring modern technologies into daily core activities, and eventually receive new value and more potential opportunities that can positively impact their financial performance. As artificial intelligence (AĨ), blockchain, cloud computing, and big data—collectively referred to as "ABCD" technologies—continue to advance, digital technology is becoming a pivotal point in the evolution of global businesses (Nicoletti et al. Therefore, to catch up with the world's recent trend, the global economy has also transformed into a digital economy which is led by digital technology (Sultana et al., 2021) in order to increase their competitiveness and attract attention from potential investors in the markets.
By adopting digital technologies, the firms could also be able to enhance their conditions and continue sustainable economic growth. As a global trend, there are some important factors of the digitalization of businesses that could be mentioned: First, the ability to please the expectations of both shareholders and the firm's customers simultaneously. For businesses operating in the Business-to-Customer sector, being able to provide goods and sendees 24/7 can bring huge amounts of benefits, namely customer satisfaction, and could even attract more customers compared to traditional advertising. By not only selling products through brick-and-mortar stores but also on the firm's website provides businesses with opportunities to expand their scale of target audience, and enhance customer loyalty.
Furthermore, the process of digital transformation requires firms to acquire the ability to gather and analyze numerous large datasets. Walker: “Customers are not satisfied simply with the products they ordered, they also ask for further recommendations about other products, and track their order statement to see when it will arrive.", and the datasets this requires are not small. The second factor, which is based on the Information and Communication Technology revolution, can help firms with cost-savings, while the third one emphasizes targeting human nature to boost sales and revenues. For instance, digital advertising which focuses on supporting green and sustainable growth, or combating diseases can easily echo in customers' minds and enhance their loyally to the firm.
However, despite the benefits that digitalization can provide businesses, there are also some problems that managers need to consider: 3 data security and product quality. As the market keeps growing, firms must improve their products and sendees at an exponential rate in order to retain their competitive advantages over other competitors. The process of digitizing the core operational activities of firms is no longer an option but a necessary step that any organization must take if they want to retain their position in the market. In Vietnam, digitalization has hugely promoted the growth of businesses in particular and the economy as a whole.
As a result, businesses in Vietnam are also developing different technologies, particularly e-commerce platforms (Shopee, Lazada. However, studies on the relationship between digitalization and the performance of businesses focus mainly on developed countries, while there is still a lack of research on the association in developing countries, where small and medium enterprises (SMEs) concentrate. Therefore, the researchers decide to cany out this research to examine the impact of digitalization on the financial performance of Vietnamese firms and also determine the mediating effect of financing constraints on the relationship, then utilize the findings to provide useful suggestions and recommendations for businesses to improve their value for customers and shareholders. To specify, we sought to explore the role of financial constraints as mediators in the relationship between two pivotal factors: digitalization and firm performance.
Our goal is to clarify how financial constraints detrimentally affect performance and how digitalization mitigates these constraints, thereby enhancing firm performance. Drawing from prior research indicating that pronounced financial constraints diminish the positive effects of digitalization on corporate performance (Kuang et al., 2023), our study employs both theoretical analysis and empirical tests to comprehensively examine the impact of digitalization on business performance, tightly integrating financial constraints into the research framework. This approach allows US to offer insights into the overarching dynamics of digitalization and firm performance, while also revealing opportunities for optimizing business strategies, particularly within the context of financial constraints. In summary, this study makes significant contributions to both managerial and academic spheres.
On the managerial front, it emphasizes the importance of proactive adaptation to digitalization, strategic planning, governmental support, and talent development for firms aiming to thrive in the digital age. From an academic perspective, the study introduces methodological advancements in hypothesis validation, intermediary effect testing, and heterogeneity analysis, enriching the understanding of digital transformation’s impact on firm performance within the context of the Resource-based-view theory. Overall, this research offers novel insights 4 and practical recommendations, thereby augmenting the existing body of empirical studies on digital transformation and firm performance. Objectives and research questions The overall research objectives of the study is to examine the relationship between digitalization and the financial performance of firms listed on the Vietnamese stock exchange, and study the impact of digitalization on firm performance when there is an existence of financing constraints.
Furthermore, the study also tests whether digitalization helps the firm to improve its independence on bank loans and debt structure or not. In order to achieve the above objectives, this study is going to address the following research questions: 1) How and to what extent will digitalization affect the financial performance of the firm? 2) Will the influence of digitalization on performance be affected when there are financing constraints? How and to what extent will digitalization affect the financial performance of the firm in a financing constraint environment? 3) How could digitalization help firms enhance its debt structure and independence on bank loans? 1. Research subjects and scopes This study focuses mainly on the influence of digitalization on firm performance. Firm performance is assessed using two different measures: the Return on assets (ROA) and the Earning per share (EPS) The main explanatory variable under examination is Digitalization.
Additionally, control variables encompass Asset-liability ratio, Capital intensity, Corporate growth, and Free cash flow. To conduct this investigation, sample data from 274 Vietnamese companies listed on the Vietnam Stock Exchange during the period spanning 2013 to 2022 was utilized. Overall research methodology The author conducts descriptive statistics, correlation matrix analysis and employs Ordinary Least Squares (OLS), Fixed Effects Model (FEM), Random Effects Model (REM) methods. Next, the author used the Hausman test to select the most appropriate model.
To fix the problems of heleroskedasticity and endogeneity, the author continued to use the System Generalized Method of Moments (S. The robustness of the model was also tested using different estimation methods (GLS and S.GMM) with the 5 results indicating a positive relationship between Digitalization and firm performance, further underpinning the reliability of the research findings. Research layout Apart from the introductory and concluding sections, as well as lists of acronyms, tables, charts, references, and appendices, this paper is organized into five chapters structured as follows: Chapter 1: Introduction Chapter 2: Literature review Chapter 3: Methodology Chapter 4: Results and Discussion Chapter 5: Conclusion and Recommendations 6 CHAPTER II: LITERATURE REVIEW 2. The Resource-based view theory (RBV) The rcsourcc-bascd perspective stands as a cornerstone in the realm of strategic management, offering profound insights into the determinants of firm performance (Wernerfelt, 1984; Barney, 1991).
Initially introduced by Wernerfell in 1984, this perspective conceptualized resources as the fundamental attributes of physical and knowledge-based assets that empower firms to craft and execute strategies, thereby shaping divergences in performance (Peteraf, 1993). Wernerfelt's pioneering work laid the groundwork for the theory of firm core competitiveness, providing a robust economic analysis tool rooted in resource analysis to inform strategic decision-making. Within this framework, Wernerfelt identified critical resources such as machine capacity, customer loyalty, production experience, and technical leadership, categorizing them under the rubric of supplementing existing resources and acquiring complementary ones.