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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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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Hanafiah Haji Hasin and Normah Haji Omar
This study investigated the relationship between job satisfaction, job‐related stress and intention to leave among audit staff in public accounting firms. Effects of demographic…
Abstract
This study investigated the relationship between job satisfaction, job‐related stress and intention to leave among audit staff in public accounting firms. Effects of demographic factors on job satisfaction; and the relationship between the elements of two‐factor theory with job satisfaction and job‐related stress were also identified. Data for the study was collected through questionnaires. Statistical analysis such as chi‐square test, factor analysis, correlation analysis and multiple regressions were used. The results indicated that job satisfaction and job‐related stress were significantly related to intention to leave the job. Only demographic factors such as pay or salary, job position and highest education achieved were found to have effect on job satisfaction. Elements of motivators and elements of hygiene were related to job satisfaction and jobrelated stress respectively. The findings of this study may contribute to planning and implementing human resource management’s (HRM) retention strategies. Several suggestions for future research are also presented. If the antecedents of intention to leave can be identified, appropriate HRM practices may minimize dysfunctional turnover of high quality employees.
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Normah Haji Omar, Mohd. Johari Alwi and Zaini Ahmad
One of the main concerns of the accounting profession is to provide consistently high quality services. In line with this objective, the current study was conducted for three main…
Abstract
One of the main concerns of the accounting profession is to provide consistently high quality services. In line with this objective, the current study was conducted for three main purposes: to determine the level of internal quality control and documentation amongst public accounting practices in Malaysia; to examine the role of the Malaysian Institute of Accountants (MIA) in ensuring members’ compliance to the International Standards of Auditing (AI) on Internal quality and documentation, and to explore the potential of using peer review as a tool for monitoring the quality of public practices in Malaysia. The findings implied that the practitioners have satisfactorily adopted quality control policies and procedures as required by the International Auditing Standards. In addition, the public accounting firms were also found to have placed significant attention to the form and content of documentation as stipulated by the AIs. The potential of using peer review as a quality‐monitoring tool has strong support amongst the locally established public practices.
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Apedzan Emmanuel Kighir, Normah Haji Omar and Norhayati Mohamed
The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the debate and find out the impact of cash flow on changes in dividend payout decisions among non-financial firms quoted at Bursa…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the debate and find out the impact of cash flow on changes in dividend payout decisions among non-financial firms quoted at Bursa Malaysia as compared to earnings. There has been renewed debate in recent finance and accounting literature concerning the key determinants of changes in dividends payout policy decisions in some jurisdictions. The conclusion in some is that firms base their dividend decisions on cash flows rather than published earnings.
Design/methodology/approach
The research made use of panel data from 1999 to 2012 at Bursa Malaysia, using generalized method of moments as the main method of analysis.
Findings
The research finds that Malaysia non-financial firms consider current earnings more important than current cash flow while making dividends payout decisions, and prior year cash flows are considered more important in dividends decisions than prior year earnings. We also found support for Jensen (1986) in Malaysia on agency theory, that managers of firms pay dividends from free cash flow to reduce agency conflicts.
Practical implications
The research concludes that Malaysian non-financial firms use current earnings and less of current cash flow in making changes in dividends policy. The policy implication is that current earnings are dividends smoothing agents, and the more they are considered in dividends payout decisions, the less of dividends smoothing.
Social implications
If dividends smoothing is encouraged, it could lead to dividends-based earnings management.
Originality/value
The research is our novel contribution of assisting investors and government in making informed decisions regarding dividends policy in Malaysia.
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Malcolm Smith, Normah Haji Omar, Syed Iskandar Zulkarnain Sayd Idris and Ithnahaini Baharuddin
Aims to identify the most important red flags as individually perceived by auditors, and explores whether auditors' demographic factors might impact on their perception of the…
Abstract
Purpose
Aims to identify the most important red flags as individually perceived by auditors, and explores whether auditors' demographic factors might impact on their perception of the relative importance of red flags in Malaysia, particularly in the Klang Valley area.
Design/methodology/approach
This study employed a mailed survey as a method of data collection. The respondents to this survey are practicing auditors from audit firms in Kuala Lumpur. The sample of auditors is taken from the population of domestic listed audit firms with the Malaysian Institute of Accountants as of 27 March 2003. A simple random technique is applied to construct the sample.
Findings
In general, subjects indicated that the operating and financial stability category was judged as most important, followed by management characteristics and influence over the control environment, and then finally by industry characteristics.
Originality/value
It would be interesting to examine whether these fraud risk indicators are indeed helpful in the investigation of reported misconduct and fraudulent cases in Malaysia. The findings may help researchers to develop a new fraud risk indicator that takes into consideration actual instances of fraud in Malaysia.