Rahime Zaman Fashami, Manijeh Haghighinasab, Nader Seyyedamiri and Pari Ahadi
Claretha Hughes, Lionel Robert, Kristin Frady and Adam Arroyos
Financial communication refers to the strategies and practices employed by companies to share financial information and engage with investors, stakeholders and the broader…
Abstract
Financial communication refers to the strategies and practices employed by companies to share financial information and engage with investors, stakeholders and the broader financial community. At its core lies investor relations management (IRM), focused on achieving effective two-way communication between the company and these groups for fair valuation of securities. Key financial communication activities include investor meetings, earnings calls, roadshows, annual reports, market analysis and crisis communication. Moreover. stakeholder theory emphasizes identifying and managing relationships with all individuals and entities that can affect or be affected by the company's operations. Stakeholders include shareholders, employees, creditors, suppliers, communities, regulators etc., classified as primary (essential) or secondary (indirectly involved). Proactive stakeholder engagement is crucial for achieving corporate objectives. Additionally, investor relations (IR) specifically deal with managing interactions with shareholders, creditors and potential investors through information dissemination, utilizing finance, marketing and communication techniques. Implementation channels include regulated disclosures, shareholder meetings, media engagement and forums. Other covered aspects include crisis communication strategies, corporate reputation management, internal communication practices, transparency and disclosure guidelines and legal/ethical considerations surrounding corporate communication. Overall, robust financial communication capabilities are vital for corporate success, reputation building and sustainable growth in today's competitive landscape.
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Moosung Lee, Jenny Dean and Yeonjeong Kim
Using data from the Children of Immigrants Longitudinal Study, this study examines the structural relationships between negative school social relationships, school safety…
Abstract
Using data from the Children of Immigrants Longitudinal Study, this study examines the structural relationships between negative school social relationships, school safety, educational expectation, and academic achievement of Latino immigrant students. Results from multilevel structural equation modeling show that discrimination, unhelpful school social relationships, and experiences of unsafe school environments influence Latino immigrant adolescents’ academic achievement indirectly and directly through their educational expectations. Specifically, this study explores how noncognitive and contextual factors embedded in different structural layers of school organization influence Latino immigrant adolescents’ academic achievement. It draws attention to the impact of negative school factors such as discriminatory and unsupportive school social relationships, and negative and unsafe school structures that undermine school life. Based on our findings, we argue that as Latino immigrant students internalize negative experiences from their school experiences during the critical period of adolescence, such accumulated negative internalization may reinforce negative self-perceptions and inaccurate stereotypes. Not only discrimination but also other negative school features such as the absence of academic supporters, nonacademically oriented friends, and unsafe learning environments inhibit them from navigating positive school opportunities and ultimately, successful school achievement. Implications for the social organization of U.S. public secondary schools with a focus on Latino immigrant adolescents’ academic achievement are discussed.
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This chapter analyzes the role of grassroots organizations as natural helping systems for women’s empowerment in the rural areas of central Mexico. For almost three decades…
Abstract
This chapter analyzes the role of grassroots organizations as natural helping systems for women’s empowerment in the rural areas of central Mexico. For almost three decades, productive projects have been the preferred strategy by the Mexican government in order to alleviate extreme poverty and promote women’s empowerment. Even if the impact of productive projects on women’s empowerment has been limited, grassroots organizations are created in order to have access to financial resources that have promoted the collective dimension of women’s empowerment. Through semi-structured interviews and participatory observation, this study retrieves the experience of women’s leadership, frustrated by changing public policy, local corruption, and political use of the social policy. In those difficult circumstances, grassroots organizations are fundamental tools for women’s well-being as they promote a specific understanding of empowerment, where family, community, and relatedness are values more important than competition and individualistic achievements.
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Nagla Elshemy, Hamada Mashaly and Shimaa Elhadad
This study aims to observe the coloring efficacy of graphite (G) and nano bentonite clay (BCNPs) on the adsorption of Basic Blue 5 dye from residual dye bath solution.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to observe the coloring efficacy of graphite (G) and nano bentonite clay (BCNPs) on the adsorption of Basic Blue 5 dye from residual dye bath solution.
Design/methodology/approach
Some factors that affected the adsorption processes were examined and found to have significant impacts on the adsorption capacity such as the initial concentration of G and/or BCNPs (Co: 40–2,320 mg/L), adsorbent bath pH (4–9), shaking time (30–150 min.) and initial dye concentration (40–200 mg/L). The adsorption mechanism of dye by using G and/or BCNPs was studied using two different models (first-pseudo order and second-pseudo order diffusion models). The equilibrium adsorption data for the dye understudy was analyzed by using four different models (Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin modle and Dubinin–Radushkevich) models.
Findings
It has been found that the adsorption kinetics follow rather a pseudo-first-order kinetic model with a determination coefficient (R2) of 0.99117 for G and 0.98665 for BCNPs. The results indicate that the Freundlich model provides the best correlation for G with capacities q_max = 2.33116535 mg/g and R2 = 0.99588, while the Langmuir model provides the best correlation for BCNPs with R2 = 0.99074. The adsorbent elaborated from BCNPs was found to be efficient and suitable for removing basic dyes rather than G from aqueous solutions due to its availability, good adsorption capability, as well as low-cost preparation.
Research limitations/implications
There is no research limitation for this work. Basic Blue 5 dye graphite (G) and nano bentonite clay (BCNPs) were used.
Practical implications
This work has practical applications for the textile industry. It is concluded that using graphite and nano bentonite clay can be a possible alternative to adsorb residual dye from dye bath solution and can make the process greener.
Social implications
Socially, it has a good impact on the ecosystem and global community because the residual dye does not contain any carcinogenic materials.
Originality/value
The work is original and contains value-added products for the textile industry and other confederate fields.
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Libardo José Ariza and Fernando León Tamayo Arboleda
In this chapter, we show how physical violence is a central part of the prison experience in Latin America. Such a violence is perceived both a legally admitted and forbidden…
Abstract
In this chapter, we show how physical violence is a central part of the prison experience in Latin America. Such a violence is perceived both a legally admitted and forbidden practice. In this sense, corporal punishment appears not as an imperfection, but rather an ordinary element of punitive power in the region. This strange existence of corporal punishment as permitted and forbidden violence ends up by legitimizing the punishment of the inmates in their physical body and their existence as a subject of law. This juxtaposition places prisoners’ bodies “betwixt and between” the natural world and the normative world of punishment. Thus, the life of prisoners is protected by law. Their indemnity is recognized, and their fundamental rights are guaranteed. However, at the same time, their lives are expendable.
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Nurizaty Zuhan, Mariyana Aida Ab Kadir, Muhammad Najmi Mohamad Ali Mastor, Shek Poi Ngian and Abdul Rahman Mohd. Sam
Concrete-filled steel hollow (CFHS) column is an innovation to improve the performance of concrete or steel column. It is believed to have high compressive strength, good…
Abstract
Purpose
Concrete-filled steel hollow (CFHS) column is an innovation to improve the performance of concrete or steel column. It is believed to have high compressive strength, good plasticity and is excellent for seismic and fire performance as compared to hollow steel column without a filler.
Design/methodology/approach
Experimental and numerical investigation has been carried out to study the performance of CFHS having different concrete in-fill and shape of steel tube.
Findings
In this paper, an extensive review of experiment performed on CFHS columns at elevated temperature is presented in different types of concrete as filling material. There are three different types of concrete filling used by the researchers, such as normal concrete (NC), reinforced concrete and pozzolanic-fly ash concrete (FC). A number of studies have conducted experimental investigation on the performance of NC casted using recycled aggregate at elevated temperature. The research gap and the recommendations are also proposed. This review will provide basic information on an innovation on steel column by application of in-filled materials.
Research limitations/implications
Design guideline is not considered in this paper.
Practical implications
Fire resistance is an important issue in the structural fire design. This can be a guideline to define the performance of the CFHS with different type of concrete filler at various exposures.
Social implications
Utilization of waste fly ash reduces usage of conventional cement (ordinary Portland cement) in concrete production and enhances its performance at elevated temperature. The new innovation in CFHS columns with FC can reduce the cost of concrete production and at the same time mitigate the environmental issue caused by waste material by minimizing the disposal area.
Originality/value
Review on the different types of concrete filler in the CFHS column. The research gap and the recommendations are also proposed.
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Laura Girella, Stefano Zambon and Paola Rossi
The role that the board can have in influencing the adoption of non-financial reporting (NFR) by companies is a topic that has raised interest in the recent literature. However…
Abstract
Purpose
The role that the board can have in influencing the adoption of non-financial reporting (NFR) by companies is a topic that has raised interest in the recent literature. However, very few have so far been said on the logic that underpins the selection by corporate boards of a particular model (sustainability and/or integrated). This study aims to examine if and to what extent board characteristics may influence the choice of companies to voluntarily publish a sustainability report, an integrated report or both of them, and if moderating variables, relating to incentives towards corporate transparency, may have an influence. Both of these types of reporting tools are in fact aimed at improving company disclosure towards sustainable development.
Design/methodology/approach
Through a multi-nomial regression analysis, this study tests the assumptions in a sample of companies listed on the Eurostoxx600 that adopt integrated or sustainability reporting or both of them for the period 2015–2018 for a total of 2,103 firm-years observations.
Findings
The results reveal that sustainability reporting is associated with board independence only, whilst the adoption of integrated reporting is influenced by board size and board independence. The same two variables influence also those companies that jointly adopt both sustainability and an integrated report. This confirms that integrated reporting requires more competencies and monitoring to be adopted. Furthermore, the results provide evidence that information asymmetry and financial constraints influence the decision of companies to publish the integrated report, sustainability report or both, whilst growth opportunities do not. Hence, moderating variables can have a role in explaining this association, and especially those that are related to the firm’s incentives related to the provision of financial capital by investors.
Research limitations/implications
This study contributes to the literature in three ways. First, it proposes an incremental analysis of the relationship between board characteristics and voluntary disclosure of integrated reporting, considering the effects of moderating variables on this association. Second, the above relationship is examined in a comparative way vis-à-vis the adoption of sustainability reporting. Third, it demonstrates that the analysis of these reporting tools can benefit from an understanding that relies on both agency and stakeholder theories, that have to be conceived somehow complementary. In terms of limitations, this study is exclusively focussed on larger European listed firms, and therefore, the findings may not be valid for small and medium firms and for companies operating outside Europe.
Practical implications
This study provides useful insights for managers and policymakers to better understand which are the characteristics of the board composition that can best encourage a company to pursue a reporting strategy based on sustainable development. This results to be particularly relevant and timely in the European context if the authors take into consideration the developments of the European Parliament and Commission towards the launch of a new legislative proposal on sustainable corporate governance in 2021.
Originality/value
The study contributes to the existing literature in two ways. First, it offers a unique perspective on the direct and indirect effects of board characteristics on the adoption of integrated and/or sustainability reports by examining it in a comparative perspective. Second, it further demonstrates that the analysis of NFR and especially integrated reporting might benefit from the adoption of multiple conceptual lenses, in this case, agency and stakeholder theories.