Analysis of the Impact of Product Profitability Index Based on Economic Complexity on the Relationship Between Financial Leverage, Asset Efficiency, and Firm Scale with Accounting Profit

Abstract

: The present study aims to introduce a novel approach to measuring the product profitability index based on economic complexity and to analyze its relationship with accounting profit, which is recognized as one of the most critical performance evaluation metrics and a determinant of the value of economic enterprises. This research adopts a mixed-methods approach, and data have been collected through two different methods. To analyze the research variables and relationships, field data were gathered from sources such as the Economic Complexity Atlas website and the Harmonized System (HS) product classification, along with the financial statements of selected companies. Additionally, relevant theories and concepts were extracted using a library-based method. The documentary method was employed for data collection. The study was designed as a survey and aims to provide both descriptive and predictive insights. The sample comprises 286 companies from the Fortune 500 list during the period from 2014 to 2018, classified across 66 product codes (HS) and selected using panel and pooled data. The results of the model indicate that the newly introduced approach for identifying the profitability of high-complexity products has a significant relationship with accounting profit. Furthermore, the findings reveal that variables such as firm size, financial leverage, and return on assets have a meaningful relationship with accounting profit through the effect of the product profitability index based on the proposed model. To enhance corporate profitability and forecast the most profitable products for professional investors (who are among the primary users of financial information), it is essential to consider product complexity analysis and its effect on profitability, as it can be instrumental in selecting effective production and service delivery strategies. According to the findings, companies with higher operating profits generally produce more complex and profitable products. Therefore, shareholders and corporate managers should prioritize the selection of complex products with lower ubiquity, as these products typically exhibit higher profitability.