Journal Screenshot

International Journal of Academic Research in Accounting, Finance and Management Sciences

Open Access Journal

ISSN: 2225-8329

The Impact of Strategic Flexibility in Reducing Financial Risks in Iraqi Commercial Banks

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

http://dx.doi.org/10.6007/IJARAFMS/v14-i4/23087

Open access

The study aims to find the impact of strategic flexibility on financial risks in Iraqi commercial banks. This study used the quantitative approach. Historical data were used to measure financial risks for the period from 2005 to 2023. While primary data represented by the questionnaire were adopted to measure strategic flexibility. The results of this study concluded that strategic flexibility negatively affects financial risks in general. It is also has a negative effect on liquidity risks in Iraqi commercial banks. However, it does not have effect on the exchange rate risk, credit risks and interest rate risks. The results of the study demonstrate the importance of strategic flexibility in reducing financial risks. This study focused on Iraqi commercial banks only. Future studies can focus on other markets and sectors. The implications indicate that banks need to be rational when making decisions regarding the strategy followed to reduce financial risks. In addition, Iraqi commercial banks should be concerned and committed to applying strategic flexibility to achieve the desired goals. The originality of this study lies in providing insight into the importance of strategic flexibility in reducing financial risks. The results of this study are important for shareholders, managers and investors

Abbas, A. A., Obayes, A. K., & Abdulkadhim, A. Q. (2019). Use of CAMELS standard in the assessment of Iraqi commercial banks. International Journal of Multicultural and Multireligious Understanding, 6(3), 24-48.
Akash, T. R., Reza, J., & Alam, M. A. (2024). Evaluating financial risk management in corporation financial security systems. World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 23(1), 2203-2213.
Alan, T. L. C., Ngai, E. W. T., Karen, K .L. M. (2016), The Effects of strategic and manufacturing flexibilities and supply chain agility on firm performance in the fashion industry. European Journal of Operational Research, 259, 1-14.
Al-Eitan, G. N., & Bani-Khalid, T. O. (2019). Credit risk and financial performance of the Jordanian commercial banks: A panel data analysis. Academy of Accounting and Financial Studies Journal, 23(5), 1-13.
Ali, L., & Dhiman, S. (2019). The impact of credit risk management on profitability of public sector commercial banks in India. Journal of Commerce & Accounting Research, 8(2), 86-92.
Almustafa, H., Nguyen, Q.K., Liu, J., & Dang, V. C. (2023). The impact of COVID-19 on firm risk and performance in MENA countries: Does national governance quality matter? PloS one, 18(2), e0281148.
Anggraini, W., & Sudhartio, L. (2019). Strategic Agility in Environmental Turbulence A case of Banking Sector in Indonesia. In SU-AFBE 2018: Proceedings of the 1st Sampoerna University-AFBE International Conference, SU-AFBE 2018, 6-7 December 2018, Jakarta Indonesia (p. 109). European Alliance for Innovation.
Arslan-Ayaydin, Ö., Florackis, C., & Ozkan, A. (2014). Financial flexibility, corporate investment and performance: evidence from financial crises. Review of quantitative finance and accounting, 42, 211-250.
Aspal, P. K., & Nazneen, A. (2014). An empirical analysis of capital adequacy in the Indian private sector banks. American Journal of Research Communication, 2(11), 28-42.
Bashir, M. (2023). The influence of strategic flexibility on SME performance: is business model innovation the missing link?. International Journal of Innovation Science, 15(5), 799-816.
Bashir, M. (2023). The influence of strategic flexibility on SME performance: is business model innovation the missing link?. International Journal of Innovation Science, 15(5), 799-816.
Beraha, A., Bingol, D., Ozkan-Canbolat, E., & Szczygiel, N. (2018). The effect of strategic flexibility configurations on product innovation. European Journal of Management and Business Economics, 27(2), 129-140.
Canh, N. P., Schinckus, C., Su, T. D., & Chong, F. H. L. (2021). Institutional quality and risk in the banking system. Journal of Economics, Finance and Administrative Science, 26(51), 22-40.
Chen, Y., Wang, Y., Nevo, S., Benitez, J., & Kou, G. (2017). Improving strategic flexibility with information technologies: insights for firm performance in an emerging economy. Journal of Information Technology, 32(1), 10-25.
Chroust, G. (Ed.). (2015). Systemic flexibility and business agility. New Delhi: Springer India.
Cingöz, A., & Akdo?an, A. A. (2013). Strategic flexibility, environmental dynamism, and innovation performance: An empirical study. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 99, 582-589.
Dehaghi, A. K., & Navabakhsh, M. (2014). Study the effect of organizational factors to implementing the agility strategy in Isfahan Municipality. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 4(1), 315.
Dehghan-Dehnavi, H., Nadafi, G. (2011), Can strategic flexibility bring profitability to firms through product innovation? Modern Economy and Business Quarterly, 30, 1-4.
Dhar, B. K., Stasi, A., Döpping, J. O., Gazi, M. A. I., Shaturaev, J., & Sarkar, S. M. (2022). Mediating role of strategic flexibility between leadership styles on strategic execution: A study on Bangladeshi private enterprises. Global Journal of Flexible Systems Management, 23(3), 409-420.
Doz, Y. L., & Kosonen, M. (2008). Creating and testing workplace strategy. California Management Review, 50(30), 95-118.
Doz, Y. L., & Kosonen, M. (2010). Embedding strategic agility: A leadership agenda for accelerating business model renewal. Long range planning, 43(2-3), 370-382.
Farnese, M. L., Fida, R., & Livi, S. (2016). Reflexivity and flexibility: Complementary routes to innovation?. Journal of Management & Organization, 22(3), 404-419.
Fornell, C., & Larcker, D. F. (1981). Evaluating structural equation models with unobservable variables and measurement error. Journal of marketing research, 18(1), 39-50.
Ghabri, Y., Guesmi, K., & Zantour, A. (2021). Bitcoin and liquidity risk diversification. Finance Research Letters, 40, 101679.
Hamdi, K., & Hassen, G. (2022). Economic policy uncertainty effect on credit risk, lending decisions and banking performance: evidence from Tunisian listed banks. Journal of Economic and Administrative Sciences, 38(2), 287-303.
Hensellek, S., Kleine-Stegemann, L., & Kollmann, T. (2023). Entrepreneurial leadership, strategic flexibility, and venture performance: Does founders' span of control matter?. Journal of Business Research, 157, 113544.
Hu, L. T., & Bentler, P. M. (1999). Cutoff criteria for fit indexes in covariance structure analysis: Conventional criteria versus new alternatives. Structural equation modeling: a multidisciplinary journal, 6(1), 1-55.
Huesch, M. D. (2013). Are there always synergies between productive resources and resource deployment capabilities? Strategic Management Journal, 34(11), 1288-1313.
Hussain, H. A., & Al-Ajmi, J. (2012). Risk management practices of foreign and local banks in Bahrain. Journal of Risk Finance, 13(3), 215-239.
Ismail, S., & Ahmed, E. (2023). The impact of liquidity risk, credit risk, and operational risk on financial stability in conventional banks in Jordan. Uncertain Supply Chain Management, 11(2), 433-442.
Jacobs, B. W., Kraude, R., & Narayanan, S. (2016). Operational productivity, corporate social performance, financial performance, and risk in manufacturing firms. Production and Operations Management, 25(12), 2065-2085.
John, D., Jane, S., and Richard, R. (2022) Strategic Agility in Turbulent Environments: A Framework for Navigating Uncertainty, Journal of Business Strategy, Volume 42, Issue 2, Pages 34-49.
Kafetzopoulos, D., & Katou, A. A. (2024). Expanding strategic flexibility through organizational culture, industry 4.0 and market orientation. International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management, 73(5), 1305-1325.
Kafetzopoulos, D., & Katou, A. A. (2024). Expanding strategic flexibility through organizational culture, industry 4.0 and market orientation. International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management, 73(5), 1305-1325.
Kafetzopoulos, D., & Katou, A. A. (2024). Expanding strategic flexibility through organizational culture, industry 4.0 and market orientation. International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management, 73(5), 1305-1325.
Kamasak, R., Yavuz, M., & Ozturk, T. Y. (2017). Reducing risk through strategic flexibility and implementation leadership in high-velocity markets. In Global Business Strategies in Crisis (pp. 273-286). Springer, Cham.
Khoshnood, N. T., & Nematizadeh, S. (2017). Strategic agility and its impact on the competitive capabilities in Iranian private banks. International Journal of Business and Management, 12(2), 220-229.
Khoshnood, N. T., & Nematizadeh, S. (2017). Strategic agility and its impact on the competitive capabilities in Iranian private banks. International Journal of Business and Management, 12(2), 220-229.
Ko, C., Lee, P., & Anandarajan, A. (2019). The impact of operational risk incidents and moderating influence of corporate governance on credit risk and firm performance. International Journal of Accounting & Information Management, 27(1), 96-110.
Kotaskova, A., Lazanyi, K., Amoah, J., & Belas, J. (2020). Financial risk management in the V4 Countries’ SMEs segment. Investment Management and Financial Innovations.
Kurniawan, R., Budiastuti, D., Hamsal, M., & Kosasih, W. (2020). The impact of balanced agile project management on firm performance: the mediating role of market orientation and strategic agility. Review of International Business and Strategy.
Lassoued, N. (2017). What drives credit risk of microfinance institutions? International evidence. International Journal of Managerial Finance, 13(5), 541-559.
Li, Y., Li, P. P., Wang, H., & Ma, Y. (2017). How do resource structuring and strategic flexibility interact to shape radical innovation?. Journal of Product Innovation Management, 34(4), 471-491.
Lirios, C. G., Balderas, W. I. A., & Crisanto, G. P. (2024). Organizational Flexibility in the Literature From 2021 to 2024. Journalism, 14(1), 1-10.
Lirios, C. G., Balderas, W. I. A., & Crisanto, G. P. (2024). Organizational Flexibility in the Literature From 2021 to 2024. Journalism, 14(1), 1-10.
Lirios, C. G., Balderas, W. I. A., & Crisanto, G. P. (2024). Organizational Flexibility in the Literature From 2021 to 2024. Journalism, 14(1), 1-10.
Mahmood, S., Qadeer, F., & Ahmed, A. (2015). The role of organizational learning in understanding the relationship between total quality management and organizational performance. Pakistan Journal of Commerce and Social Sciences, 9(1), 282-302.
Malhotra, N. K., & Dash, S. (2011). Marketing research: An applied orientation (6th ed.). New Delhi: Dorling Kindersley Pvt. Ltd.
Maniagi, G. M. (2018). Influence of financial risk on financial performance of commercial banks in Kenya (Doctoral dissertation, JKUAT).
Martín-Oliver, A., Ruano, S., & Salas-Fumás, V. (2020). How does bank competition affect credit risk? Evidence from loan-level data. Economics Letters, 196, 109524.
Mohamed, A. M., & Onyiego, G. (2018). Effect of risk management on financial performance of commercial banks in Kenya: a case study of commercial banks in Mombasa County. Strategic Journal of business and change, 5(4), 1605-1630.
Mohsin, H. J., Al-Frijawy, J., Hameed, A. T., Hani, L. Y. B., & Al-Alawnh, N. A. K. (2022). Strategic Flexibility and its Impact on Raising the Performance of Banks. Journal of Social Commerce, 2(1), 11-23.
Muriithi, J. G. (2016). Effect of financial risk on financial performance of commercial banks in Kenya (Doctoral dissertation, COHRED, JKUAT).
Mushafiq, M., Sindhu, M. I., & Sohail, M. K. (2023). Financial performance under influence of credit risk in non-financial firms: evidence from Pakistan. Journal of Economic and Administrative Sciences, 39(1), 25-42.
Nadkarni, S., & Narayanan, V. K. (2007). Strategic schemas, strategic flexibility, and firm performance: The moderating role of industry clockspeed. Strategic management journal, 28(3), 243-270.
Nadkarni, S., and Herrmann, P. (2010). Ceo personality, strategic flexibility, and firm performance: the case of the Indian business process outsourcing industry. Acad. Manag. J. 53, 1050–1073. doi: 10.5465/amj.2010.54533196
Naifar, N. (2023). Does climate change affect sovereign credit risk? International evidence. Borsa Istanbul Review, 23, S84-S95.
Nguyen, V. H. T., & Boateng, A. (2015). An analysis of involuntary excess reserves, monetary policy and risk-taking behaviour of Chinese banks. International Review of Financial Analysis, 37, 63-72.
Nkuda, M. O. (2017). Strategic agility and competitive advantage: Exploration of the ontological, epistemological and theoretical underpinnings. British Journal of Economics, Management & Trade, 16(1), 1-13.
Panda, S., & Mohanty, R. K. (2015). Effects of exchange rate volatility on exports: Evidence from India. Economics Bulletin, 35(1), 305-312.
Radomska, J. (2015). The concept of sustainable strategy implementation. Sustainability, 7(12), 15847-15856.
Ruan, J., & Jiang, R. (2024). Does digital inclusive finance affect the credit risk of commercial banks?. Finance Research Letters, 62, 105153.
Sam, M. F. M., & Khudhair, A. Z. (2019). Effect Of Risk Management Practices On The Financial Performance Of Commercial Banks In Iraqi. Opción: Revista de Ciencias Humanas y Sociales, (89), 207.
Sathyamoorthi, C., Mapharing, M., Mphoeng, M., & Dzimiri, M. (2020). Impact of financial risk management practices on financial performance: Evidence from commercial banks in Botswana. Applied Finance and Accounting, 6(1), 25-39.
Shahzad, S., & Jasi?ska, E. (2024). Renewable Revolution: A Review of Strategic Flexibility in Future Power Systems. Sustainability, 16(13), 5454.
Shahzad, S., & Jasi?ska, E. (2024). Renewable Revolution: A Review of Strategic Flexibility in Future Power Systems. Sustainability, 16(13), 5454.
Shimizu, K., & Hitt, M. A. (2004). Strategic flexibility: Organizational preparedness to reverse ineffective strategic decisions. Academy of Management Perspectives, 18(4), 44-59.
Sriboonlue, P., Ussahawanitchakit, P., & Raksong, S. (2015). Strategic innovation capability and firm sustainability: Evidence from auto parts businesses in Thailand. AU-GSB e-JOURNAL, 8(1).
Steven, S., & Toni, N. (2020). The Effect of Bank Capacity and Loan to Deposit Ratio on Profitability and Credit Risk. International Journal of Multicultural and Multireligious Understanding, 7(11), 1-9.
Sudarsono, H., Anto, M. H., & Perdana, A. (2024). Financial Risk Determinants in Islamic Rural Banks: Static and Dynamic Models. Jurnal Ekonomi Pembangunan, 22(01), 54-72.
Sushil. (2016). Managing flexibility: Developing a framework of flexibility maturity model. Managing Flexibility: People, Process, Technology and Business, 3-19.
Taiwo, J. N., Ucheaga, E. G., Achugamonu, B. U., Adetiloye, K., & Okoye, O. (2017). Credit risk management: Implications for bank performance and lending growth. Saudi Journal of Business and Management Studies, 2, 584-590.
Wani, A.A., & Ahmad, S. (2015). Relationship between financial risk and financial performance: An insight into the Indian insurance industry. International Journal of Science and Research, 4(11), 1424-1433.
Wei, Z., Yi, Y., & Guo, H. (2014). Organizational learning ambidexterity, strategic flexibility, and new product development. Journal of Product Innovation Management, 31(4), 832-847.
Xiao, H., Yang, Z., & Hu, Y. (2021). Influencing mechanism of strategic flexibility on corporate performance: the mediating role of business model innovation. Asia Pacific Business Review, 27(3), 470-492.
Yang, J., Zhang, F., Jiang, X., & Sun, W. (2015). Strategic flexibility, green management, and firm competitiveness in an emerging economy. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 101, 347-356.
Yang, L., & Gan, C. (2021). Cooperative goals and dynamic capability: the mediating role of strategic flexibility and the moderating role of human resource flexibility. Journal of Business & Industrial Marketing, 36(5), 782-795.
Yang, L., & Gan, C. (2021). Cooperative goals and dynamic capability: the mediating role of strategic flexibility and the moderating role of human resource flexibility. Journal of Business & Industrial Marketing, 36(5), 782-795.
Yang, T., Li, A., Xu, J., Su, G., & Wang, J. (2024). Deep learning model-driven financial risk prediction and analysis.
Yousuf, A., Lorestani, V. Z., Oláh, J., & Felföldi, J. (2021). Does uncertainty moderate the relationship between strategic flexibility and companies’ performance? evidence from small and medium pharmaceutical companies in Iran. Sustainability, 13(16), 9157.
Zahoor, N., & Lew, Y.K. (2023). Enhancing international marketing capability and export performance of emerging market SMEs in crises: strategic flexibility and digital technologies. International Marketing Review, (ahead-of-print)
Zhao, Y., Elahi, E., Khalid, Z., Sun, X., & Sun, F. (2023). Environmental, Social and Governance Performance: Analysis of CEO Power and Corporate Risk. Sustainability, 15(2), 1471.

Ali, M., Yusoff, M. E. Bin, & Hashim, H. I. C. (2024). The Impact of Strategic Flexibility in Reducing Financial Risks in Iraqi Commercial Banks. International Journal of Academic Research in Accounting, Finance and Management Sciences, 14(4), 301–318.