Estrategias de optimización del capital de trabajo y su impacto en la rentabilidad: un estudio comparativo en las empresas Comercial e Industrial Sucre S.A. COMSUCRE, Sucesores de Jacobo Paredes M. S.A., Cartones Nacionales S.A. I Cartopel

Abstract

Abstract: This paper aims to evaluate the impact of working capital optimization on the profitability of companies in different sectors in Ecuador, identifying effective strategies and sector-specific factors that influence this relationship. To this end, a quantitative and comparative analysis is applied to evaluate the financial statements and indicators of three selected Ecuadorian companies from 2019 to 2023. Linear programming was applied to optimize working capital and maximize return on equity (ROE). The results show that working capital optimization contributes to increased profitability for companies based on their specific characteristics and economic sector. COMSUCRE, PAREDES, and CARTOPEL achieved an increase in ROE by optimizing accounts receivable, payable, and inventories. It is concluded that optimizing working capital is an important factor in increasing business profitability, but it must be adapted to the specific characteristics of the company, the economic sector, and the country's macroeconomic context.