Nero Madi, Corina Joseph, Mariam Rahmat, Jennifer Tunga Janang and Normah Haji Omar
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the extent of fraud prevention disclosure on the Malaysian public universities’ websites.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the extent of fraud prevention disclosure on the Malaysian public universities’ websites.
Design/methodology/approach
The level of fraud prevention information disclosure was examined using content analysis of all 20 public universities in Malaysia based on the university fraud prevention disclosure index (UFPDi) previously developed by the authors’ research team.
Findings
The disclosures of eight aspects of fraud prevention policies, responses, initiatives and mechanisms were not satisfactory. Possible reasons could be because of lack of awareness and appreciation on the institutional mechanisms and lack of formal pressure from the relevant authority.
Research limitations/implications
Data collection for analysis was conducted during a period of one month only due to rapid changes of the information on the websites.
Social implications
The low level of disclosure using UFPDi will prompt the Malaysian public universities to take proactive actions in promoting transparent and good governance among the university staff hence assisting the government in addressing the fraud problem that is plaguing the nation.
Originality/value
This paper is an extension to the authors’ previous work on UFPDi. It further explains and highlights the extent of fraud prevention disclosures among academic institutions who are receiving financial resources from the government.
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Keywords
Corina Joseph, Mariam Rahmat, Sharifah Norzehan Syed Yusuf, Jennifer Tunga Janang and Nero Madi
This paper aims to describe the development of the ethical values disclosure index (EVDi) for Malaysian companies using the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16 and isomorphism…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to describe the development of the ethical values disclosure index (EVDi) for Malaysian companies using the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16 and isomorphism perspectives.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper reports an inclusive examination of international and national guidelines in relation to the code of ethics and ethical values in making the disclosure.
Findings
The final 10 categories and 40 items under review have been developed in an instrument, the proposed EVDi, for measuring the commitment undertaken by companies in communicating ethical values information to stakeholders.
Research limitations/implications
The EVDi may fulfil the function of good governance to inculcate ethical work culture throughout companies.
Social implications
Effective ethical values in communication may reduce the likelihood of illegal activities and cost of acting unethically in organisations.
Originality/value
The value of this paper is its approach of using the isomorphism concept from the institutional theory to address the SDG 16 by developing the EVDi. The new index incorporates core elements of moral values adapted mainly from the professional bodies that regulate the accounting profession and other related organisations. The index is an initiative used to measure companies' commitment to promoting ethical values through disclosure. The efforts to measure the level of commitment supporting the SDG 16 promote effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels.
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Corina Joseph, Normah Haji Omar, Jennifer Tunga Janang, Mariam Rahmat and Nero Madi
This paper aims to explain the development of fraud prevention disclosure index (FPDI) for Malaysian public universities.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to explain the development of fraud prevention disclosure index (FPDI) for Malaysian public universities.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper reported a comprehensive review on fraud prevention and control plans of several international policies and of local and international universities.
Findings
The final 8 categories and 100 items under review have been developed in an instrument, the proposed FPDI, to measure the level of commitment of public universities in preventing fraud.
Research limitations/implications
The FPDI will serve as an evaluation tool to measure the level of commitment of public universities toward preventing fraud practices through disclosure practices.
Social implications
The FPDI is hoped to inculcate anti-fraud culture amongst public universities and to promote accountability, widen and strengthen good organization’s ethics, create ethical work place environment and enhance corporate governance framework by instilling a culture of professional conduct that is free from corruption.
Originality/value
This paper is among the first paper that develops the index specifically to measure the universities’ level of commitment to prevent fraud.
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Amrizah Kamaluddin and Nero Madi
The central issue of this study is to gauge the general level of tax literacy among salaried taxpayers in Sabah and Sarawak. This study is undertaken to shed light on our…
Abstract
The central issue of this study is to gauge the general level of tax literacy among salaried taxpayers in Sabah and Sarawak. This study is undertaken to shed light on our preparedness to face the challenge posed by the implementation of Self Assessment System (SAS) on salaried taxpayers beginning from the year 2004 where taxpayers are expected to be functionally literate to compute their own tax liabilities accurately. For the purpose of this study, samples were randomly taken from salaried taxpayers working in the main cities in Sabah namely Sandaken, Tawau and Kota Kinabalu and Sarawak which were Kuching, Sibu, Bintulu and Miri. Statistical test using One‐Way ANOVA was applied on the mean tax literacy scores by place of work. Relationships between tax literacy scores and place of work were also analyzed by using the Chi‐square test of independence. Some of the findings, among others, indicated that salaried taxpayers in Sarawak were found to be more tax literate compared to their counterparts in Sabah. It was also discovered that the sector of employment is not an important factor of tax literacy. Public and corporate sector employees wee found to be equally literate as indicated by insignificant difference in the mean scores of these two sectors. Overall, it could be inferred that salaried taxpayers in both states are not prepared for SAS in 2004 as reflected by a low percentage of “very literate” category.
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Corina Joseph, Esmie Obrin Nichol, Tamoi Janggu and Nero Madi
The purpose of this paper is to examine the level of environmental literacy among business lecturers in Malaysia.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the level of environmental literacy among business lecturers in Malaysia.
Design/methodology/approach
A survey, which involved a combination of newly developed items and items adopted from past studies, was used to collect data from 35 respondents (out of 70).
Findings
The overall mean score for environmental literacy is 3.22 (out of 5), indicating that the respondents' level of literacy is slightly more than just fair knowledge. The most widely understood environmental literacy term is corporate social responsibility (CSR). The respondents were apparently aware of the recent mandatory disclosure requirement, i.e. to include the environmental information in companies' annual reports and the initiative moving towards “Green Malaysia”.
Practical implications
Universities in Malaysia could learn from environmental initiatives undertaken by universities in developed countries in terms of implementation, organizational policies and strategies. It is important for business lecturers to influence students to favourably perceive environmental issues as one of the core business activities, using a participative approach in teaching and learning.
Originality/value
This paper adds to the limited literature of CSR education research, particularly in Malaysia, by filling the gap with the development of 13 items to determine the level of awareness toward environmental initiatives in Malaysia.
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Tamoi Janggu, Corina Joseph and Nero Madi
The main aim of the study is to find out the level and trend of CSR disclosure pattern of industrial companies in Malaysia and its relationship with companies' characteristics.
Abstract
Purpose
The main aim of the study is to find out the level and trend of CSR disclosure pattern of industrial companies in Malaysia and its relationship with companies' characteristics.
Design/methodology/approach
Content analysis is used to analyse the data from the corporate annual reports of the companies from 1998 to 2003. Samples are selected using simple random sampling technique.
Findings
Research findings, inter alia, indicate that there is positive relationship between CSR and companies' turnover but no apparent relationship is noticed with companies' capital. Relationship between CSR and companies' profitability is also found to be positive but weak. More disclosure by local companies as compared to their foreign counterparts is another noteworthy finding. Overall, CSR level of industrial companies in Malaysia is increasing both in terms of amount of the disclosure and the number of participating companies.
Research limitations/implications
The use of annual reports may not give a complete picture of the disclosure practices as the company may use other medium to disseminate the information. In addition, his study focuses on industrial companies in Malaysia. Thus all conclusions derived cannot be generalized to other industries.
Originality/value
The current research is the only study in Malaysia thus far that covers a disclosure pattern of six years thereby widens the horizon of CSR research. Besides that it extends the previous research to cover new variables such as individual and corporate ownership, influence of the chairman's race on the disclosure and exploring the disclosure pattern by paid‐up capital.