Mohammad Q. Alshhadat and Krayyem Al-Hajaya
The purpose of this paper is to analyse the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on corporate governance and internal control in general. In addition, this paper attempts to develop a…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to analyse the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on corporate governance and internal control in general. In addition, this paper attempts to develop a new corporate governance model that flexibly addresses conditions like those brought into the business environment by COVID-19.
Design/methodology/approach
Thirteen semi-structured interviews were conducted with chairpersons, CEOs and directors from companies listed on the FTSE 350.
Findings
This study suggests a corporate governance model, which we call Eunomia, which we believe will help businesses to navigate the unusual conditions resulting from COVID-19 and similar types of crises that lead to major disruption for businesses and society. The model includes five pillars that support governance, namely, flexibility, IT infrastructure, risk management, internal control and policies and procedures.
Practical implications
Implications for practice and policymakers. Based on the research outcomes, the authors suggest that the board of directors establishes policies that ensure supply diversity and that businesses do not rely on a single or limited number of suppliers, thereby making themselves vulnerable to supply chain disruption with those suppliers.
Originality/value
This paper presents an original contribution to the accounting literature relating to corporate governance and internal control systems, specifically in terms of how businesses can optimally operate under uncontrollable conditions resulting from pandemics, and similar situations.
Details
Keywords
Mu’men Al Thnaibat, Krayyem Al-Hajaya and Mohammad Q. Alshhadat
This study aims to examine the effect of Islamic governance through Sharia Supervisory Board (SSB) on performance of Islamic banks (IBs). Specifically, it investigates the impact…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine the effect of Islamic governance through Sharia Supervisory Board (SSB) on performance of Islamic banks (IBs). Specifically, it investigates the impact of seven proxies for Islamic governance of SSB (size, number of meetings, independence, financial and accounting experiences, previous experience on SSBs, change in composition and presence of higher Sharia supervision) on the financial performance (return on assets [ROA]) of 28 listed IBs from 10 different Arab countries between 2019 and 2023.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected from the annual reports and other information available on banks’ websites, the websites of central banks and the financial markets.
Findings
OLS regression results indicate that greater member independence, SSB members’ prior expertise and less change in the SSB composition have a significant positive influence on the financial performance of IBs.
Research limitations/implications
The study findings are useful to IBs, and the governing bodies in Islamic countries in terms of emphasizing the importance of maintaining the financial independence of SSBs, appointing expert members and maintaining stability in the composition of SSBs.
Practical implications
The study’s findings offer significant implications for Islamic investment banks and regulatory authorities. These findings highlight the critical importance of maintaining the financial independence of Shariah Supervisory Boards, selecting expert members, and preserving board stability.
Social implications
Policymakers may consider the authors’ recommendations to establish a higher SSB, affiliating this monitoring body with the financial market authority or the monetary authority, to create a sound governance system at the macro level and better enforcement.
Originality/value
This study provides an original contribution to Islamic banking and Islamic governance literature as a cross-countries study, in its consideration of the presence of higher Sharia supervision in the country, alongside members’ financial independence as variables in the effectiveness of SSBs, and as a result on the performance of IBs.
Details
Keywords
Ruba Taleb Alma’aitah, Krayyem Al-Hajaya, Nedal Sawan and Abdulaziz Alzeban
This study aims to investigate the impact of remote auditing on audit quality and explore the moderating role of both the client’s and the audit firm’s technology readiness in…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate the impact of remote auditing on audit quality and explore the moderating role of both the client’s and the audit firm’s technology readiness in this interaction.
Design/methodology/approach
Data was collected through a questionnaire survey distributed to 360 audit professionals in Jordan, resulting in 208 valid responses. The data was analysed using SmartPLS – structural equation modelling.
Findings
The results showed that remote auditing significantly and positively affect audit quality. This study found that the technology readiness of both the audit firm and the client greatly influences audit quality. Notably, the technology readiness of the client positively enhances the relationship between remote auditing and audit quality, while the technology readiness of the audit firm does not play such a role.
Practical implications
The findings are of value to policymakers in terms of the positive impact of remote auditing on audit quality, and the role of technology readiness in this regard. In particular, they allow policymakers and regulators of audit profession to make informed and relevant decisions pertaining to the adoption of remote auditing. The findings also indicate the significance for audit firms and business institutions to pay special attention to developing their technology capabilities to keep abreast of rapid technology advancements, ensuring the maximum benefits for auditing profession, thereby enhancing their efficiency and effectiveness.
Originality/value
The importance of this study lies in its unique contribution to bridging the research gap related to understanding the pivotal role of technology readiness in enhancing the relationship between the use of remote auditing and the achievement of high audit quality.
Details
Keywords
Nedal Sawan, Krayyem Al-Hajaya, Mohammad Alshhadat and Rami Ibrahim A. Salem
Focusing on the quality of teaching and learning, this study aims to explore the perceptions of accountancy students in two emerging UK Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) of the…
Abstract
Purpose
Focusing on the quality of teaching and learning, this study aims to explore the perceptions of accountancy students in two emerging UK Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) of the quality of their learning experiences and the impact of these experiences on generic skills development.
Design/methodology/approach
A questionnaire survey was used to collect the data. OLS regression was used to test the hypothesis regarding the impact of student learning experiences (lecturer ability, assessment and curriculum) on generic skills development.
Findings
Students value the lecturer as the most important determinant of the quality of their experience. They rated their assessment programme very positively, and the curriculum suggests that students tend to experience a deep blended approach to learning. They also felt that they acquired a wide range of soft competency skills such as those associated with research, critical thinking and time management. Multivariate findings indicate that lecturer ability and curriculum contribute significantly and positively to generic skills development.
Practical implications
The study provides a benchmark for international accounting and business educators in any efforts to assess the efficacy of HE delivery since the pandemic. By implication, it enables the identification of enhancements to the previous character of delivery and hence offers the means to direct improvements to the student experience. Such improvements can then be seen in the National Student Survey (NSS) scores, thereby positively contributing to the next Teaching Excellence Framework. Additionally, such tangible enhancements in NSS scores may be advantageous to HEIs, in the UK and other Western countries, in their efforts to recruit international students on whom they place great reliance for increased revenue, to their international business education programmes.
Originality/value
This study addresses the research gap surrounding the link between teaching and learning approaches in accounting and the development of generic skills. Furthermore, acknowledging that the COVID-19 pandemic with its imposed structural change in the HE teaching and learning environment ushered in a new model of curriculum delivery, this study reflects on the pre-COVID-19 scenario and gathers student perceptions of their teaching and learning experiences before the changes necessitated by lockdowns. It therefore brings the opportunity to anchor future research exploring the post-COVID-19 environment and secure comparative analyses.
Details
Keywords
Nedal Sawan, Krayyem Al-Hajaya, Rami Ibrahim A. Salem and Mohammad Alshhadat
This study aims to explore the perceptions of accountancy students on the use of technology, blended learning and flipped classroom in two emerging UK higher education…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to explore the perceptions of accountancy students on the use of technology, blended learning and flipped classroom in two emerging UK higher education institutions (HEIs).
Design/methodology/approach
The primary data for the study were collected using a questionnaire survey and descriptively analysed.
Findings
The findings revealed that there is some use of technology in terms of the Blackboard and PowerPoint presentations but blogs and wikis have very limited use. An aspect that does not seem to be integrated fully yet is the use of blended technology and a flipped classroom.
Practical implications
The study findings offer a picture of how technology, blended learning and the flipped classroom technique were utilised with accountancy students prior to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This information is valuable for accounting educators and by extension to other aspects of business studies disciplines in providing a comparison between the pre-COVID-19 scenario and the current one and thus enabling an evaluation of advancement in the application of these teaching strategies as a result of the pressure imposed by social distancing. Such intelligence will facilitate the identification of areas where enhancing learning outcomes has been possible and point to opportunities for improved student experience.
Originality/value
Where COVID-19 brought about significant structural change in teaching and learning in the HE environment, this study represents a pre-COVID-19 consideration of student perceptions on blended learning and flipped classroom. This study thus has the potential to anchor future relevant studies that consider the post-COVID-19 environment.