Search

Purpose: The goal of this study is to ascertain how the COBIT 5 framework, which consists of (Planning and organization, Acquire and implementation, Support and Delivery, Monitoring and evaluation, Guidance and Control), affects audit risk. Theoretical framework: IT governance (ITG) is a strategic and administrative procedure that aids in an organization's efficient and responsible usage of IT. The efficacy of audit control and audit process can be significantly impacted by COBIT5. Design/methodology/approach: This study used a quantitative approach, with questionnaires distributed to 450 workers from each of the 150 Jordanian companies. The three employees served as a representative sample from the finance, internal audit, and IT departments. A total of 371 sets of questionnaires were returned with complete responses and were further examined. The data analysis employed descriptive analysis, Pearson correlation, and multiple linear regressions. Findings: The results of this investigation revealed that every independent variable, including Cobit 5, had a favorable and substantial impact on the decrease of audit risk. one of the most important results of this study showed that Monitoring and evaluation is one of the most influential dimensions of ITG to reducing audit risks, and perhaps this may be due to the nature of the delivery of IT within companies’ systems and the implementation of their applications and services to be delivered. Research, Practical & Social implications: This study helps Jordanian companies to enhance the application of information technology governance, which contributes to raising the level of efficiency of their accounting systems and enabling them to compete. Originality/value: The findings showed that are a limited number of studies on IT governance and audit risk that have focused on developing countries, especially Jordan, and this is where the research comes in –to fill up the gap.

Purpose: The main objectives of this research were to study the direct relationship between audit quality (AQ) and the performance of non-financial Jordanian companies and to look into how ownership concentration affects this relationship. Theoretical framework: This research focuses on AQ, FP, and ownership concentration. Ownership concentration moderates the relationship between AQ and FP, according to the framework. Audit fees are used to evaluate AQ and lend credibility to financial reports, protecting shareholders' interests. Design/methodology/approach: The study was conducted on public companies listed on the Stock Exchange of Amman (ASE) in the services and industry sectors, with a total of 92 firms, from 2014 to 2018. The data analysis method used was partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM). Findings: The study's findings suggest that AQ is positively linked to FP, and ownership concentration has a positive and significant effect on FP. Additionally, the moderating influence of ownership concentration confirms that AQ has a statistically significant impact on FP. Research, Practical & Social implications: The result of this article helps firm managers, regulatory agencies, and market participants on the ASE, as well as nations with highly concentrated ownership and policymakers, understand governance. Originality/value: This study is one of the first papers in the Jordanian context to address the role of moderating the effect of ownership concentration between AC and FP.

Natural resources crises specifically the water crises are listed in the top ten global risk in 2021. Water demand and withdrawal increase as the population rise. To mitigate water scarcity, companies disclose more on water related information as an engagement to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG). Motivated towards exploring the impact of corporate water disclosures, this study aims to examine effect corporate water disclosures for five years to financial performance of the sample companies. The sample companies are the electric utilities companies that listed as the top 50 market capitalisation in the sector. The water related information disclosure in this study include resource reduction policy, policy of water efficiency policy of environmental supply chain, target water efficiency and environmental management team. This study found that corporate water information disclosures including resource reduction policy and policy of water efficiency) have positive significant relationship on earnings per share (EPS). However, the target water efficiency is negatively significant with EPS which explain the behaviour of electric utilities companies all this while.

The current development of the service industry and information technology-related trades, alongside with the growth in the international mergers and acquisitions forms a higher level of importance towards the intangible assets accounting measures. Besides that, companies opt to voluntarily disclose their intangible assets information in the annual report due to the inability of traditional financial reporting practices to produce adequate intangible information to corporate stakeholders. Therefore, it is important to identify the variables that effect the voluntary disclosure of intangible assets. This study aims a) to analyse the extent of voluntary disclosure of intangible assets and b) to examine the factors, based on resource based view, influencing the voluntary disclosure of intangible assets among Malaysian public listed companies. By content analysing the frequency scoring of intangible assets in the 94 annual reports from 47 technology listed companies on the Ace Market for two years. The results reveal that Chief Executive Officer with international experience and firm size are two resources that can influence or motivate the extent of intangible assets voluntary disclosure. The other factors namely profitability, organisational slack, board size and board independence prove not to be significant drivers in encouraging the intangible assets disclosure.

Climate change has brought a significant impact on the availability of water resources. This problem is further intensified by the increasing cases of water pollution affecting both the volume and quality of water. The water rationing exercise as currently being implemented in certain major cities in Malaysia would be a good example to demonstrate the severity of the issue. This has made business entities at the center of discussion as the way they withdraw, use, and discharge water impact significantly on the water resources availability and quality. Motivated by the opportunity accounting system could potentially offer to mitigate this issue, the present study aims to explore the extent and quality of water reporting among the top 10 Malaysian public listed companies based on market capitalization and water risk profile. By content analyzing the companies’ annual report, the findings show that water-related disclosure is still fairly low among the ten companies with most of the information score only ‘1’ in terms of quality. While findings the exact factors leading to these findings is beyond the scope of this study, the fact that this issue is currently being discussed at international level and the companies are sharing this natural resources with the society, the need for water-related disclosure is still there if the companies want to legitimize their position among the society. It is the role of the regulators to facilitate provision of such information without compromising the need of various parties including the companies.

The study proposes a framework (in the form of a matrix) to map organisations on their level of water-related risk, taking into consideration ‘industry intensity’ and ‘corporate commitment towards water protection and preservation’. On the basis of Ceres (2011), ‘industry intensity’ is measured as either low, medium, or high. Furthermore, ‘corporate commitment’ - measured along the same classification (low, medium, or high) – is based on the extent of corporate disclosure of water policies, initiatives, and performance. These indicators are then aggregated and used to develop a matrix - called Water Governance Matrix (WaGM) - which measures the level of riskiness of an organisation towards water - high (red), moderate (yellow), and low (green). An exploratory study of 30 top public listed companies in Malaysia reveals that only one company falls under the low-risk category, while more than 50% falls under the high-risk category; mainly due to low corporate water disclosure. This innovative matrix is of importance for organisations to monitor and manage their water risk and for stakeholders to make informed investment and other decisions about the organisations.

This study examines the extent of, and factors influencing, energy disclosure in Malaysia. We content analysed the annual reports of top 100 energy intensive companies for the year 2014. Using resource-based theory, we analysed if companies’ tangible and intangible resources as well as human capabilities determine the extent of energy disclosure. Overall, the disclosure is low with an average ‘occurrence’ of energy-related information of 3.53. We also find that the ‘Top Brand Value’ companies and companies with a larger number of directors serving on the board tend to provide greater energy disclosures. However, other variables - in particular tangible resources - have no significant influence. The findings provide tentative evidence to support the arguments of resource-based theory.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide an analysis of intellectual capital (IC) disclosures in annual reports (mandatory and voluntary) and draw attention to the specific issues related to the methodology used i.e. content analysis. The focus is to incorporate all forms of IC disclosure – narratives, numbers, and visual images – into the analysis as well as highlight the need to study both quantity (extent) and quality of disclosure.Design/methodology/approachUsing content analysis, this paper analyzes 30 of Malaysia's largest public‐listed companies from the IC disclosure of 2008 annual reports. The results are used to discuss specific methodological issues such as the usage of an IC index, choice of unit of analysis, quantity versus quality, presence/absence versus multiple disclosures, and the usage of narratives, numbers, and visual images.FindingsThis paper proposes that themes are the most appropriate recording and counting unit to analyze IC information combining narratives, numbers, and visual images. The discussion finds, among others, that while quantity and quality are highly related, quality of disclosure provides the most insights into the disclosure behavior adopted by companies.Practical implicationsThis paper provides methodological guidelines to future IC researchers interested in analyzing the quantity and quality of IC disclosure.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors' knowledge, so far there are no studies published that provide a detailed discussion on ways to capture the quantity and quality of IC information disclosed in annual reports using all three forms of disclosure – narratives, numbers, and visual images.

This paper aims to examine the extent of human capital (HC) reporting among top Malaysian companies and introduce an HC reporting guideline that can be used by Malaysian companies and regulator. It begins by developing the HC framework based on previous intellectual capital (IC) frameworks. This framework is then used to examine each of the top 100 Malaysian companies listed on the Bursa Malaysia in year 2008. Using the content analysis method, it reviews the annual reports of these companies to determine the extent of HC reporting. The findings of this paper highlight the need for the development of IC framework particularly on HC. HC differences were also identified between Malaysia and other countries such as Sri Lanka and Australia, and it is argued that these differences can be attributed to the social, economic, and political factors.Keywords: Human capital, intellectual capital, Malaysia

As Malaysia launched its National Key Economic Areas, biodiversity has been identified as one of the entry point projects for one of the sectors that will drive Malaysia towards high-income status i.e. tourism. Biodiversity, however, is facing a crisis, due to the development of business operation that has direct or indirect contribution to biodiversity loss. Despite the growing concern on biodiversity issue, previous studies have put more focus on general sustainability or environmental reporting issues. This paper aims to provide an analysis on the extent of biodiversity information disclosed by the top 100 Malaysian public listed companies and to see whether there is significant difference, in terms of reporting, between companies from different categories of biodiversity risk. The findings show 80 of the Malaysian companies disclose information regarding biodiversity with ‘mission statement’ being the highest reported biodiversity related item. There is also significant difference, in the context of biodiversity reporting, between companies from different categories of biodiversity risk. Further analysis shows companies with higher biodiversity risk (red-zone) provide more reports on biodiversity related information leading to a statistically significant difference from companies with lower biodiversity risk i.e. amber-zone and green-zone.

On the basis of institutional governance perspectives, it examines internal and state factors influencing the carbon emission disclosures among 75 electricity companies in Asia. It content analysed the annual reports and stand-alone sustainability reports for the year 2013. Overall, the findings suggested that the adoption of GRI Sustainability Reporting Guidelines and a country’s strength of law enforcement and commitment towards the environment had a significant influence on the extent of carbon emission disclosures. Other variables – environmental management system, environmental committee, voluntary participation in CDP programmme, corporate governance, and country’s legal origin – are not significant. Considering electricity industry and Asian region are among the main contributors to the global carbon emissions, there is a pressing need for the leaders within the industry and across the countries to institute mechanisms to combat climate change including through making corporate disclosures mandatory.

This study examines the propensity of the world’s largest companies to participate in the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) water programme. Drawing upon stakeholder theory, we assess the influence of board characteristics and country of origin on the decision of 748 largest companies from 42 countries to respond to the 2015 CDP water programme. Based on the binary logistic regression, we found that companies which participated in the survey have boards dominated by the independent directors, no specific environmental committee, and were domiciled in countries which placed greater emphasis on the information needs of the shareholders. We also found the evidence of companies operating in high water intensive industries to be more inclined towards participating in the survey. The findings provide tentative evidence to support the arguments of stakeholder theory.

This paper intends to fathom the current state of procurement system in Malaysia specifically in the construction industry in the aspect of supplier selection. This paper propose a comprehensive study on the supplier selection metrics for infrastructure building, weight the importance of each metrics assigned and to find the relationship between the metrics among initiators, decision makers, buyers and users. With the metrics hierarchy of criteria importance, a supplier selection process can be defined, repeated and audited with lesser complications or difficulties. This will help the field of procurement to improve as this research is able to develop and redefine policies and procedures that have been set in supplier selection. Developing this systematic process will enable optimization of supplier selection and thus increasing the value for every stakeholders as the process of selection is greatly simplified. With a new redefined policy and procedure, it does not only increase the company's effectiveness and profit, but also make it available for the company to reach greater heights in the advancement of procurement in Malaysia.

Flooding is the utmost major natural hazard in Malaysia in terms of populations affected, frequency, area extent, flood duration and social economic damage. The recent flood devastation towards the end of 2014 witnessed almost 250,000 people being displaced from eight states in Peninsular Malaysia. The affected victims required evacuation within a short period of time to the designated evacuation centres. An effective and efficient flood disaster management would assure non-futile efforts for life-saving. Effective flood disaster management requires collective and cooperative emergency teamwork from various government agencies. Intergovernmental collaborations among government agencies at different levels have become part of flood disaster management due to the need for sharing resources and coordinating efforts. Collaborative decision making during disaster is an integral element in providing prompt and effective response for evacuating the victims.

This paper proposes a conceptual framework to compare criteria/factor that influence the supplier selection. A mixed methods approach comprising qualitative and quantitative survey will be used. The study intend to identify and define the metrics that key stakeholders at Public Works Department (PWD) believed should be used for supplier. The outcomes would foresee the possible initiatives to bring procurement in PWD to a strategic level. The results will provide a deeper understanding of drivers for supplier's selection in the construction industry. The obtained output will benefit many parties involved in the supplier selection decision-making. The findings provides useful information and greater understanding of the perceptions that PWD executives hold regarding supplier selection and the extent to which these perceptions are consistent with findings from prior studies. The findings from this paper can be utilized as input for policy makers to outline any changes in the current procurement code of practice in order to enhance the degree of transparency and integrity in decision-making.

This study was carried out to investigate the word order distribution of English Noun Phrases (NPs) by using Saussure’s notion of structural linguistics and Reid’s meaning-based approach. The data from non-literary texts and short stories were examined to see if they comply with the patterns of NPs which have been proposed by other traditional linguists. The results of this study revealed that both literary and non-literary writings share similar word order distribution of simple noun phrases (i.e. ‘determiner + modifier + head noun’) with some slight differences pertaining to the positions of the modifiers in both texts. The analysis can be further improved by focusing on one category of word order distribution to identify the occurrences and to precisely elaborate on the occurrences of the word order.

This study investigated the computer literacy and Internet usage levels in a semi-urban school in the East Coast of Terengganu. The study also investigates whether if there existed a significant relationship between computer literacy level and Internet usage skills. Further, the researcher also found out whether SES level and gender have a bearing on the computer literacy level of the sample. The instrument distributed to the students was found to have a strong reliability. Both the computer literacy and Internet usage levels of the sample were found to be satisfactorily high as indicated by the respective means. Correlation analysis was done to find out if there existed a significant relationship between computer literacy and Internet usage skills. It was found that a significant positive relationship exists between computer literacy and Internet usage (r = 0.003, p

The major aim of this research is to determine the effectiveness of using songs in teaching English language to primary school students. This research will specifically investigate to what extent songs can contribute to the development of students’ language proficiency. The research is designed to find out whether using songs can be an effective way in creating positive attitude and motivation in language learners. The research will be carried out through the use of questionnaire. The data will be analyzed using the SPSS software to determine the best statistical technique to be used to test the hypotheses and to interpret the result. This is a preliminary survey research and it is hoped that this research will give an opportunity to teachers to realize songs help improve students’ language proficiency. From the survey, it has been discovered that the use of song not only helps the understanding, it also stimulates and increases the students’ interest to learn, enjoy and engage in the learning process. Furthermore, it accelerates students’ confidence, learning ability and skill when activities are highly motivated and memorable. Future researchers should extend this research to other samples in other localities and cultures.

The study is experimental in nature. Both the experimental group and the control group comprised respondents who are sixth form students of SMK Rantau Panjang, Kelantan. The experimental group was exposed to the ‘tree-diagram’ writing strategy for a period of one month. This meant a total exposure of sixteen 40-minute periods for the duration of the month. Both the groups were subjected to a pre-test at the onset of the experiment and a post test one month later. A t-test showed that there was a significant difference between the pre test and the post test writing marks of the experimental group whereas no such significant difference was found in the control group. A similar t-test showed that there was a significant difference in the grammar scores of the experimental group but none for the control group. There was also a significant difference between the pre test and post test motivation score of the experimental group. However, a t-test indicated that there was no significant difference in the motivational scores of the males and females at the conclusion at the experimental period. Future researchers should focus on the use of tree-diagram to assist other types of essays such as argumentative essays.

Historically, the use of the English Language in Malaysia, then Malaya, dates back to the Colonial times. This shows there has been a legacy of English usage in the nation. Recently, in view of globalization and increasing competition among nations in the world, there has been a renewed emphasis on the importance of English. This study hopes to provide some feedback from four industries in Kemaman about the adequacy of our new graduates. This study focused on two GLCs and two private sector companies in Kemaman, Terengganu. However, the findings can be applicable to companies throughout the country, be they GLC’s, government or private sector. Although only 115 respondents from the supervisory level upwards have been selected as the sample, these 115 respondents can be representative of the work sector not only in Kemaman, Terengganu but in the entire nation. Based on the findings, the speaking, writing, social skills and overall English proficiency of new graduates were found to be not adequate. Future researchers should focus on the need for a new syllabus design which gives scope for the development of soft skills such as interpersonal skills, speaking skills and socializing skills.

This study investigates the carbon (or greenhouse gas emissions, GHG) reporting of electricity generating companies inthe three top carbon (GHG) emitting countries in Asia, namely China, India and Japan.Using the disclosure index adapted from Choi et al. (2013) on the most recent annual reports, stand-alone sustainability reports, and corporate websites, the study finds that 45 companies (out of 90) made some form of carbon disclosure.Japan leads the sample with 60% of reporting companies, followed by China (58%), and India (41%). The average of disclosure score is 10.50% indicating a low level of disclosure. Most of the disclosures are pertaining to climate change risks and actions taken (40% of the sample companies), detailed plans or strategies to reduce GHG emissions (30%), and total GHG emissions (23%).Considering that electricity generating companies are the major contributor to carbon emissions build-up and the prospect of corporate disclosures in reducing carbon emissions, such a low disclosure by companies in the top emitting countries could lead the mission to reduce global emissions by 2020to crumble.

This study examines the corporate social responsibility (CSR) content of top 5 Malaysian public listed banks’ annual and sustainability reports over a 10 years period from 2005 to 2014 using content analysis. Motivated by the gap among prior CSR reporting studies in respect of banking industry as well as longitudinal sample, this study sets out to note the ways in which corporate reports have changed over the years in response to Malaysia government initiatives on CSR. The study finds an upward trend of CSR reporting after the launched of Bursa Malaysia CSR framework as well as the Bursa Malaysia mandatory requirement to disclose CSR information. Whilst determining the exact factors leading to these changes is beyond the scope of this study, it can be concluded that the increase reporting of CSR information provides an indication that the 5 banks are working on legitimizing its position in the society by disclosing information consistent with the requirement by the regulators.