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This paper investigates the impact of political connections on the performance of Korean chaebol companies. We use two indicators to measure the ability and diversity of political connections and find that chaebol companies are more likely to establish political connections compared to non-chaebol firms, which gives them an advantageous position in government procurement bidding. Significantly, our findings indicate that political connections correlate positively with the monetary value of government contracts secured by chaebols, underscoring the direct economic benefits of these connections. Overall, our study sheds light on the motivation for the political networks of chaebol firms and contributes to a better understanding of the direct benefits of political connections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Demanding, competitive business dynamics drive organisations to continually evaluate and adopt automation in their structural setups, particularly warehouses, for growth and profitability. Industry 4.0 technologies are revolutionising warehouse operations, resulting in cost savings, increased efficiency, and a more environmentally friendly approach for businesses. The readiness of organisations to adopt these technologies is evaluated with the help of hard and soft determinants selected through a theoretical framework of Technology–Organisation-Environment (TOE). In this study, a unique method is used that combines the Modified Delphi method, content validity for scale validation, expert opinion consensus tests for agreement, ranking determinants using the Best Worst Method (BWM), and rank validation through sensitivity analysis for warehousing industry experts and organisations. Warehouse service providers who convert their warehouses into smart modes to serve fast-moving consumer goods companies in Tier-2 cities are chosen for the structural framework. Results present the role of the 'operational efficiency of technology', 'top management', 'employee's education', and 'technical background' as the most effective driving determinants. This research provides valuable information to researchers and managers trying to upgrade their warehouse into a smart warehouse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper assesses the economic potential of music streaming in a developing African economy. It aims to know whether, in emerging African countries, the economic value of music streaming can significantly improve the world's music market revenue growth. Hence, the study uses two marketing theories, product and marketing concepts, to conceptualize a hypothesized model based on survey data from Nigeria. Specifically, it achieves its objective by analyzing the factors that correlate with premium music streaming using the Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM). Our findings suggest that music sampling and consumer attitude are crucial for determining purchase intention and premium streaming. Additionally, we find that stringent anti-piracy measures and low streaming costs can influence optimal music purchase intention and premium music streaming behavior. Overall, while the study fosters an understanding of the economic potential of music streaming in emerging African markets, its evidence supports the literature with valuable insights for decision-makers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the role of gastronomy information presentation quality (GIP-Q) in social media on gastronomy destination image (GDI) formation, drawing upon stimulus-organism-response theory. Data were gathered from 219 travelers from three gastronomy cities in Turkey using a structured self-administered questionnaire and analyzed using PLS-structural equation modeling. The results reveal that reliability, understandability, completeness, timeliness, believability, interpretability, and relevance dimensions positively affect the GIP-Q in social media. The findings also show that the GIP-Q in social media positively affects cognitive and affective GDI formation. This study offers insights to gastronomy industry professionals about enhancing travelers' perceived GDI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainable consumption research, particularly understanding how consumers realign their purchasing habits toward more sustainable ones (e.g., upcycled products), has swiftly grown in popularity. Upcycling is one of the ways for firms to decrease their waste while enhancing their production processes. It is a way to add value to waste and discarded products and make them new again with a story. Although there is some research on consumer perception of such products in developed countries, the views of consumers in developing countries regarding upcycled goods have not been studied. To address this gap, this paper investigates consumer attitudes toward upcycling products in an emerging economy, namely, Türkiye. We conduct an embedded case study and examine several contextual considerations that firms should consider when embarking upon upcycling programs. In conclusion, we offer a conceptual framework for attitude toward upcycled products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we examine the relationship between terrorism and exports at the firm-level. We use a panel data of 301 firms listed on the Pakistan Stock Exchange and records of terrorist attacks in Pakistani cities from 1999 to 2014. By calculating city-level terrorism indices, the study reveals significant variations in the frequency of terrorist incidents both between cities and within cities over different time periods. Our panel regressions show that firm exports are correlated with terrorist attacks in the cities where the firms are located, and these correlations are statistically significant even when terrorism is lagged up to six years. Interregional spillover effects of terrorism are less pronounced. While a negative correlation can be found between firm exports and our terrorism indices, the correlation with domestic sales tends to be statistically insignificant. The findings shed light on the persistent link between local terrorism and firms' international and domestic operations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Informal cross-border trade (ICBT) refers to the illegal activities of cross-border commerce conducted by unregistered small-scale traders. We seek to develop insights to understand the ICBT value chain and offer policy recommendations to successfully integrate it into the formal economy. Using a game-theoretic model, we analyze the operations and key market dynamics of ICBT. We analyze the policy implications of three representative UN directives: enhancing marginalized traders' access to formal channels, reducing export tax rates for formal traders, and introducing an alternative simplified trade regime (STR) for informal traders. All three policies result in an increase in government proceeds when the inherent profitability of the formal or STR channels is sufficiently high. Furthermore, social welfare increases when the policies effectively balance wholesale price competition within the formal and informal channels. We apply our model to a case study based on Uganda's agricultural exports over an 11-year horizon. The access enhancement policy is most effective in increasing government proceeds but least effective in improving the welfare of other participants. The tax reduction policy enhances traders' profitability but sacrifices the welfare of farmers and government proceeds substantially. Finally, the STR acknowledgement policy results in the largest increase in profitability of marginalized traders and farmers but comes at the cost of government proceeds. This paper was accepted by Jay Swaminathan, operations management. Funding: This work was supported by the Institute of Management Research, College of Business Administration, Seoul National University. Supplemental Material: The data and online appendix are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2022.02479. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the relationship among corporate social and environmental disclosures, firm risk, and board gender diversity. This paper offers fresh insights into the relationship between corporate social and environmental disclosures and gender diversity and firm risk., Using panel data of Chinese nonfinancial A‐share‐listed companies from 2008 to 2020, we discover that the correlation between gender diversity on the board and corporate social and environmental disclosures has a significant negative influence on firm risk. The findings also revealed that the impact of gender diversity and corporate social and environmental disclosures is more pronounced to mitigate firm risk in nonstate‐owned enterprises than in state‐owned enterprises. For robustness, we used the generalized method of moments to control for reverse causality and endogenous variables' existence; the findings are similar to the main results. The study contributes to the literature by offering a contingency approach to examine the relationship between corporate social and environmental disclosures and firm risk and sheds light on the relationship in the context of a developing economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims to investigate sustainability practices in the banking industry, focusing on a developing economy. It uses the triple-bottom-line framework to answer the following research question: how do banks in Nigeria conceptualise sustainability, and what role does it play in their banking practices? Design/methodology/approach: This study adopts a social constructivist approach in its exploration of banking sustainability practices in an emerging economy, and the research design is a purpose-based (exploratory) approach. The qualitative data was collected from 33 bank personnel from various bank units and departments through semi-structured interviews to achieve the research objective. Findings: The study reveals a lack of sustainability policies and programmes, as banks focus mainly on profitability. It uncovers unfair treatments of bank workers through casualisation, low wages and work overload. It indicates that most banks in developing countries ignore environmental considerations, as they still carry out paper-based transactions and use diesel-powered generators, which cause various negative environmental impacts. It also confirms that governments and banks in the country are not doing enough to propagate sustainable practices and banks have also not taken advantage of the sustainability concept to promote their brands; instead, they consider it as requiring additional operational costs. Practical implications: The findings demonstrate the need for banks to see sustainability from a marketing point of view and adopt sustainable practices to create additional value that will improve their brand image and enhance their competitiveness. Originality/value: The importance of sustainability in the banking industry in emerging economies is considered a viable means of contributing to the overall development goals of the United Nations as the world tries to preserve the environment. It also highlights the consequences of inaction or unsustainable banking practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractThis study assesses the impact of spiritual adherence on green innovative behavior in pilgrimage tourism contexts. From the notion of COR (conservation of resource) theory, the research examines how green self-efficacy and learning climate influence the relationship between spiritual adherence and green innovative behavior. The researcher gathered data from 362 pilgrims and then conducted a mediation and mediation–moderation path analysis as part of a two-step structural equation modeling approach. The results showed that spiritual adherence positively influenced green innovative behavior, and the association was partially mediated by green self-efficacy and moderated by perceived learning climate. To explain the tested hypotheses, this study used semi-structured interviews and media sources to supplement the quantitative results and further explore pilgrims’ experience with and engagement in green innovative behavior. This study extends our comprehension that how spirituality promotes green innovative behavior, thus contributing to the limited research on sustainability issues in emerging economies and tourism markets, including those in Africa. Lastly, this study offers implications for theory and practice and directions for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study delves into the effect of environmental, social and governance (ESG) indicators on economic growth trajectory of an emerging economy. A sample of firms listed on the ESG index of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) was examined. The findings reveal a positive and statistically significant relationship between ESG performance indicators and economic growth represented as gross domestic product (GDP) per capita. The sample is further segregated into energy and non‐energy sectors, where the aggregate ESG scores exhibited a statistically significant influence on economic growth in both sectors. However, upon a closer examination of the individual ESG pillars, the governance pillar is observed to exert a negative influence on economic performance in non‐energy firms. In contrast, the environment and social pillars show no significant influence. The analysis then employs a unique approach by applying a Difference‐in‐differences estimator to assess the impact of Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting (BRSR) regulations, which confirms a positive impact on economic growth after regulations but exclusively within the non‐energy sector. This study underscores the substantial impact of ESG aggregate and individual scores on GDP per capita, which translates to economic growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the motivating factors behind the formalization of small informal enterprises in Bangladesh, an emerging economy, employing the lens of institutional theory. It emphasizes how regulatory structures, normative pressures, and cognitive understandings shape the decisions of SME owners in emerging economies like Bangladesh. A significant portion of small enterprises in Bangladesh remain informal, leading to concerns over economic development, productivity, and efficiency. Informal enterprises often face challenges such as limited access to finance, market entry barriers, and regulatory hurdles. Recognizing the need for formalization, this research aims to understand the drivers behind this transition. A questionnaire survey of 304 informal enterprises reveals that streamlined regulatory systems, particularly one‐stop solutions and simplified registration processes, are primary motivators for formalization. Additionally, flexible collateral requirements for financing and lower levels of technological adoption also significantly influence this transition. These findings contribute to the academic discourse on informal businesses in emerging economies and provide key policy implications for fostering formalization through targeted strategies and policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While the role of digital technologies (DTs) in facilitating entrepreneurship is well established, research on understanding the role of DTs among circular start‐ups as part of their overall strategy is scarce. This is vital from the perspective of emerging economies, such as India. The study aims to identify and analyse the factors influencing digital technology adoption in circular start‐ups using the Technology‐Organisation‐Environment (TOE) framework and Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) to form a novel Circular Startup Digital Adoption (CSDA) framework. In addition to integrating the TOE framework and TAM, the study utilises a systematic literature review with subject‐matter‐expert (SME) consultation in order to determine the factors of the CSDA framework. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is among the first studies to analyse the factors behind the adoption of DTs by circular startups from an emerging economy perspective, offering theoretical, managerial and policy implications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research paper aims to investigate the interdependent influences of barriers to implementing reverse logistics in the broad spectrum of processing activities in the conditions of an emerging economy. An effort was made to approach these barriers (i.e., organizational and management barriers, technical and technological barriers, and economic, financial, and market barriers) based on the relevant literature, predominant attitudes, and experts' opinions, thus contributing to the body of knowledge in this domain. Determining the intensity of interdependent influences and the importance of barriers for implementing reverse logistics was performed to determine the most important (key) barriers that can be practically applied as guidelines for decision making. The Fuzzy DEMATEL method was used to determine the intensity of these influences on a sample of manufacturing companies in the Republic of Serbia. The results indicate that the most critical barriers to the successful implementation of reverse logistics are a lack of management support and cooperation with scientific institutions and professional associations to acquire knowledge and follow trends in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In light of agency and resource dependence theories, we explored the impact of ownership patterns on the likelihood of financial distress using 57 financial institutions (FIs) listed in Dhaka Stock Exchange and 390 firm years from 2016 to 2022. This study observed that 97.94% of the firms are in distress, 1.03% in gray, and 1.03% in the safe zone. Thus, the stability of FIs lags quite behind the expected standards. Multiple linear regression results show that director ownership is inversely associated with corporate failures, suggesting higher stakes of directors lower the risk of financial distress. When directors align their interests with those of firms by owning shares, it enhances firm performance and lowers the likelihood of failures. Also, institutional ownership negatively correlates with financial distress due to their active surveillance and focus on long-term performance. Besides, effective overseeing process of institutional investors works as a deterrent to making freaky decisions. Conversely, foreign ownership showed a positive affinity with financial distress. In Bangladesh, family dominance, lopsided influence, and political connections limit foreign investors' ability to contribute to a firm's long-term success. While most earlier studies in emerging economies showed financial resilience through the Altman Z-score, only a few have examined ownership patterns as a potential cause of firm bankruptcy. Considering ownership patterns as an explanatory variable of financial distress, this study discourses the corporate governance issues and resilience of FIs in an emerging economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent studies provide evidence that economic policy uncertainty (EPU) is linked with the workers' remittances, yet the channel through which EPU affects the workers' remittances has been less explored. To understand the above said channel, this study uses monthly data from Pakistan, which ranges from January 2015 to November 2022. Based on the results obtained by using different econometric techniques, this study provides evidence that the foreign exchange rate mediates the relationship between EPU (both global and domestic) and workers' remittances. Additionally, it finds that the domestic EPU mediates the relationship between the global EPU and the exchange rate. Interestingly, the results highlight the limited influence of altruistic motives on remittances instead the findings suggest the prevalence of self-interest as the dominant driving factor behind workers’ remittances in the case of Pakistan. The findings of this study have implications for policymakers and stakeholders in formulating effective strategies to harness the potential of workers’ remittances for economic development and welfare enhancement in Pakistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study investigates the customers' intention to use app-based medicine services in an emerging economy. This study explores the indirect effects of perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, perceived security and perceived delivery with the intention to use app-based medicine services through the mediating effect of perceived trust. The present study developed a self-administered survey questionnaire to collect data from 336 respondents who were using app-based medicine services in Bangladesh. The data was collected between March 2022 and May 2022. The collected data were analysed using SmartPLS-4 to determine the reliability and validity of the constructs. The study's findings indicate that perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, perceived security, and perceived delivery positively and significantly (t > 1.96; P < 0.05) influence the perceived trust in app-based medicine services. The research findings also indicate that perceived ease of use, perceived delivery, and perceived trust significantly (t > 1.96; P < 0.05) impact the intention to use app-based medicine services. This study highlights to explore the success factors such as consumer perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, perceived security, and perceived delivery that can increase customers' trust to use app-based medicine services in the developing economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the simultaneous association between capital and the cost of financial intermediation (COFI) by bridging the gap of ownership effects on the nexus between capital and COFI. This study revealed several significant insights by using data from 44 commercial banks in Bangladesh between 2010 and 2021 and applying two-step system generalized methods of moments (2SGMM). First, a significant nonlinear bidirectional relationship exists between bank capital and COFI. The tendency to generate average and low COFI enables banks to acquire more capital than those with high COFI. In contrast, banks with high and average capital bases can maximize their COFI compared to low ones. Second, state-owned and conventional commercial banks are better positioned to source more capital. However, state-owned and Islamic commercial banks can strengthen the inverted U-shaped relationship between COFI and bank capital than private-owned and Islamic commercial banks. Finally, state-owned commercial banks do not experience the same benefits in COFI from capital increases as privately owned banks. Unlike Islamic commercial banks, conventional banks generate more COFI in the long run as capital rises. The findings provide helpful insights into shaping policy and regulations regarding emerging country's banking systems, especially capital, COFI, and ownership policies.

Abstract In light of agency and resource dependence theories, we explored the impact of ownership patterns on the likelihood of financial distress using 57 financial institutions (FIs) listed in Dhaka Stock Exchange and 390 firm years from 2016 to 2022. This study observed that 97.94% of the firms are in distress, 1.03% in gray, and 1.03% in the safe zone. Thus, the stability of FIs lags quite behind the expected standards. Multiple linear regression results show that director ownership is inversely associated with corporate failures, suggesting higher stakes of directors lower the risk of financial distress. When directors align their interests with those of firms by owning shares, it enhances firm performance and lowers the likelihood of failures. Also, institutional ownership negatively correlates with financial distress due to their active surveillance and focus on long-term performance. Besides, effective overseeing process of institutional investors works as a deterrent to making freaky decisions. Conversely, foreign ownership showed a positive affinity with financial distress. In Bangladesh, family dominance, lopsided influence, and political connections limit foreign investors’ ability to contribute to a firm’s long-term success. While most earlier studies in emerging economies showed financial resilience through the Altman Z-score, only a few have examined ownership patterns as a potential cause of firm bankruptcy. Considering ownership patterns as an explanatory variable of financial distress, this study discourses the corporate governance issues and resilience of FIs in an emerging economy.

This study aims to explore the complex interplay between entrepreneurial orientation, CEO power, and organizational slack, and their collective impact on firm performance within Indonesia’s manufacturing sector, providing actionable insights to optimize operations in a dynamic, resource-constrained environment. The paper employs a longitudinal approach, utilizing dynamic panel data from 127 publicly-traded manufacturing companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange from 2014 to 2022, focusing on this sector due to its significant role in Indonesia’s economy and the unique challenges these firms face in adapting to market changes and competitive pressures. The study initially found that entrepreneurial orientation did not significantly influence firm performance. However, when CEO power was introduced into the analysis, it significantly, albeit negatively, moderated the effect of entrepreneurial orientation, suggesting that higher CEO power may actually diminish beneficial impacts of entrepreneurial orientation on performance (β = –48.041, p < 0.05). Importantly, the analysis revealed that organizational slack can positively interact with both entrepreneurial orientation and CEO power, mitigating this negative influence and enhancing firm performance (β = 15.261, p < 0.05). These findings illuminate the complex interdependencies within strategic management, underscoring the necessity of aligning upper echelon power dynamics with organizational resources. This alignment is crucial for leveraging the full potential of entrepreneurial orientation to enhance firm performance. AcknowledgmentsThis study received sponsorship from Beasiswa Pendidikan Indonesia and Lembaga Pengelola Dana Pendidikan (Indonesia Endowment Fund for Education). The support from these organizations has been invaluable in the completion of this work, enabling comprehensive data collection and analysis crucial to complete the study.

In pursuit of profit maximization through practices that promote sustainable development, companies increasingly use environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria to guide investment. However, there are challenges in implementing these practices across diverse sectors, such as the construction industry, especially in emerging countries with limited related studies. This study validated the challenges of implementing ESG in the construction industry in an emerging country like Brazil, considering its relationship with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). A literature review identified challenges associated with ESG implementation, followed by the development of a questionnaire based on these challenges. Subsequently, the questionnaire was administered to professionals in the construction industry and validated using the Lawshe method. Twenty-seven challenges were identified, of which twelve were validated, including the lack of standardized performance indicators, regulatory guidelines associated with ESG practices, organizational resistance, and insufficient transparency in non-financial indicators. This study provides guidance for overcoming challenges in the successful adoption of ESG in the construction industry. It also identifies the most-impacted SDGs and lays the foundation for future actions promoting sustainable development in the construction industry in emerging countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to investigate the mediating role of supply chain resilience and robustness on the relationship between the use of digital technologies and sustainable environmental performance. Additionally, it investigates the moderating role of supply chain complexity on the impact of digital technologies on supply chain resilience and robustness. Data were gathered from 292 supply chain managers at registered manufacturing companies in Egypt and analyzed using Smart-PLS 4 software. The findings reveal that supply chain resilience and robustness partially mediate the link between digital technologies and sustainable environmental performance. Moreover, supply chain complexity was found to positively moderate the effect of digital technologies on both resilience and robustness. The model explained 53.2% of the variance in supply chain robustness, 56.6% in supply chain resilience, and 72.3% in sustainable environmental performance. These results provide critical insights for corporate policymaking, helping to drive continuous improvements in supply chain management, environmental performance, and sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study examines the effect of return on equity (REO), sales growth (SG), debt to equity ratio (DER), Cash Ratio (CR) company size (CS) and Dividend pay-out ratio (DPR) on stock price volatility (SPV) by analyzing the financial data of 134 firms of textile sector of Pakistan. The study based on Pakistani textile sector which is one of the major pillars of the economy. It contributes 8.5% in GDP of Pakistan and employees more than 45% of labour. The data was collected from firms listed in Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) for the years of 2008 to 2019. The data was analysed through E-views and the results show that Return on equity (ROE) and sales growth (SG) has positive significant relation with stock price volatility (SPV). There is positive relation between debt-to-equity ratio (DER) and stock price volatility (SPV). The study further shows that company size (CS) and cash ratio (CR) has negative significant relation. The study highlights the factors that bring volatility in stock price and the principal variables to keep in mind while making investment decision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite a plentiful supply of organic food in emerging economies, consumers are slow to adopt sustainable organic food behaviors. India is one of the top five nations in the world in terms of the total amount of agricultural land that is certified as organic, but the domestic organic consumption in the country itself is really sparse. Using the framework of the theory of reasoned action, this investigation explores how customers' perceived values (health and hedonic values) influence their attitude toward purchasing organic food. Also, it elaborates on the moderating effect of media exposure to food safety issues to know its strength in the attitude–intention relationship. This research utilized PLS-SEM to analyze the structural relationships among the constructs, with 202 responses from consumers in India. The study found the strongest influence of hedonic value over health value and subjective norms on the green purchase attitude of consumers. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that investigated the moderating effect of media exposure on food safety issues on consumers' attitude–intention relationship in a developing nation context. The study highlighted that people who have regularly been exposed to food safety related issues around them are more willing to buy organic food. Thus, it contributes to a more robust attitude–intention relationship among customers toward the purchase of organic food. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we argue that managing technological entrepreneurship effectively is crucial for firms' competitive advantage and high performance. By using an inductive approach of a multiple-case study of Chinese technology-based manufacturing firms, we identify four complementary patterns of technological entrepreneurship (i.e. in-house R&D, R&D acquisition, R&D alliance, and R&D contracting) and find that possessing the uniqueness of knowledge assets and technological capabilities and capturing the value of knowledge assets and technological capabilities are the major determinants for firms to choose these patterns. Our study develops an integrative framework of technological entrepreneurship for emerging economy firms. Implications for theory, practice, and policy are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research Questions/Issues: Using insights from agency and signaling theories, we examine the effect on companies' market‐based performance of a unique monitoring mechanism of compliance with a corporate governance (CG) code, that is, independent certification of compliance with a CG code and type of certification provider. Furthermore, we examine the impact of two boundary conditions, family company status and company‐level information asymmetry, influencing the effect of independent CG compliance certification and type of certification provider on the market‐based performance of companies. Research Findings/Insights: Based on 1110 Bangladeshi company‐year observations from 2006 to 2017, we firstly find that independent CG compliance certification is positively associated with companies' market‐based performance. Secondly, we show that CG compliance certification by a chartered secretarial firm is related to higher market‐based performance. Thirdly, we document that family companies attenuate both these associations. Finally, we find that, while company‐level information asymmetry reinforces the association between CG compliance certification and market‐based performance, it weakens the relationship between certification by a chartered secretarial firm and companies' market‐based performance. Theoretical/Academic Implications: Our findings are consistent with the agency and signaling theory that independent certification of CG compliance and this certification by a chartered secretarial firm reduce information asymmetry between managers and external investors by signaling enhanced credibility of reported CG compliance information. However, the roles of CG compliance certification and certification by a chartered secretarial firm to reduce agency conflict and provide credible signals are conditional on two boundary conditions: family company status and company‐level information asymmetry. Practitioner/Policy Implications: This study's findings highlight the economic implications of a unique mechanism for monitoring compliance with an adopted CG code. The findings have significant implications for policy makers and regulators in emerging economies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims to investigate the relationship between chief executive officer (CEO) power and the level of tax avoidance of Tunisian listed companies. It also examines the moderating role of institutional ownership in this association. Design/methodology/approach: The sample comprises 306 firm-year observations of companies listed on the Tunis Stock Exchange during the 2013–2020 period. Findings: The results indicate that CEO power reduces tax avoidance levels. Moreover, the relationship between CEO power and tax avoidance is more pronounced in the presence of institutional ownership, suggesting that CEOs act less opportunistically when monitored by institutional investors, which results in a reduction in tax avoidance. Practical implications: This study suggests that CEO power and institutional shareholders' influence are important factors in determining firms' avoidance behavior. This study has significant implications for shareholders and regulatory bodies. Indeed, shareholders apprehend the impact of appointing a powerful CEO on tax avoidance practices. This study may also provide regulators with new insights into the influence of CEO power dimensions and institutional ownership on tax aggressiveness. Originality/value: This study fills the gap in the accounting literature by investigating how CEO power may impact tax avoidance behavior and provides empirical evidence on the moderating impact of institutional ownership on this relationship in an emerging economy context characterized by a weakly protected investor setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The emergence of internet-based communities, popularly known as social media, has transformed communication drastically. Due to its importance, scholars have written on the subject within the Ghanaian context. However, the literature remains fragmented without knowledge of its current state, gaps, and opportunities for future research. To address this, we synthesised 29 peer-reviewed articles in academic databases from 2013 to 2023. Through a systematic literature review, we observed that social media research in Ghana had been underpinned by the quantitative approach at the expense of the others. Likewise, the most explored theme is Social Media and Politics, whereas the least is Health Communication and Social Media. Based on the gaps identified, we made recommendations for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Through using 17,995 firm‐year observations of all the Chinese A‐share listed firms from 2008 to 2016 as a sample, we document that firms with vertical interlock have a lower likelihood of committing corporate fraud. We further test the underlying mechanisms, and we find that the effect of vertical interlock on the occurrence of corporate fraud is more pronounced when firms operate in a region with poor legal protection; with the legal environment being enhanced in China, the effect of vertical interlock has become less significant; and the effect of vertical interlock is also more pronounced when firms exhibit poor information environment at the firm level. Our results in this paper imply that the role of large shareholders and legal protection are substitutes in an emerging economy, and even with rapid economic and legal development in China, large shareholders keep playing a positive role in controlling fraudulent behaviours in Chinese listed firms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aspires to identify the factors conditioning the adaptation of the fourth industrial revolution (4IR) within the manufacturing industries in Bangladesh, embracing Industry 4.0 (I4.0) technology led by the technology‐organizational‐environment (TOE) framework that links a number of conditioning variables in the manufacturing industries of Bangladesh. I4.0 is going to drastically change the landscape of the extended TOE framework to relate demographics with research variables for implementing I4.0 technology in a developing country. The findings of the study are analyzed using SMART PLS SEM 4.0 and SPSS 29 in order to diagnose technological contexts (IT resource availability, technology readiness, and relative advantage), organizational contexts (strategy and leadership, organizational capabilities, and technology infrastructure), and environmental contexts (market pressure, government support, and technology innovation decision making). The study's data, which were collected with a bootstrap confidence range of 95%, offered evidence in favor of both proposed mediating effects. A statistically significant indirect effect of adaptation of I4.0 technology on manufacturing/industry performance was seen in the analysis. This study is conducted to examine the mediating function of manufacturing performance, which enhances the comprehensiveness of the study. Through the application of the TOE framework, this study investigates the impact of I4.0 technology adoption on manufacturing performance. The theoretical framework of the study has been validated by the TOE model, which aims to heighten manufacturing performance by integrating I4.0. The practical implications of this study, organizations, governments, and practitioners engaged in the implementation of I4.0 technologies within developing nation contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the complex relationships between Psychological Capital, family business, ownership, gender, and firm performance during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study examines the effects of these variables on firm performance and explores the empirical interaction effects. The findings reveal that Psychological Capital positively influences firm performance, supporting the hypothesis that owners with higher Psychological Capital contribute to better business outcomes. Additionally, family business and ownership significantly impact firm performance, indicating that family involvement and concentrated ownership drive organizational success. Surprisingly, the results indicate a negative impact of gender on firm performance, suggesting that firms managed by women are perceived as less successful. The study also explores the interaction effects and finds that the positive relationship between Psychological Capital and firm performance is amplified in family businesses. However, gender does not moderate this relationship, indicating that women Owners face challenges in translating their Psychological Capital into firm performance in the emerging economy of Ecuador. The results provide insights into the complex dynamics within family businesses and underline the need to address gender disparities and promote inclusive Ownership practices. Implications are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this research article is to explore the behavioural intention of consumers to use app-based shopping for green-tech products in the emerging economy of Bangladesh. The study investigates the indirect effects of perceived ease of use, usefulness, perceived delivery and perceived security on the behavioural intention to use app-based shopping for purchasing green-tech products by considering the mediating role of perceived trust. Design/methodology/approach: A quantitative research approach was applied to collect data from the respondents who had previously used app-based shopping for green-tech products in Bangladesh. An online, self-administered survey questionnaire was used to collect data from 348 respondents. The survey data was analysed using SmartPLS-4 to measure the reliability and validity of the constructs. In addition, partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) was employed to test the research model and hypotheses. Findings: The study's results reveal that perceived usefulness, ease of use, security and delivery positively and significantly influence perceived trust, leading to a higher behavioural intention to use app-based shopping for green-tech products. Additionally, perceived trust significantly mediates the relationship between the behavioural intention to use app-based shopping and perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, perceived security and perceived delivery. Practical implications: The study's findings have important implications for app-based shopping services to support customers interested in purchasing green-tech products in an emerging economy. The results also indicate that green-tech product companies must adopt new service delivery channels and ensure consumers' convenience and cost and time savings. The present research findings suggest that green-tech product companies need to ensure that they integrate digital technologies into their services for secure and timely delivery of products, improving customer convenience. Originality/value: The study's findings can be insightful for app-based shopping service providers to foster their businesses by focussing on developing a positive trust perception in the consumer's mind, leading to a positive intention to use the app-based shopping services. The present study will enrich the current literature by investigating how consumers' perceived trust affects their behavioural intention to use app-based online shopping for purchasing green-tech products. It will also expand the existing knowledge on app-based shopping by exploring how perceived delivery impacts perceived trust, which subsequently affects customers' intentions to adopt the purchase of green-tech products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]