Manipulation of operational cash flows: Empirical evidence in the Iranian capital market

In this research, the manipulation of operational cash flows in companies listed on the Tehran Stock Exchange companies and its motivational aspects in the form of capital market incentives (beat benchmarks (achieving predetermined goals) and financial distress) were investigated during the period of 2011-2020 in the form of seasonal and annual data. In order to do this research, 150 listed companies were investigated during the mentioned period. In order to test the hypotheses, Pooled/Panel regression analysis in the form of seasonal data, and the chi-square test in the form of annual data were used in EViews 9 software. In this research, the independent variables are the dummy variables that determine the fourth quarter and the first quarter of the financial year in the form of quarterly data to test the first hypothesis, and the variables of the levels and changes of operational cash flows and financial distress in the form of annual data to test the second hypothesis. In the current research, dependent variables include changes in working capital based on changes in the cash collection cycle and changes in net non-cash working capital as criteria for measuring the manipulation and management of operational cash flows in the form of quarterly data to test the first hypothesis. Also, in this research, the control variables of sales changes, net earnings and its changes were used in the form of seasonal data to test the first hypothesis. The findings of the research indicate the confirmation of the manipulation of operational cash flows by the investigated companies. Other results indicate that beat benchmarks (the achievement of predetermined goals) and financial distress have been effective in manipulating operational cash flows.