Diverging Paths to Profitability in the Indian Cement Sector through Asset Efficiency and Capital Discipline
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.56209/jommerce.v5i1.138Keywords:
Profit Before Interest, Tax Ratio, Net Profit Margin Ratio, Earning Per Share Ratio, Return on Equity RatioAbstract
Lagos, a Nigerian state, is one of the world's most populous cities, and its transit infrastructure is under immense pressure. The state's public transportation infrastructure is grossly inadequate in suburban areas, causing traffic congestion since many residents lack access to affordable and reliable transportation. Another factor contributing to Lagos' transportation challenges is the city's socioeconomic disparities. In light of this, this study examines the transportation mobility and social equity policies in metropolitan Lagos. The study employed the interpretivist philosophy also known as qualitative or phenomenological research approach in data collection. Primary data were generated mainly through key informant interviews, while secondary data were gathered from the internet, journals, newspaper editorials, transportation policy documents, and other government publications. Key informant interviews were conducted with officers from the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation. The acquired data was analysed using a content analytic approach. Findings of the study revealed that population growth in the state's sub-urban and rural areas has put pressure on the city's infrastructure, especially its transportation system, necessitating a rethinking of transportation mobility. The study concluded that the government must invest heavily in public transport services in suburban and rural areas through public-private partnerships (PPPs) in order to improve the quality and expand the state's public transport network. The study further asserted that the state government's system of discounted fares will make transportation more affordable and accessible to low-income residents.
References
AlMulhim, A. F. (2021). Smart supply chain and firm performance: the role of digital technologies. Business Process Management Journal, 27(5), 1353-1372. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/BPMJ-12-2020-0573
Alnaa, S. E., Adongo, J., & Juabin, M. (2016). Comparative Anaysis of the Profitability of Local and Foreign Banks in Ghanaq. Asian Economic and Financial Review, 238-240. https://doi.org/10.18488/journal.aefr/2016.6.5/102.5.238.246
Anh, D. B. H., & Tien, N. H. (2021). QSPM matrix based strategic organizational diagnosis. A case of Nguyen Hoang Group in Vietnam. International journal multidisciplinary research and growth evaluation, 2(4), 67-72.
AWEDA, A. (2023). The Effect of Working Capital Management on Firm Financial Performance (Doctoral dissertation, IAA).
Baños-Caballero, S., García-Teruel, P. J., & Martínez-Solano, P. (2014). Working capital management, corporate performance, and financial constraints. Journal of business research, 67(3), 332-338. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2013.01.016
Berizzi, A., Bresesti, P., Marannino, P., Granelli, G. P., & Montagna, M. (2002). System-area operating margin assessment and security enhancement against voltage collapse. IEEE Transactions on Power Systems, 11(3), 1451-1462. https://doi.org/10.1109/59.535686
Bianchi, P. (2012). Public and private control in mass product industry: the cement industry cases (Vol. 3). Springer Science & Business Media.
Chanyasak, T., Koseoglu, M. A., King, B., & Aladag, O. F. (2022). Business model adaptation as a strategic response to crises: navigating the COVID-19 pandemic. International Journal of Tourism Cities, 8(3), 616-635. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/IJTC-02-2021-0026
Clampit, J., Hasija, D., Dugan, M., & Gamble, J. (2021). The effect of risk, R&D intensity, liquidity, and inventory on firm performance during COVID-19: evidence from US manufacturing industry. Journal of risk and financial Management, 14(10), 499. https://doi.org/10.3390/jrfm14100499
Davila, T., Epstein, M., & Shelton, R. (2012). Making innovation work: How to manage it, measure it, and profit from it. FT press.
Deb, S. G., & Banerjee, P. (2018). Low leverage policy: a boon or bane for Indian shareholders. Journal of Asia Business Studies, 12(4), 489-507. https://doi.org/10.1108/JABS-01-2017-0002
Falchetta, G., Michoud, B., Hafner, M., & Rother, M. (2022). Harnessing finance for a new era of decentralised electricity access: A review of private investment patterns and emerging business models. Energy Research & Social Science, 90, 102587. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2022.102587
Ferniawan, M. F., Kusumawati, A., & Madein, A. (2024). The Influence of Earnings Per Share (EPS), Price Earnings Ratio (PER), Price to Book Value (PBV), And Debt Equity Ratio (DER) On The Stock Return. Akrual: Jurnal Bisnis dan Akuntansi Kontemporer, 114-130.
Garg, S., & Saxena, S. (2023). Dynamic Effects of Price Controls and Deregulation Policies: Evidence from the Indian Cement Industry. Unpublished manuscript.
Gholipour, H. F., Andargoli, A. E., Arjomandi, A., & Foroughi, B. (2022). Capital investment in telecommunications infrastructure and tourist arrivals in developing countries: does the public–private sectors relationship matter?. Tourism Economics, 28(7), 1805-1822. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/13548166211014814
Haar, J. (1989). A Comparative Analysis of the Profitability Performance of the Largest US, European and Japanese Multinational Enterprise. Management International Review, 5-18.
Halteh, K., AlKhoury, R., Ziadat, S. A., Gepp, A., & Kumar, K. (2024). Using machine learning techniques to assess the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the global aviation industry. Transportation Research Interdisciplinary Perspectives, 24, 101043. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trip.2024.101043
Hasanatun, U., Saragi, M. B., Tailisha, W., Angelyn, D., Helman, H., & Yunita, M. (2025). The influence of debt to asset ratio, total asset turnover, and net profit margin on return on assets in the Banking Subsector listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (2019-2022). Journal of Economics and Business Letters, 5(1), 12-28. https://doi.org/10.55942/jebl.v5i1.388
Islam, H., Rahman, J., Tanchangya, T., & Islam, M. A. (2023). Impact of firms’ size, leverage, and net profit margin on firms’ profitability in the manufacturing sector of Bangladesh: An empirical analysis using GMM estimation. Journal of Ekonomi, 5(1), 1-9. http://dx.doi.org/10.58251/ekonomi.1275742
Ivanov, D. (2022). Lean resilience: AURA (Active Usage of Resilience Assets) framework for post-COVID-19 supply chain management. The International Journal of Logistics Management, 33(4), 1196-1217. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/IJLM-11-2020-0448
Jensen, M. C. (2005). Agency costs of overvalued equity. Financial management, 34(1), 5-19.
John, D., & Paisner, D. (2016). The power of broke: How empty pockets, a tight budget, and a hunger for success can become your greatest competitive advantage. Crown Currency.
Koller, T., Goedhart, M., & Wessels, D. (2010). Valuation: measuring and managing the value of companies. John Wiley & Sons.
Lazzarini, S. G. (2015). Strategizing by the government: Can industrial policy create firm‐level competitive advantage?. Strategic Management Journal, 36(1), 97-112. https://doi.org/10.1002/smj.2204
Manjulakshami, A. (2013). A Comparative Study of Profitability of Two Companies - A Case Study. CLEAR International Journal of Research in Commerce & Management, 54-67.
Mittal, A., & Singh, S. (2025). Does CEO gender impact dividends in emerging economies?. International Journal of Disclosure and Governance, 22(1), 165-176. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41310-024-00247-2
Mohd Azhari, N. K., Mahmud, R., & Shaharuddin, S. N. H. (2022). Capital Structure of Malaysian Companies: Are They Different During the COVID-19 Pandemic?. The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business, 9(4), 239-250.
Naomi, I. W. (2023). Effects of Debt Financing on Financial Performance of Manufacturing Firms in Kenya. African Journal of Commercial Studies, 3(2), 86-95. https://doi.org/10.59413/
Nukala, V. B., & Prasada Rao, S. S. (2021). Role of debt-to-equity ratio in project investment valuation, assessing risk and return in capital markets. Future Business Journal, 7(1), 13. https://doi.org/10.1186/s43093-021-00058-9
Oliveira, J., Pereira, C., & Oliveira, A. (2025). The impact of exogenous shocks on strategy, business models and product development in the Portuguese footwear industry. International Journal of Organizational Analysis. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/IJOA-08-2024-4706
Pariente, S. (1994). Comparative Profitability of Large French and British Retailers. International Review of Retail, Distribution and Consumer Research, 239-256. https://doi.org/10.1080/09593969400000018
Popat, K. H. (2012). A Comparative ANalysis of Profitability Analysis of Selected Steel Industries. Medical Science, 12-18.
Sader, F. (2000). Attracting foreign direct investment into infrastructure: Why is it so difficult? (Vol. 12). World Bank Publications.
Sarkar, B., Guchhait, R., Ma, J. H., Sarkar, M., Dar, Q. F., & Ahn, Y. H. (2025). Evaluating the multi-period operating efficiency of logistics firms in East Asia. Asia Pacific Business Review, 1-28. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13602381.2025.2454951
Schneider, M., Hoenig, V., Ruppert, J., & Rickert, J. (2023). The cement plant of tomorrow. Cement and Concrete Research, 173, 107290. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2023.107290
Sharma, P. (2023). Analyzing How Rigorous Financial Analysis Informs Strategic Decisions and Contributes to Corporate Growth. Nanotechnology Perceptions, 20, 219-229. https://doi.org/10.62441/nano-ntp.v20i1.5164
Siagian, H., Tarigan, Z. J. H., & Jie, F. (2021). Supply chain integration enables resilience, flexibility, and innovation to improve business performance in COVID-19 era. Sustainability, 13(9), 4669. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13094669
Trabucco, M., & De Giovanni, P. (2021). Achieving resilience and business sustainability during COVID-19: The role of lean supply chain practices and digitalization. Sustainability, 13(22), 12369. https://doi.org/10.3390/su132212369
Van Nieuwerburgh, S. (2023). The remote work revolution: Impact on real estate values and the urban environment: 2023 AREUEA Presidential Address. Real Estate Economics, 51(1), 7-48. https://doi.org/10.1111/1540-6229.12422
Vanacker, T. R., & Manigart, S. (2010). Pecking order and debt capacity considerations for high-growth companies seeking financing. Small Business Economics, 35, 53-69. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11187-008-9150-x
Wang, Q., Xu, X., & Liang, K. (2021). The impact of environmental regulation on firm performance: Evidence from the Chinese cement industry. Journal of Environmental Management, 299, 113596. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.113596
Ye, F., Liu, K., Li, L., Lai, K. H., Zhan, Y., & Kumar, A. (2022). Digital supply chain management in the COVID-19 crisis: An asset orchestration perspective. International Journal of Production Economics, 245, 108396. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpe.2021.108396
Zhu, G., Chou, M. C., & Tsai, C. W. (2020). Lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic exposing the shortcomings of current supply chain operations: A long-term prescriptive offering. Sustainability, 12(14), 5858. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12145858
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Journal of Social Commerce

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.