Table A1

Variable definitions

Variable nameSourceHow we measure
Dependent variables
ABSAWCADerived valueAbsolute value of abnormal working capital accruals (AWCA)
ABSDTADerived valueThe absolute value of residuals from Equation (2)
Independent variables
SubsCMIE ProwessIndicator variable for subsidiary firms
Moderating variables
Big 4CMIE ProwessIndicator variable if the parent firm is audited by any subsidiaries of big 4/5 audit firms. Some of the Indian subsidiaries of Big 4/5 include C. C. Chokshi & Co. (Deloitte), BSR & Co. (KPMG), S.R. Batliboi & Co (E&Y), S.R. Batliboi & Co (Grant Thornton) etc.
BTDCMIE ProwessBook tax difference defined as Pre-tax income – (Current tax expense/Statutory tax rate), scaled by lagged total assets
Parent_SizeCMIE ProwessThe indicator variable for total assets of the parent company relative to the subsidiary is in the upper quartile and zero otherwise
Control variables
CapneedCMIE ProwessPercentage change in equity shares, preference shares and long-term debt in the following year
GrowthCMIE ProwessGrowth in total assets
Growth_salesCMIE ProwessGrowth in total revenue
InvCMIE ProwessRatio of inventory to total assets
LevCMIE ProwessTotal borrowings scaled by total assets
LossCMIE ProwessCumulative percentage of sample years with reported losses by the firm
ROECMIE ProwessReturn on equity
SizeCMIE ProwessNatural log of total assets
Std_ROACMIE ProwessStandard deviation of return on assets calculated at the firm level over the sample period for firms with a minimum of three annual observations
Other variables used in the study
AccDerived valueTotal accruals measured as (ΔNon-cash current assets-ΔCurrent liabilities)-Depreciation scaled by lagged total assets
AgeCMIE ProwessYears since incorporation (Natural log)
AWCADerived valueAbnormal working capital accruals from Equation (1)
PPECMIE ProwessPlant, property and equipment scaled by lagged total assets
ROACMIE ProwessReturn on assets is measured as net income divided by average total assets
REVCMIE ProwessSales Revenue
WCCMIE Prowess[(current assets – cash and short-term investments) – (current liabilities –short-term debt)]

Source(s): Table created by authors'

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