Flexibility–efficiency tradeoff and performance implications among Chinese SOEs

The influence of the trade-off between profitability and future increases in sales on cost stickiness

“…As mentioned, studies linking flexibility or slack to efficiency usually use financial performance, and more precisely ROA, as an approach for efficiency, or merely as a measure of financial performance (e.g. Tan and Peng, 2003;Eben and Johnson, 2005;Tan and Wang, 2010;Bradley et al, 2011). Firms giving priority to current profitability will be more prone to apply measures that render higher profitability in the short run, and thus a more favourable change in profitability, with respect to those that do not have such priority.…”

“…Adler et al, 1999;Tan and Wang, 2010). Thomson (1967) described it as the important paradox of administration.…”

How organizational learning affects a firm's flexibility, competitive strategy, and performance

“…Flexible firms base their response ability on uncommitted resources that can be mobilized as required, which is especially valuable in developing entrepreneurial activities (Tang & Wang, 2010).…”

Empirical analysis of the incidence of accidents in the workplace on firms’ financial performance

“…It is widely used in business and academic research as the main indicator of firm financial performance (e.g. Tan andWang, 2010, AlTuwaijri et al, 2004), especially in non-listed firms. It is the ratio of income before leverage to total assets in percent, indicating firm profitability before leverage relative to its size.…”

“…It is usually used as independent variable controlling for size in empirical research in business (e.g. Tan andWang, 2010, Klein, 2002). Large firms can exploit scale economies, favorable credit market conditions and better management and planning activities, while small firms' advantages are dependent on their flexibility, allowing them to respond to changing circumstances or specific requirements (You, 1995).…”