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This study aims to assess the effect of material internal control weaknesses (MICW) on the relationship between ownership structures and future-oriented disclosure.

A total number of 197 firms were assessed in this study during 2014–2021. Two measures were used for MICW. First, the number of existing MICW was assessed in independent auditors’ reports. In Iran, the maximum number of weaknesses is 13. Second, the scoring (0 or 1) method was used as a dummy variable, 1 for a firm with MICW and otherwise 0. Moreover, the scoring (0 or 1) method was used to measure the level of future-oriented disclosure of 13 indicators.

The findings showed that institutional ownership and managerial ownership have a significant positive effect on future-oriented disclosure, whereas the MICW have a significant negative effect on future-oriented disclosure. In addition, MICW played a moderator role in the relationship between ownership structures and future-oriented disclosure. The robustness checks confirmed the results.

As the studies conducted on future-oriented disclosure and the contributing factors are limited, and also the effect of MICW on future-oriented disclosure is not explored, the present findings can show the importance of the study, and fill the gap in this field. This study offers theoretical and practical implications to drive policymakers and managers to the effectiveness of internal control and future-oriented transparency.

This study aims to investigate the impact of market competitiveness on investment efficiency, and the moderating role of ownership and regulatory structures.

In this study, the Herfindahl–Hirschman Index (HHI), Lerner Index (LI) and industry-adjusted Lerner Index (LIIA) were used to measure market competitiveness. The research population consisted of companies listed on Tehran Stock Exchange (TSE). Using a systematic elimination, 199 companies were selected within eight years during 2014–2021.

The results showed that market competitiveness (based on the LI, LIIA and HHI) positively affected investment efficiency. Moreover, institutional ownership and managerial ownership affected the relationship between market competitiveness (based on all proxies of market competitiveness) and investment efficiency. Blockholders’ ownership also moderated the relationship between market competitiveness (based on LIIA and HHI) and investment efficiency. The hypothesis testing had robustness based on additional analyses.

In recent years, competitive environment and the ownership structure of companies have changed to a certain degree, paving the way for the private sector to enter many areas of activity especially in emerging Asian markets. Moreover, investment drivers and investment efficiency in developed markets may not be generalized to emerging Asian markets. Therefore, the present findings can show the significance of this research to fill the existing gap in the literature and provide insights into ownership and regulatory structures as a governance mechanism in market competitiveness and investment efficiency.

This study aims to examine the impact of working capital management (WCM) on firm performance. The authors pursue innovation by exploring how the level of financial constraints shapes the impact of WCM on corporate performance.

In this study, the generalized method of moments (GMM) is used to analyze a sample of 753 firms listed on ten Middle East and North Africa (MENA) emerging markets.

The authors' empirical analysis demonstrates that financially constrained firms are coerced to adopt an aggressive WCM approach to reduce investment in working capital, minimize financing costs and improve financial performance despite the risks associated with this strategy. Contrarily, financially unconstrained firms, uphold a high level of investments in working capital to grow sales and improve financial performance. The authors' results strongly reject the “one size fits all” approach of WCM. The authors assert that the degree of financial constraints largely defines the firm's optimal WCM approach.

The authors' study reveals to financial managers the importance of adopting an appropriate WCM strategy that fits firm-specific characteristics and financial flexibility. The authors' results urge policy makers to ease access to financing to all firms to enhance both their financial flexibility and ability to respond efficiently to emerging investment opportunities as well as develop resilience to economic slumps.

To the best knowledge of the authors, this is the first study that explores WCM and financial constraints in MENA emerging markets.

This study aims to investigate the relationship between stock liquidity, future investment, future investment efficiency and the moderating effect of financial constraints.

To serve the purpose of the study, the data of 178 companies listed on the Tehran Stock Exchange in 2012–2017 were examined. In this research, two Amihud liquidity and stock trading turnover measures were taken for the liquidity. Due to variance heterogeneity, the FGLS test was used. Moreover, a modified multiple regression analysis was used to investigate the moderating role of financial constraints.

The results showed a significant positive relationship between the firm stock liquidity in the current year and the next year investment; the firm stock liquidity (based on the stock trading turnover) in the current year and the next two years’ investment; the firm stock liquidity (based on the trading turnover index) in the current year and the next year investment efficiency; and the firm stock liquidity (based on the stock trading turnover) in the current year and the next two years’ investment efficiency. Moreover, financial constraints negatively moderated the relationship of firm stock liquidity (based on trading turnover index) in the current year and investment in the next year; investment in the next two years; investment efficiency in the next year; and investment efficiency in the next two years.

Given the importance of investment and investment efficiency in emerging markets especially in Asian emerging markets, and because the predicted impacts through financing constraints are usually unclear, this paper attempted to fill the existing gap and be innovative in this regard.

This study aims to present a research model to investigate the potential impact of human capital, structural capital and social capital on e-banking proactiveness. In addition, it reveals the potential impact of e-banking proactiveness on competitive intelligence and competitive agility. Also, it aims to explore the impact of competitive intelligence on competitive advantage and competitive agility. Finally, the impact of competitive agility on competitive advantage will be examined.

In order to gather data, a questionnaire was prepared and administered to 211 respondents in Jordan. The research model and hypotheses were then assessed using Structural Equation Modeling – Partial Least Squares (SEM-PLS).

The study demonstrated a significant impact of human capital, structural capital and social capital on e-banking proactiveness. The findings confirm that e-banking proactiveness significantly impacts competitive intelligence and achieving competition. Moreover, the findings confirm that competitive intelligence significantly impacts competitive agility. Also, the findings revealed a substantial relationship between competitive intelligence and competitive advantage. Finally, the results discovered that competitive agility significantly impacts competitive advantage.

The research gives valuable insights into the elements that drive e-banking proactiveness, which can beautify the proactiveness literature is well-known. By uncovering the position of intellectual capital in fostering proactiveness, this examination contributes to deeper information on the way financial institutions can successfully respond to market modifications, patron needs and technological advancements. Future scholars can build upon these findings to discover proactiveness in different sectors and industries, thereby broadening the understanding of proactive behaviors throughout numerous contexts.

The digital transformation of family-owned small businesses (F-OSBs) has become a critical area of research to maintain their economic contribution in today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape. This study examines the effect of internet entrepreneurial self-efficacy on the digital transformation of F-OSBs by mediating strategic agility and moderating artificial intelligence usage.

This study employed a cross-sectional survey design to collect primary data from 378 descendent entrepreneurs of F-OSBs in Pakistan’s five major cities.

The study revealed that leadership ability, internet marketing, technology utilization, and artificial intelligence used by the F-OSBs can contribute to their digital transformation, but e-commerce ability does not. The strategic agility of the descendant entrepreneur enhances the abilities of e-commerce, leadership, and technology utilization, leading to the digital transformation of F-OSB. However, strategic agility reduces the role of Internet marketing in digital transformation. Artificial intelligence usage moderates leadership’s ability to improve strategic agility but increases technology utilization for strategic agility and digital transformation of F-OSB.

The digital transformation through a combination of strategic agility and artificial intelligence can increase the F-OSBs' proactive approach to respond to changing market conditions even during economic recessions like COVID-19.

This study broadens the existing literature by examining the effect of descendent entrepreneur’s internet entrepreneurial self-efficacy, strategic agility, artificial intelligence usage, and their interplay on the digital transformation of F-OSB through the unified theory of acceptance and the use of technology.

E-commerce expands product and service reach, emphasizing the need for strategic market approaches to enhance e-service quality and drive sales growth. This paper aims to assess the relationship between the perceived quality of e-commerce platforms (characterized by measures of order and return convenience), customer satisfaction with online shopping and repurchase intention from online stores as well as examine whether demographic variables such as age, gender and area of residency (urban/rural) influence the ratings of each of these variables.

An online, self-administered survey gathered 108 valid responses from e-commerce customers. Data were analyzed in Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) and Analysis of Moment Structures (AMOS) through principal component analysis, confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling (SEM) as well as correlation, descriptive statistics, difference of means tests and nonlinear regression.

Online shopping on e-commerce platforms is seen as convenient for both placing orders and managing returns. Additionally, consumers express satisfaction with their online shopping experiences and exhibit a strong intention to repurchase. The analysis revealed linear relationships between order convenience and customer satisfaction, between order convenience and repurchase intention and nonlinear relationships between return convenience, customer satisfaction and repurchase intention. No significant difference was found between the way the demographic variables rated the convenience, satisfaction and repurchase intention constructs.

This study contributes to the empirical literature on service quality in e-commerce by providing a streamlined model of the interactions among the factors as well as by isolating the nonlinear relationships and comparing results across three demographic variables. From a managerial standpoint, the findings suggest that strategies aimed at providing complete qualitative information and enhancing order and return convenience improve customer satisfaction and foster repurchase intention.

Tech start-ups (TSs) functioning in different domains have a responsibility of ensuring that domestic knowledge and capabilities are leveraged to minimize dependence on foreign organizations. Despite the growth of the ecosystem, while numerous TSs emerge, very few of them are able to survive, and of those that survive, very few scale up. The aim of this study is to identify the factors influencing the competitiveness of technological start-ups and to study the interrelationship and interdependence of these factors.

Modified total interpretative structural modeling (m-TISM) was employed for the current research. The analysis of what factors have an effect on competitiveness, how they affect it and why they affect it should be explored. The study begins by developing the list of factors through literature search, and further it is validated by expert opinion. A hierarchical model has been developed using m-TISM and MICMAC analysis to analyze the driving and dependency power of factors at each level.

Results show that the competitiveness of TSs is affected by organizational agility and internationalization. Factors present at the bottom level, namely entrepreneurial intensity, act as a strong driver for TSs. Team member commitment, transformational leadership, strategic alliances, knowledge sharing and organizational ambidexterity are middle-level factors.

This study is among the few articles that have explored competitiveness of TSs in the Indian context.

This study investigates how the maximum cultural intelligence (Max CQ) within a team – defined as the highest cultural intelligence level of an individual member – affects intra-team communication, conflict dynamics and, ultimately, team satisfaction and performance in global virtual teams (GVTs).

Utilizing quantitative research methods, this investigation draws on a dataset comprising 3,385 participants, which forms a total of 686 GVTs.

The study reveals that MaxCQ significantly enhances team communication, which in turn mitigates conflict, increases satisfaction and improves performance. It is noteworthy that the influence of MaxCQ on GVT success is more significant than the average cultural intelligence (CQ) of team members, providing critical insights for effective GVT management strategies.

The findings suggest that managers may optimize team dynamics not by uniformly increasing each member’s CQ but by concentrating on maximizing the CQ of one individual who can act as an influencer within the team. Strategically placing individuals with high CQ in GVTs can enhance overall team function.

While existing literature primarily examines the individual effects of CQ on communication and conflict management, this study sheds light on the collective interplay between MaxCQ, communication and conflict. It highlights the importance of MaxCQ, along with the frequency of team communication and conflict, in influencing team satisfaction and performance in GVTs.

This paper aims to investigate whether managerial overconfidence has an impact on investment inefficiency beyond its influence on the use of internal financing or whether internal financing behaves as a full intermediary.

The study employed three dependent variables, namely business investment scale, overinvestment and underinvestment, and analyzed data from 282 firms across five different industries listed in 11 Middle East/North Africa (MENA) countries between 2013 and 2019 using regression analysis via least square dummy variable (LSDV).

The findings indicate that while internal financing can provide funding for investment opportunities and address capital shortages, it may also result in overinvestment, particularly in companies led by overconfident managers.

Stakeholders, including shareholders and board of directors, should pay attention to the chief executive officer (CEO)'s behavioral aspects such as overconfidence in decision-making while undertaking new investment projects. Additionally, regulators and policymakers in emerging markets like MENA should re-evaluate the corporate governance framework, devise a corporate governance index and promote boardroom gender diversity as it can significantly reduce risk.

This study adds to the limited research on the impact of managerial overconfidence on investment efficiency in the MENA region. By focusing on this region, which has unique economic, political and social characteristics, the study provides new insights into the role of behavioral biases in investment decision-making in emerging markets.