Nadeem M. Firoz, Ahmad S. Maghrabi and Ki Hee Kim
In every country, specific cultures exist. In comparison most businesses have a variety of different cultures because there are different people working within the company. People…
Abstract
In every country, specific cultures exist. In comparison most businesses have a variety of different cultures because there are different people working within the company. People with the same religion, language, beliefs and values share a culture. This, in turn, is shared with all types of people in the same cultural system. Here the author examines the art of managing people who are from different cultures, taking into account their different set of values, traditions, and ways of achieving various goals. It exposes some of the problems inherent in the host (local) country where a home (parent company) manager refuses or is incapable of internalizing the local culture in which the expatriate operates. Business tactics are enforced and implemented differently depending on the culture the decision‐maker is from. Therefore, one should always think globally and act locally.
Hechem Ajmi, Hassaneddeen Abd Aziz, Salina Kassim and Walid Mansour
The purpose of this paper is to determine the optimal profit-and-loss sharing (PLS)-based contract when market frictions occur.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to determine the optimal profit-and-loss sharing (PLS)-based contract when market frictions occur.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper opts for an adverse selection analysis and Monte Carlo simulation to assess the less risky contract for the principal and the agent when musharakah, mudarabah and venture capital financings are used in imperfect markets. Furthermore, this framework enables us to capture the level of market frictions that the principal can bear and the level of audit that he/she may undertake to mitigate bankruptcy.
Findings
The simulation results reveal that Musharakah is the less risky contract for the principal compared to Mudarabah and venture capital when the shock is low and high. Furthermore, our findings indicate that the increase of market frictions engender higher audit cost and profit-sharing ratios. The increase of the safety index in the case of high shock is most likely attributed to the increase of the audit parameter for all contracts to mitigate the selfish behavior of the agent. Accordingly, the principal tends to require a higher profit-sharing ratio to compensate for the severer information asymmetry.
Research limitations/implications
This paper has two main limits. First, the results were not compared to real data because the latter are not available. Second, this paper is a general framework to determine the less risky contract for the principal and does not consider the firm and sectoral characteristics. However, it can be extended in various ways where stress can be put on conflicts of interest between the principal and the agent with the aim to determine the contract that aligns their interests. In addition, the examination of firm dynamics in the case of equity and debt financing can provide further arguments for economic agents regarding the value of the firm, the growth rate and the lifetime of the project when information is asymmetrically distributed.
Practical implications
The findings shed some light on the necessity of the Islamic finance experts to re-think of the promotion of Musharakah because it dominates the two other contracts when market frictions occur.
Social implications
Although Maghrabi and Mirakhor (2015), Alanzi and Lone (2015) and Lone and Ahmad (2017) among others showed that profit and loss sharing can ensure economic growth, findings may motivate economic players to consider Musharakah financing with the aim to reach financial inclusion and social, which is in line with Shari’ah requirements and Islamic values.
Originality/value
Although several papers highlighted the financial contracting theory from Shari’ah perspective, they ignored the financial issues that are associated to adverse selection. This paper provides theoretical evidence regarding the selection of the less risky financing mode in case of equity financing using Monte Carlo simulation.
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Norshidah Mohamed, Ramlah Hussein, Nurul Hidayah Ahmad Zamzuri and Hanif Haghshenas
The purpose of this paper is to provide insights into individual's online shopping continuance intention. The research uses the Expectation Confirmation Theory and Technology…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to provide insights into individual's online shopping continuance intention. The research uses the Expectation Confirmation Theory and Technology Acceptance Model as theoretical foundations to develop a model to achieve this aim.
Design/methodology/approach
The research uses a cross-sectional survey research design approach. An online marketplace web site that connects buyers and sellers in Malaysia serves as the research context. Data were collected using convenience approach.
Findings
Results suggest satisfaction contributes to individual online shopping continuance intention. Consistent with extant research, perceived usefulness of web site links to online shopping continuance intention. Contrary to past findings, perceived ease of web site use does not directly contribute to online shopping continuance intention. Individual's price-oriented lifestyle, perceived ease of web site use and usefulness contributed to individual's satisfaction with online shopping experience. People with time-oriented, net-oriented and price-oriented lifestyles and preference for a web site contribute to perceived ease of web site use. Extraverts have online shopping intention while emotional stability moderates the relationship between perceived usefulness of web site and satisfaction in online shopping.
Originality/value
Findings aid web service provider and internet retailers when explaining individual continuance intention of online shopping. This research advances understanding of the role of satisfaction, perceived ease of web site use and perceived web site usefulness regarding online shopping continuance intention. The research also sheds light on individual attributes as contributors to online shopping experience, continuance and perceptions of web site.
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Abdalla Hagen, Semere Haile and Ahmad Maghrabi
This study investigated the impact of the type of strategy on the type of environmental scanning activity of Egyptian CEOs at Egyptian banks. Results indicated that CEOs with a…
Abstract
This study investigated the impact of the type of strategy on the type of environmental scanning activity of Egyptian CEOs at Egyptian banks. Results indicated that CEOs with a cost‐leadership strategy were involved in environmental scanning activities that provide information concerning threats. Their counterparts with a differentiation strategy were involved in environmental scanning activities that provide information concerning opportunities.
The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the existing disclosure literature by examining the determinants of corporate risk disclosure (CRD) in the internet reporting for a…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the existing disclosure literature by examining the determinants of corporate risk disclosure (CRD) in the internet reporting for a sample of Egyptian listed companies on the Egyptian Stock Exchange (EGX).
Design/methodology/approach
This study depends on a sample of 76 Egyptian companies included in the EGX 100 in the period 2012-2014. The study applies a content analysis and uses a sentence-based method to measure CRD in the internet reporting. Ordinary least-squares regression analysis is used to examine the impact of firm and board characteristics on CRD in the internet reporting.
Findings
The empirical analysis shows that large Egyptian companies tend to disclose more risk information in their internet reporting. Moreover, the results indicate that there is a significant positive association between sector type and CRD in the internet reporting. The results show non-significant association between CRD and other firm characteristics (cross listing and level of risk). Finally, there are no significant associations between CRD and board characteristics variables (board size, board composition and CEO duality).
Research limitations/implications
The study’s findings have practical implications. It aids in informing policy makers considering implementing new economic reform programs about the properties of Egyptian companies that disclose risk information in their internet reporting. It provides insights on CRD in Egyptian companies for standards setters and professional authorities to improve risk reporting practices to help stakeholders in making good decisions.
Originality/value
This study is one of the first studies to examine the determinants of CRD in the internet reporting for a sample of Egyptian companies.
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Kamarul Zaman Bin Ahmad, Sajjad M. Jasimuddin and Wang Ling Kee
The purpose of this paper is to provide some insights on the interplay of organizational climate and job satisfaction, taking personality traits as a moderator.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to provide some insights on the interplay of organizational climate and job satisfaction, taking personality traits as a moderator.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper reviews the extant literature from which it develops a theoretical model which is then tested empirically in the Malaysian context, using hierarchical regression methodology.
Findings
The results imply that there are moderating effects of personality traits on the relationship between certain aspects of organizational climate and job satisfaction.
Research limitations/implications
The cross-sectional nature of this study inhibits the testing of causality between the variables. The research model and hypotheses were tested, using data drawn only from companies operating in a single country.
Practical implications
The paper provides valuable information to leaders and managers in understanding which personality works better in the potential casual linkage between organizational climate and overall job satisfaction. This paper also helps practitioners to understand better why the same climate can have different impacts on different people.
Originality/value
It contributes to the conceptualization of the organizational climate by emphasizing Litwin and Stringer’s (1968) dimensions of organizational climate as the important determinants of the job satisfaction. Moreover, it expands the traditional discussion by incorporating the personal traits that moderates the relationship between organizational climate and the job satisfaction.
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Sutan Emir Hidayat and Ahmad Rafiki
This study aims to analyze the level of customer awareness of Islamic Banks’ activities toward corporate social responsibility (CSR) in the Kingdoms of Bahrain and Saudi Arabia…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to analyze the level of customer awareness of Islamic Banks’ activities toward corporate social responsibility (CSR) in the Kingdoms of Bahrain and Saudi Arabia and test whether both groups have similarities or not. The outcome of this study determines the extent to which customer awareness regarding Islamic banking activities furthering the betterment of society and achieving socioeconomic goals beyond their financial objectives.
Design/methodology/approach
Quantitative methods are used in this study covering Islamic Banks in both the Kingdoms of Bahrain and Saudi Arabia; using a survey questionnaire distributed to a total of 150 customers in the Kingdom of Bahrain and 100 customers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The weighted means are calculated, and statistical tests are used, such as, Kruskal–Wallis H and independent sample tests, in analyzing the data.
Findings
The results of the survey reveal that the level of customer awareness is generally low in terms of the pursuit of corporate social responsibilities by the Islamic Banks. The significant statistical difference in the data gathered from the sample is highlighted when they are grouped according to their respective banks. It proves that the level of customer awareness varies considerably among the Islamic banks in the survey. It was also found that there is no significant difference between the two groups of Islamic banks’ customers in the two countries in terms of their awareness toward the CSR practices of the Islamic banks.
Originality/value
The findings of this study could be used to aid policymakers in the field of CSR of Islamic banks to formulate a more efficient set of CSR activities that are better aligned with the ultimate goal of achieving society’s betterment. This study may also facilitate Islamic banks in the region to set up strategies that highlight their CSR efforts and raise the awareness levels of their customers.
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Rosa Eidizadeh, Reza Salehzadeh and Ali Chitsaz Esfahani
This paper aims to study the role of business intelligence, knowledge sharing and organisational innovation on gaining competitive advantage.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to study the role of business intelligence, knowledge sharing and organisational innovation on gaining competitive advantage.
Design/methodology/approach
The statistical population of the study was the managers and the specialists of some export companies of which 213 persons participated in this research. Path analysis was carried out to analyse and interpret the data by Amos software.
Findings
The results showed that business intelligence has a positive and significant impact on knowledge sharing, organisational innovation and gaining competitive advantage. Further, business intelligence has a positive and significant effect on competitive advantage through knowledge sharing and organisational innovation. Knowledge sharing impacts gaining competitive advantage positively and significantly. Finally, organisational innovation impacts gaining competitive advantage positively and significantly.
Originality/value
This research highlights the role of business intelligence, knowledge sharing and organisational innovation on gaining competitive advantage in export companies.
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Malek Hamed Alshirah, Ahmad Farhan Alshira’h and Abdalwali Lutfi
This study aims to empirically examine whether the political connection is related to risk disclosure practices. The study also seeks to contribute to the existent risk disclosure…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to empirically examine whether the political connection is related to risk disclosure practices. The study also seeks to contribute to the existent risk disclosure literature by investigating the moderator effect of family ownership on this relationship.
Design/methodology/approach
The content analysis approach was used to collect data and determine the level of risk disclosure over the non-financial Jordanian firms listed on 1Amman Stock Exchange. The sample of this study contains 376 annual reports over four years from 2014 to 2017. It used the random effect regressions to examine the hypothesis of the study.
Findings
The results show that politically connected companies disclose less risk information than the unconnected ones in Jordan. The results also refer that family ownership contributes in mitigating the negative effect of the political connection on the level of corporate risk.
Practical implications
The results have implications for regulatory institutions such as the Jordan Securities Commission to take the negative effect of political connection in their consideration and impose further regulations to monitor this board’s attribute and control politicians’ domination on the board decisions.
Originality/value
The current study also contributes to the body of literature by investigating the effects of the political connections on the level of risk disclosure in the financial reports. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the current study is the first to examine the effect of the political connection on the risk disclosure practices. Moreover, the study is among the first studies that examine the moderating role of family ownership on such relationship.
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Malek Alshirah and Ahmad Alshira’h
The aim of this study is to measure the risk disclosure level and to determine the relationship between ownership structure dimensions (institutional ownership, foreign ownership…
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this study is to measure the risk disclosure level and to determine the relationship between ownership structure dimensions (institutional ownership, foreign ownership and family ownership) and corporate risk disclosure in Jordan.
Design/methodology/approach
This study used a sample of 94 Jordanian listed firms from the Amman Stock Exchange for the period from 2014 to 2017. This study measured risk disclosure using the number of risk-related sentences in the annual report, while random effects regression was used for hypotheses testing.
Findings
The results revealed that family ownership has a negative effect on risk disclosure practices, but institutional ownership, foreign ownership, firm size and leverage have no significant effect on the risk disclosure level.
Practical implications
The finding of this study is more likely be useful for many concerned parties, researchers, authorities, investors and financial analysts alike in understanding the current practices of the risk disclosure in Jordan, thus helping them in reconsidering and reviewing the accounting standards and improving the credibility and transparency of the financial reports in the Jordanian capital market.
Originality/value
This study offers novel evidence detailing the impact of ownership structure toward corporate risk disclosure, its implementation in emerging markets following the minimal amount of scholarly efforts on the topic. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first examination of the impact of ownership structure on corporate risk disclosure. Thus, this study has important implications for the decisions of executives, policymakers, shareholders and lenders, as it enables them to better understand the linkage between ownership structure on corporate risk disclosure.