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International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences

Open Access Journal

ISSN: 2222-6990

The Mediating Effect of Strategic Flexibility between Strategic Agility and Liquidity Risk in Iraqi Commercial Banks

Mansoor Ali, Mohd Effandi Bin Yusoff, Hanini Ilyana Che Hashim

http://dx.doi.org/10.6007/IJARBSS/v14-i11/23086

Open access

This study investigates the effect of strategic flexibility as a mediator in the relationship between strategic agility and liquidity risk. Understanding these dynamics is important for financial institutions, particularly in the context of Iraqi commercial banks, where liquidity management is important for the stability of the operations that banks provide.This study relied on the quantitative design method. The primary data were relied upon to measure strategic flexibility and strategic agility through a questionnaire distributed in paper form, the number distributed was 400 questionnaires to employees working at various administrative levels. While liquidity risks were measured by collecting secondary data for the period from 2005 to 2023. The results concluded that strategic flexibility has a negative impact on liquidity risks. Also, strategic sensitivity and resource fluidity have a negative impact on liquidity risks, while collective commitment had no impact on liquidity risks in Iraqi commercial banks. As for the overall impact on liquidity risks, strategic agility has a negative and total impact on liquidity risks. The difference lies in the fact that the overall impact of resource fluidity comes from the direct and indirect impact, while the effect of strategic sensitivity comes from the direct impact only. Also, the collective commitment comes from the indirect impact only. These results demonstrate the importance of strategic agility and strategic flexibility in reducing liquidity risks. This study focused on Iraqi commercial banks only, while future studies can focus on other sectors and different markets. The practical implications indicate that banks need to be more rational when choosing a strategy that is compatible with market changes to reduce liquidity risks. In addition, Iraqi commercial banks should adhere to applying the dimensions of strategic agility to achieve the desired goals. The originality of this study lies in providing insight into the role of strategic flexibility in influencing the relationship between strategic agility and liquidity risks. This study provides valuable insights for investors, shareholders and managers regarding the importance of strategic flexibility in the context of liquidity risk management.