Aadel Ali Darrat, Mahmoud Ali Darrat and Mohamad Ali Darrat
The purpose of this research is to shed light on the chain of psychological and behavioral effects that precipitates from a materialistic state of mind. Specifically, this study…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this research is to shed light on the chain of psychological and behavioral effects that precipitates from a materialistic state of mind. Specifically, this study examines the psychological impact of materialism on younger consumers and in turn, their compulsive buying (CB) habits. This study also proposes possible interventions that may enhance consumer resistance to materialism and buying impulses and, ultimately, protect consumers’ mental and financial well-being.
Design/methodology/approach
An online survey was assembled in Qualtrics using reputable scales from extant marketing and psychology literature. The survey was completed by 193 young adults. Structural equation modeling was used to evaluate the proposed model of psychological drivers of CB.
Findings
The results suggest that young, materialistic consumers are at high risk of developing depression. Moreover, obsessive-compulsive (OC) tendencies and impaired self-esteem (SE) resulting from this depression may facilitate and fuel CB addiction. Despite no evidence for a direct link between depression and CB, the results indicate that this particular relationship is fully mediated by OC behavior and low SE.
Social implications
The discussion provides a detailed list of various behavioral modifications to help reduce consumer susceptibility to materialistic values and CB addiction.
Originality/value
This study contributes to consumer research by proposing an alternative conceptualization of the traditionally direct relationship assumed between materialism and CB in the literature. The facilitating roles of depression and its psychological byproducts (i.e. impaired SE and OC disorder) are examined as precursors of CB. Implications and suggestions for consumers battling CB addiction are provided.
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Sajead Mowafaq Alshdaifat, Mohamad Ali Abdul Hamid, Noor Hidayah Ab Aziz, Saidatunur Fauzi Saidin and Mushtaq Yousif Alhasnawi
This study aims to examine the impact of corporate governance (CG) effectiveness measured by board and audit committee index on firm performance of nonfinancial listed firms in…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine the impact of corporate governance (CG) effectiveness measured by board and audit committee index on firm performance of nonfinancial listed firms in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, pre- and during the global crisis of COVID-19.
Design/methodology/approach
The analysis used 2,238 observations from nonfinancial firms listed on GCC countries' stock exchange, covering the period from 2017 to 2022, using a fixed effect panel regression model. The data for this study were manually collected from the annual reports of 373 GCC-listed firms.
Findings
The results demonstrate that the board's effectiveness index has a positive influence solely on accounting-based performance (return on assets) pre- and during the COVID-19 crisis. However, in terms of audit committee effectiveness, the results show a positive impact on market-based performance (Tobin’s Q) both pre- and during the COVID-19 crisis. Additional analysis indicates that the effectiveness of both the board and audit committee is more notable in larger firms compared to smaller firms.
Practical implications
This study is crucial for investors, regulators, managers and governments tackling the financial impacts of global crises like COVID-19. Its comprehensive evaluation of board and audit committee effectiveness guides policymakers and practitioners in enhancing CG for profit and wealth maximization.
Originality/value
This study offers novel evidence detailing the impact of CG effectiveness on firm performance over an extended period, encompassing the COVID-19 period and using a comprehensive index. In addition, this study was conducted in a unique CG setting, focusing on six emerging GCC countries.
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Ali Mohamad Mouazen and Ana Beatriz Hernández-Lara
Smart cities attract efficient and profitable economic activities, contribute to the societal welfare of their citizens and foster the efficient use and conservation of natural…
Abstract
Purpose
Smart cities attract efficient and profitable economic activities, contribute to the societal welfare of their citizens and foster the efficient use and conservation of natural resources. Developing smart cities has become a priority for many developed countries, but as they are preferred destinations for migrants, this raises sustainability issues. They attract people who are seeking a better quality of life, smart services and solutions, a better environment and business activities. The purpose of this paper is to review the state of the art on the relationship between smart cities and migration, with a view to determining sustainability.
Design/methodology/approach
A bibliometric review and text mining analyses were conducted on publications between 2000 and 2019.
Findings
The results determined the main parameters of this research topic in terms of its growth, top journals and articles. The role of sustainability in the relationship between smart cities and migration is also identified, highlighting the special interest of its social dimension.
Originality/value
A bibliometric approach has not been used previously to investigate the link between smart cities and migration. However, given the current relevance of both phenomena, their emergence and growth, this approach is appropriate in determining the state of the art and its main descriptors, with special emphasis on the sustainability implications.
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Ahmed M. Ellakany, Mohamad Ali, Mohamed A. El-Gohary and Mohamed Elkholy
The purpose of this paper is to introduce a numerical model to investigate static response of elastic steel-concrete beams. The numerical model is based on the lumped system with…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to introduce a numerical model to investigate static response of elastic steel-concrete beams. The numerical model is based on the lumped system with the combination of the transfer matrix and the analog beam methods (ABM). The beams are composed of an upper concrete slab and a lower steel beam, connected at the interface by shear transmitting studs. This type of beam is widely used in constructions especially for highway bridges. The static field and point transfer matrices for the element of the elastic composite beam are derived. The present model is verified and is applied to study the static response of elastic composite beams with intermediate conditions. The intermediate condition is considered as an elastic support with various values of stiffness. The elastic support can be considered rigid when the stiffness has very high values. The influence effect of shear stiffness between the upper slab and lower beam, and the end shear restraint on the static behavior of the composite beams is studied. In addition, the change in the stiffness of the elastic support is also highlighted.
Design/methodology/approach
The objective of this study is to introduce a numerical model based on lumped system to calculate the static performance of elastic composite bridge beams having intermediate elastic support by combining the ABM with the transfer matrix method (TMM). The developed model is applicable for studying static and dynamic responses of steel-concrete elastic composite beams with different end conditions taking into account the effect of partial shear interactions. The validity of the lumped mass model is checked by comparing its results with a distributed model and good agreements are achieved (Ellakany and Tablia, 2010).
Findings
A model based on the lumped system of the elastic composite steel-concrete bridge beam with intermediate elastic support under static load is presented. The model takes into consideration the effect of the end shear restraint together with the interaction between the upper slab and the lower beam. Combining the analogical beam method with the TMM and analyzing the behavior of the elastic composite beam in terms of shear studs and stiffness, the following outcomes can be drawn: end shear restraint and stiffness of the shear layer are the two main factors affecting the response of elastic composite beams in terms of both the deflection and the moments. Using end shear restraint reduces the deflection extensively by about 40 percent compared to if it is not used assuming that: there is no interaction between the upper slab and the lower beam and the beam is acting as simply supported. As long as the shear layer stiffness increases or interaction exists, the deflection decreases. This reduced rate in deflection is smaller in case of existence of end shear restraint. The effect of the end shear restraint is more prevailing on reducing the deflections in case of partial interactions. However, its effect completely diminishes in case of complete interaction. Presence of the end shear restraint and shear layer stiffness produces almost the same variations in the components of the bending moments of the composite beam. Finally, for a complete interaction, comparing the case of using end shear restraint or the case without it, the differences in the values of the deflections and moments are almost negligible.
Research limitations/implications
The following assumptions related to the theory of ABM: shear studs connecting both sub-beams are modeled as a thin shear layer, each sub-beam has the same vertical displacement and the shear deformation in the sub-beams is neglected.
Practical implications
The developed model can be effectively used for a quick estimation of the dynamic responses of elastic composite beams in real life rather than utilizing complicated numerical models.
Social implications
The applications of this model can be further extended for studying the behavior of complex bridge beams that will guarantee the safety of the public in a quick view.
Originality/value
Previous models combined the TMM with the ABM for studying the static and free-vibration behaviors of elastic composite beams assuming that the field element is subjected to a distributed load. To study the dynamic response of elastic composite beams subjected to different moving loads using transfer matrix ABM, it was essential to use a massless field element and concentrate the own weight of the beam at the point element. This model is considered a first step for studying the impact factors of elastic composite beams subjected to moving loads.
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Shaker Dahan AL-Duais, Mazrah Malek, Mohamad Ali Abdul Hamid and Amal Mohammed Almasawa
This study aims to investigate the monitoring role of ownership structure (OWS) on real earnings management (REM) practices; previous studies primarily examined the effect of OWS…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate the monitoring role of ownership structure (OWS) on real earnings management (REM) practices; previous studies primarily examined the effect of OWS on accrual-based earnings management.
Design/methodology/approach
The sample of this study is 490 companies listed on the Malaysian Stock Exchange during the period 2013–2016 (1,960 company-year observations). The regression of a feasible generalized least square was used for data analysis. The authors use three regression models ordinary least squares, panel-corrected standard errors and Driscoll–Kraay standard errors to corroborate the findings and also examine alternative REM measures.
Findings
Analysis of the data shows that family, foreign and institutional ownership has a positive link with the quality of financial reporting and, to a large extent, is capable of alleviating REM. The findings also indicate that some form of OWS significantly affects REM, corroborating existing theories on corporate governance (CG) and the perspectives of practitioners.
Practical implications
The evidence concerns the significant role played by the OWS in reducing REM activities. The findings are useful in support of regulatory activities, particularly in the design of policies to regulate the OWS. The results may also provide useful insights to inform other policymakers, investors, shareholders and researchers about the active role of family, foreign and institutional investors in monitoring Malaysia's public listed companies (PLCs) to strengthen CG practices. This also leads to less REM and enhances the quality of financial reporting.
Originality/value
To the authors' knowledge, this work is pioneering research from a developing country, specifically from Malaysia, to investigate the manner in which all possible OWSs influence REM. More importantly, the study recommends that regulators and researchers do not envisage OWS as a holistic phenomenon.
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Ali Mohamad Mouazen, Ana Beatriz Hernández-Lara, Jawad Chahine and Ali Halawi
The purpose of this study is to explore the potential impact of Industry 5.0 on businesses and management by integrating advanced technologies to develop smart cities (Society…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to explore the potential impact of Industry 5.0 on businesses and management by integrating advanced technologies to develop smart cities (Society 5.0) and digital value chains, leading to Innovation 5.0 and triple bottom line sustainability. We propose an Organization Value Chain 5.0 model to describe the ecosystem interactions that leverage organizational innovative behavior through knowledge management.
Design/methodology/approach
Using a systematic literature review methodology, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of 968 Industry 5.0 articles, 297 Innovation 5.0 articles and 510 Society 5.0 articles from the WOS and Scopus databases. This analysis supports the development of our conceptual model.
Findings
This allowed us to propose the conceptual model for the new notion of Organization Value Chain 5.0 and its ecosystem components.
Originality/value
This study provides a detailed analysis of Industry 5.0, its technological elements and its relevance to creating Society 5.0, smart cities and digitalized value chains. It highlights the importance of stakeholder engagement and integration for effective digital industrial transformation.
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Aklima Akter, Wan Fadzilah Wan Yusoff and Mohamad Ali Abdul-Hamid
This study aims to see the moderating effect of board diversity on the relationship between ownership structure and real earnings management.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to see the moderating effect of board diversity on the relationship between ownership structure and real earnings management.
Design/methodology/approach
This study uses unbalanced panel data of 75 listed energy firms (346 firm-year observations) from three South Asian emerging economies (Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan) from 2015 to 2019. The two-step system GMM estimation is used for data analysis. This study also uses fixed effect regression to obtain robust findings.
Findings
The findings show that firms with a greater ownership concentration and managerial ownership significantly reduce real earnings management. In contrast, the data refute the idea that institutional and foreign ownership affect real earnings management. We also find that board diversity interacts significantly with ownership concentration and managerial ownership, meaning that board diversity moderates the negative link of the primary relationship that reduces real earnings management. On the other hand, board diversity has no interaction with institutional and foreign ownership, implying no moderating effect exists on the primary relationship.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is unique research investigating how different ownership structures affect real earnings management in the emerging nations’ energy sector, which the earlier studies overlook. More specifically, this research focuses on how board diversity moderates the relationships between ownership structure and real earnings management, which could be helpful for future investors.
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Ali Mohamad Mouazen and Ana Beatriz Hernández-Lara
The negative consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic and the current economic situation, especially in certain countries, have compelled organizations to shrink their hierarchies…
Abstract
Purpose
The negative consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic and the current economic situation, especially in certain countries, have compelled organizations to shrink their hierarchies, reduce working hours, freeze hiring, and rely on gig workers to perform tasks. While these circumstances may be seen as a threat, certain vulnerable labor groups, such as women, seized the opportunity to develop entrepreneurial skills and launch their own firms. Others addressed smart platforms to engage in gig economy activities. This research investigates the aspects that drive women to be entrepreneurs, exploring the relationships between the entrepreneurial ecosystem, the gig economy, and women's entrepreneurship in a developing country.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected from 300 female entrepreneurs in Lebanon through questionnaires that measured the indicators and variables of the proposed model, which was tested applying partial least square.
Findings
The results show a positive influence of the entrepreneurial ecosystem and gig economy on women's entrepreneurship, stronger in the case of entrepreneurial ecosystem elements and almost similar for opportunity and necessity entrepreneurship.
Originality/value
This research achieves empirical evidence on the relationship between the entrepreneurial ecosystem, the gig economy, and women's entrepreneurship in the case of a developing country. The originality of this paper lies in its empirical and gendered approach, considering together the effects of entrepreneurial ecosystem factors and gig economy practices on women's entrepreneurship, especially relevant in a regional context like Lebanon, where digital economy may constitute an opportunity for economically vulnerable groups.
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Muhammad Rizky Prima Sakti, Mohamad Ali Tareq, Buerhan Saiti and Tahir Akhtar
This paper aims to critically evaluate theoretical and empirical research into capital structure practices in Islamic banks (IBs) from four perspectives, namely, theoretical…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to critically evaluate theoretical and empirical research into capital structure practices in Islamic banks (IBs) from four perspectives, namely, theoretical aspect and its nature, determinants of capital structure in IBs, links between capital structure and risk management and nexus between capital structure and performance of IBs.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors will review and examine past studies on IBs’ capital structure from both theoretical and empirical research.
Findings
The paper concludes that most of the literature on IB capital structure is largely theoretical than empirical. The existing studies on IB capital structure have various limitations, which suggest a need for detailed empirical work. Detailed empirical research in the field of capital structure will support bank managers and policymakers in making decisions about improving capital structure.
Originality/value
This research will make several noteworthy contributions to address literature gaps for IB capital structure. Furthermore, this paper will identify areas for future research into capital structure practices and IB financing decisions. Lastly, this paper will equip regulators with guidelines for establishing sound capital requirements for IB.
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Faisal Khan, Mohamad Ali Bin Abdul-Hamid, Saidatunur Fauzi Saidin and Shatha Hussain
This study aims to investigate whether organizational complexity (hereafter firm complexity) increases audit report lag (ARL) in a unique environment of GCC countries.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate whether organizational complexity (hereafter firm complexity) increases audit report lag (ARL) in a unique environment of GCC countries.
Design/methodology/approach
The research study uses a panel data set of 6,084 firm-year observations of nonfinancial firms from GCC economies from 2009 to 2022. First, the study uses an ordinary least square estimator to examine the association of firm complexity with ARL. Second, for robustness purposes, the study applies the propensity score matching technique.
Findings
This research study finds that the firms’ complexity increases ARL. Supporting the argument that auditors respond to firm complexity with increased effort, the authors find a positive relation of firm complexity with ARL. This relationship is augmented by auditor change, auditors’ tenure, auditor-qualified opinion and adoption of IFRS. In addition, the authors also find that Big-4 and audit firm industry specialization curtail the positive impact of firm complexity on ARL.
Research limitations/implications
Firms in the GCC have less time to complete their audit and complex firms are likelier to have bigger ARLs. This study provided evidence regarding the curtailing effect of audit quality in GCC. Our findings suggest policymakers and reformers choose improved audit quality to reduce the possibility of larger ARL.
Originality/value
This study enriches the scholarship by presenting a mechanism for reducing the ARL of complex firms through higher audit quality. This study contributes to agency theory by emphasizing audit quality’s important role in emerging markets.