The optimisation of financial decision in a contracting firm

Financial decisions are some of the most important decisions undertaken during the life span of a firm. Surveys undertaken in Hong Kong and New South Wales found that the financial managers of contracting firms in both geographical locations lacked advanced management methods to support their financial decision-making. A method and system for construction financial decision-making was developed and, as demonstrated herein provides a possible way of solving a financial decision problem, especially under qualitative and fuzzy circumstances. By the use of a combination of multiple-objective decision-making theory and fuzzy-set theory, a fuzzy-multi-task decision can be solved by considering different objective functions and fuzzy constraints. The use of the model is in the management of corporate finance problems, allowing an optimal path of corporate cash flow, resulting in the minimum use of resources. Excess use or idleness of resources can also be eliminated, thus providing a low platform for the planner in planning for the use of the resources during the construction of a project. Such forecasting also suggests the best time to invest in a new project.

This research has concentrated on the modelling of corporate cash flows and the acquisition of loans in medium-size, private construction firms. A compromise solution of the construction schedule in each project is normally achieved. Through cash-flow forecasting, the decision maker of a contracting firm can identify any likely cash-flow problems well in advance, making it an early warning system. Arrangements for acquiring funds from outside can be made well in advance to avoid the possibility of financial problems incurred by the corporation. Moreover, the model provides assistance in the selection of outside funding for financing construction projects, in the choice between different sources of funding (taking into consideration the capital structure ratio), the period cash requirements, the borrowing limits and the tax conditions of the firm. The model further assists the the decision maker in choosing not to accept the work even when there is a high potential profit, under conditions of potentially high financial distress.