Determinants of dividend payout of construction companies: A panel data analysis

Singla, H K and Samanta, P K (2019) Determinants of dividend payout of construction companies: A panel data analysis. Journal of Financial Management of Property and Construction, 24(1), pp. 19-38. ISSN 1366-4387

Abstract

Purpose: This paper aims to examine the determinants of the dividend policy of the construction companies in India. Design/methodology/approach: Data from 2011 to 2016 (six years) of 45 listed construction companies in India are collected, and a strong balanced panel is created. Dividend per share is dependent variable, and profitability, unstable earnings, institutional holding, cash flow, tangibility, liquidity, growth opportunities, age of the firm, life cycle, leverage, size of firm and taxation are explanatory variables. The panel is tested for stationarity and finally fixed and random-effect panel regression model with robust estimation option is performed. Findings: The random effect model is found fit with an R2 of 62 per cent, and profitability, life cycle and size of the firm show a significant positive effect on dividend payment. Cash flow shows a negative significant relationship, indicating the presence of agency problem. Rest of the variables indicated an insignificant relationship. Research limitations/implications: The study is carried out on a small sample of 45 companies with data of only six years. Further, there may be behavioral and psychological factors that drive the decision to declare dividend. Those factors have not been considered in present study. Despite considerable efforts, the author could not find more studies specific to the construction sector. Hence, the variables identified in the present study are more generic, even though a few sector-specific studies have been included. Originality/value: The dividend policy determinants for the construction sector in India are investigated, and a comprehensive model based on 12 explanatory variables is tested to find the drivers of dividend payout in Indian construction companies. From the investor’s point of view, the sector has immense potential in terms of dividend as well as capital appreciation. Therefore, the study can be useful to the investors to understand the drivers of dividend payout in the construction sector. It can also be crucial for companies to create an appropriate dividend policy so as to attract and retain investors. The study contributes significantly to the existing body of knowledge by recommending the salient drivers of dividend payout in the construction sector based on a comprehensive dataset and using robust methodology.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: construction; dividend; India; life cycle; profitability
Index terms: estimation, life cycle, regression model, investor, liquidity, taxation, option, India, determinant, profitability, presence, construction company, data analysis, cash flow, dependent variable, construction sector, dataset, agency, body of knowledge, methodology
Subjects: value management, organization, risk assessment, economic analysis, financial and cost management, knowledge management, data analysis and analytics, environmental science, Geography, policy economics, research methods, financial management, statistical analysis, industry analysis, sociology, decision analysis, data management
Topics: Sustainability, Regulations & Compliance, Stakeholder Management, Risk Management, Geographical Context, Project Management, Research Practice, Information Management, Business Strategy, Cost Management, Digital Applications
Descriptive scope: 4 PCTA

N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here