The current research study aims to analyze the impact of cash holding on investment efficiency by moderating the role of corporate governance among financially distressed firms. The data for 14 years (2006-2019) is gathered from 400 companies of two Asian emerging economies (Pakistan and India). The results are obtained by applying a generalized method of moments (GMM), which postulates that corporate governance improves cash holding with investment efficiency in the Indian scenario and decreases in the Pakistani scenario. Concerning financially distressed firms, corporate governance strengthens the relationship of cash holding with investment efficiency in the Pakistani context but showing no moderating role in the Indian scenario. The results are helpful in cash management decisions to minimize the agency issue and to avail investment opportunities.

The present study is aimed at investigating the relationship between financial distress and investment efficiency of companies listed in the Tehran Stock Exchange (with emphasis on the role of ownership type). To calculate investment efficiency, the Richardson’s model (2006) [Richardson, S. (2006). Over-investment of free cash flow. Review of Accounting Studies, 11(2-3), 159-189.] was employed. The aim of the present study is applied and its method is correlational- ex post facto. Using the exclusion sampling method and by applying the conditions of selecting the sample, 94 companies were selected from 2008 to 2013. To test the research hypotheses, multiple regression was used. Findings of the research indicate that there was a correlation between financial distress and investment efficiency in companies listed in the Tehran Stock Exchange, and institutional ownership had positive effects on the relationship between financial distress and investment efficiency of companies listed in the Tehran Stock Exchange. Furthermore, management ownership had no effect on the relationship between financial distress and investment efficiency in companies listed in the Tehran Stock Exchange.