Research Article Open Access

TOMATO PROCESSING FIRMS’ MANAGEMENT: A COMPARATIVE APPLICATION OF ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL ANALYSES

Mattia Iotti1 and Giuseppe Bonazzi1
  • 1 Department of Civil Engineering, Environment, Territory and Architecture-DICATeA, University of Parma, Parma, Italy

Abstract

In Italy, the territory that includes the Emilia-Romagna region, the southern areas of Lombardia and some of Piemonte’s territory is a center of national importance for tomato production and transformation. The processing firms operating in this area are characterized by significant investments in fixed assets and working capital. The article analyzes the annual account data of a sample of firms, showing that economic margins traditionally applied to assess the sustainability of the business cycle differ significantly from financial margins; also, the Interest Coverage Ratios (ICRs) differ if calculated by applying an economic or a financial approach. Moreover, the annual account data highlight difficult credit access, expressed by applying a multiple regression model to analyze Free Cash Flow to Equity (FCFE) generation. The article suggests a useful metric to measure more correctly the sustainability of a firm’s management that could be applied to others in the agri-food sector, particularly if characterized by a capital-intensive processing cycle.

American Journal of Applied Sciences
Volume 11 No. 7, 2014, 1135-1151

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3844/ajassp.2014.1135.1151

Submitted On: 12 February 2014 Published On: 28 April 2014

How to Cite: Iotti, M. & Bonazzi, G. (2014). TOMATO PROCESSING FIRMS’ MANAGEMENT: A COMPARATIVE APPLICATION OF ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL ANALYSES. American Journal of Applied Sciences, 11(7), 1135-1151. https://doi.org/10.3844/ajassp.2014.1135.1151

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Keywords

  • Tomato Processing Industry
  • Economic and Financial Analysis
  • Interest Coverage Ratios