Company Size and Growth on Profitability: A Comparative Study in 5 ASEAN Countries

Objective –This study investigates the correlation between a firm's size and its growth with respect to profitability. It subsequently incorporates various firm-specific variables, including leverage and asset tangibility, as well as macroeconomic indicators.Design/Methodology –Employing a quantitative research approach, this study utilizes annual data spanning the years 2017 to 2021. The research focuses on listed companies within the ASEAN region, namely Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Singapore. The primary data sources comprise the Bloomberg and COMPUSTAT Global databases. Using the fixed effect model, the study includes a total of 145 listed companies, resulting in 725 firm-year observations.Results –This study found that there is evidence of an insignificant negative relationship between size and profitability, while the relationship between growth and profitability is found to be positive and significant. This suggests that the phenomenon of economies of scale is still in place, but in the long run it might be replaced by the diseconomies of scale.Research limitations/implications – The study contributes to a nuanced understanding of relationships between variables within each country. However, the study does not use all companies from each respective country. Novelty/Originality –This study employs a unique methodology by drawing samples from five distinct ASEAN countries. It conducts an integrated analysis encompassing both a collective examination and individual assessments of these countries. By adopting such a comprehensive strategy, this research aims to provide a more holistic perspective on the intricate relationships under investigation.