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This study examines joint audits’ impact on financial statement timeliness in emerging markets in Kuwait.

We use a sample of nonfinancial firms listed on the Kuwait Stock Exchange from 2000 to 2020.

We find that joint audits are significantly negatively associated with financial statements’ timeliness. This suggests that firms employing two auditors (joint audits) issue their financial statements in relatively shorter periods. Our results are robust and consistent with our initial findings, even after assessing the impacts of the Big 4, profitability and firm size on them.

The findings show that mandating joint audits decreases audit report lag (ARL). We recommend that regulators and policymakers consider the potential implications of removing mandated joint audits, such as longer ARL.

This study contributes to the limited literature on joint audits and timeliness by exploring their relationship in the context of listed nonfinancial firms in an emerging market. The findings contribute to the ongoing debate about the costs and benefits of joint audits by showing the improvement of financial reporting timelines. Our findings assist regulators and policymakers in determining whether to implement or abolish joint audits.

Moving into digital transformation, the development and implementation of smart cities have gained global attention, including in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. The aim of this chapter primarily rests on the innovation and sustainability of the implemented smart cities, considering the advantages and benefits gained from the utilization of the latest technologies. It also tackles the challenges faced by these countries in managing smart cities and the processes involved in addressing these challenges toward their resolution. The main contribution of this chapter is to highlight the innovative platforms initiated by Gulf nations on smart cities by modeling transformation and development toward Vision 2040. In the form of a narrative account, the contribution extends to assessing the present status of innovativeness and development through smart cities as a baseline for future development directions in the Gulf region. Documentary evidence was solicited from government reports, private agency documents and files, journals, and newspapers to address the chapter’s objectives. Findings revealed that sustainability issues are prevalent and may impact future management and control of its operations. Key recommendations include the intensification of policies and regulations toward smart cities through information and communication technology maximization in the areas of transportation, education, healthcare, government services, infrastructure, and urban planning. Heightened laws and policies to address privacy and security, water, energy, technological infrastructure, overcrowding and traffic congestion, and funding. More collaborative efforts should be made by the different stakeholders, such as the government, private companies, non-government organizations, and individual experts, to ensure the smart city’s sustainable operations.