Deposits structure, ownership concentration and corporate governance disclosure in GCC Islamic banks

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 587-606 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rihab Grassa
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Governance ◽  
Ownership Structure ◽  
Far East ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Ownership Concentration ◽  
Islamic Banks ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Gcc Countries ◽  
Transparency And Disclosure ◽  
Governance Disclosure

Purpose This paper aims to assess the effects of deposits structure and ownership structure on the GCC Islamic banks’ corporate governance disclosure (CGD) practices. Design/methodology/approach The study is based on a sample of 38 Islamic banks operating in five Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, and the authors observed them over the period from 2006 to 2011. The authors used the transparency and disclosure score, developed by Standard & Poor’s (S&P), to identify the sample’s CGD scores. Findings This paper’s findings suggest that the level of CGD is lower for Islamic banks with higher ownership concentration, for levered Islamic banks and for Islamic banks with greater concentration of nonprofit-sharing investment accounts (PSIA) and is higher for Islamic banks with greater concentrations of PSIA; the Islamic bank size; the bank age; listed bank and the country transparency index. By disaggregating the total CGD into the three sub-categories, the authors are able to specify, also, the components of corporate governance (CG) impacted by various determinants. Research limitations/implications This paper is subject to a number of limitations. First, there is manual scoring of annual reports (subjectivity). Second, the research focuses exclusively on the GCC context and excludes the other Middle East, Southeast Asia and Far East countries, where ownership structure and deposits structure might affect CGD differently. Third, the governance score, which is used in this research, is developed by S&P and does not take into account the characteristics of Islamic banks. Practical implications The findings of this paper suggest many policy implications. First, through the optimization of ownership structure, GCC countries’ regulators have to improve the Islamic banking system’s CG mechanisms through the optimization of ownership structure (dispersed ownership) to promote transparency and disclosure. Second, regulators and policymakers should revise guidelines with the main purpose of protecting PSIA’ holders (considered to be minor shareholders without voting power) through promoting disclosure and transparency. Third, the findings can be useful for many international supervisory bodies, like the Islamic Financial Services Board (IFSB) and Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI), in evaluating transparency and disclosure standards. Originality/value This study is expected to be useful for all market participants, namely, investors, financial analysts, managers, marker regulators and many international Islamic supervisory bodies, such as the IFSB and AAOIFI, by providing new requirements on CGD in the GCC region and in better understanding its determinants for Islamic banks in this region.

scholarly journals Do ownership structures affect risk disclosure in Islamic banks? International evidence

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rihab Grassa ◽  
Nejia Moumen ◽  
Khaled Hussainey
Keyword(s):  
Emerging Economies ◽  
Ownership Structure ◽  
Generalized Method Of Moments ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Ownership Concentration ◽  
Annual Reports ◽  
Islamic Banks ◽  
Risk Disclosure ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Transparency And Disclosure

Purpose Previous works assessing the determinants of banks’ risk disclosure in emerging economies focused on one aspect of risk reporting such as market risk disclosure or operational risk disclosure. While banks’ transparency about other major risk types (e.g. capital adequacy, liquidity risk…) is important for both market discipline and for their financial stability, no previous research has tried to discuss their determinants for Islamic banks. This paper aims to fill the gap by assessing the effects of deposits structure and ownership concentration on risk disclosure for Islamic banks. Design/methodology/approach The authors based on a sample of 71 Islamic banks operating in 12 emerging economies and observed over the period 2009–2014. The authors used a risk disclosure index covering nine dimensions, and the authors used both generalized least squares (GLS) regression and generalized method of moments (GMMs) as econometric tools. Findings The findings suggests that the level of risk disclosure is lower for Islamic banks with higher ownership concentration, leveraged bank, listed banks and Islamic banks. However, risk disclosure is higher for Islamic banks with higher concentration of profit sharing investment account (PSIA) and higher foreign ownership, large Islamic banks, aged banks, Islamic banks operating in country with higher country transparency index, positively correlated to gross domestic products and Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI) adoption. By disaggregating total risk disclosure into the nine sub-categories, the authors are able to specify, also, the components of risk disclosure impacted by various determinants. Research limitations/implications This paper’s findings are subject, also, to a number of limitations. First, there was manual scoring of annual reports (subjectivity). Second, while some items might have higher information content or be more useful than others for users of Islamic banks’ annual reports, no weighting is assigned to items. Third, the research focuses exclusively on the 12 countries and excludes the other Middle East, Southeast Asia and Far East countries where ownership structure and deposits structure might affect risk disclosure differently. Originality/value The findings suggest many policy implications. First, regulators have to improve corporate governance mechanisms in Islamic banking system through the optimization of ownership structure (dispersed ownership) to promote transparency and disclosure. Second, regulators and policymakers should revise guidelines in the main purpose to protect PSIAs holders (considered as minor shareholders without voting power) through promoting disclosure and transparency. Third, the findings can be useful for many international supervisory bodies such as the IFSB and AAOIFI to evaluate transparency and disclosure standards.

Ownership structure, deposits structure, income structure and insolvency risk in GCC Islamic banks

2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 93-111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rihab Grassa
Keyword(s):  
Ownership Structure ◽  
Far East ◽  
Banking Regulation ◽  
Ownership Concentration ◽  
Islamic Banks ◽  
Strategic Decisions ◽  
Revenue Diversification ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Insolvency Risk ◽  
The Impact

Purpose This paper aims to examine the effect of the concentration of ownership concentration and the deposits structure on the link between income structure and insolvency risk in Islamic banks operating in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Design/methodology/approach Using data for 43 GCC Islamic banks over the period from 2005 to 2012, this paper specifies a three-stage least-squares model in which the impact of the concentration of ownership concentration and the deposits structure on income diversification and insolvency risk is jointly analyzed to address the problem of endogeneity. Findings The findings show that the income structure influences the insolvency risk in Islamic banks with a concentrated ownership structure. This is because the deposits structure and large shareholders influence strategic decisions. Research limitations/implications This paper is, also, subject to a number of limitations. First, this study focuses exclusively on the GCC context and excludes the other Middle East and Far East countries. Second, the paper does not take into consideration banking regulation. Practical implications The paper findings shed light on the ongoing debate about the benefits of revenue diversification and also provide valuable insights for market participants, regulators and supervisors about what drives performance in Islamic banks. Originality/value The paper fills the gap in the existing literature on insolvency risk in Islamic banks. It is expected to provide useful information for policy makers and Islamic bankers to develop a sound Islamic banking industry in the GCC region. In addition, the link identified between ownership concentration, deposits structure and revenue diversification is a novel way of analyzing the impact of the latter on insolvency risk in Islamic banks.

Ownership structure and financial performance in Islamic banks

2014 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 146-160 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarra Ben Slama Zouari ◽  
Neila Boulila Taktak
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Governance ◽  
Financial Performance ◽  
Empirical Evidence ◽  
Ownership Structure ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Bank Performance ◽  
Islamic Banks ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Islamic Bank ◽  
The Impact

Purpose – This study aims to investigate empirically the relationship between ownership structure (concentration and mix) and Islamic bank performance, with a special attention to the identity of the block investor (foreign, family, institutional and state). Design/methodology/approach – Regression analyses are conducted to test the impact of the identity of the first shareholders and the degree of concentration on Islamic bank performance, using a panel data sample of 53 Islamic banks scattered over > 15 countries from 2005 to 2009. Findings – Results suggest that ownership is concentrated at 49 per cent, and for 41 banks from the full sample, the ultimate owner is institutional. State investors come in second place, followed by family ultimate shareholders. Using return on assets and return on equity as performance measures, empirical evidence highlights the absence of correlation between ownership concentration and Islamic bank performance. It also reveals that the combined effort of family and state investors is beneficial to bank performance. Results also indicate that banks with institutional and foreign shareholders do not perform better. Empirical findings suggest that the financial crisis impacts negatively Islamic bank performance. Research limitations/implications – The use of dummy variables to measure the nature of the largest owner represents the main limitation of this study. This is due to the lack of information, as the percentage of the largest capital held referring to owner category was available only for some banks. Practical implications – This research has given a brighter insight into corporate governance and bank performance in selected Islamic banking institutions. Findings provided useful information to bank managers, investors and policy makers. Financial performance can be improved by identifying practices associated with ownership structure. So, it will have policy implications for Islamic banks as to how to improve their performance. Finally, different types of bank ownership have had different concerns about implementing corporate governance practices among Islamic banks. Originality/value – This work is the first of its kind for Islamic banks. It extends previous research by examining whether ownership structure (concentration and mix) affects performance. It also fills the gap in the literature by providing empirical evidence on a large sample involving data from 15 countries. Finally, manual data collection on ownership structure constitutes a large part of the research for this paper.

Ownership concentration in the Gulf Cooperation Council

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Irma Martinez-Garcia ◽  
Rodrigo Basco ◽  
Silvia Gomez-Anson ◽  
Narjess Boubakri
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Governance ◽  
Ownership Structure ◽  
Gulf Cooperation Council ◽  
Ownership Concentration ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Listed Firms ◽  
Gcc Countries ◽  
Governance Practices ◽  
Institutional Contexts ◽  
Pyramid Structures

PurposeThis article attempts to answer the following questions: Who ultimately owns firms listed in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries? Does ownership structure depend on the institutional context? How does ownership affect firm performance? Do institutional factors influence the ownership–performance relationship?Design/methodology/approachWe apply univariate analyses and generalised methods of moments estimations for a sample of 692 GCC listed firms during 2009–2015.FindingsOur results reveal that corporations are mainly controlled by the state or families, the ownership structure is highly concentrated and pyramid structures are common in the region. Ownership is more concentrated in non-financial than financial firms, and ownership concentration and shareholder identity differ by institutional country setting. Finally, ownership concentration does not influence performance, but formal institutions play a moderating role in the relationship.Practical implicationsAs our findings reveal potential type II agency problems due to ownership concentration, policymakers should raise awareness of professional corporate governance practices and tailor them to GCC countries’ institutional contexts.Social implicationsEven with the introduction of new regulations by some GCC states to protect minority investors and promote corporate governance practices, ownership concentration is a rigid structure, and its use by investors to protect their economic endowment and power is culturally embedded.Originality/valueAlthough previous studies have analysed ownership concentration and large shareholders’ identities across countries, this study fills a research gap investigating this phenomenon in-depth in emerging economies.

scholarly journals The impact of AAOIFI governance disclosure on Islamic banks performance

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tawida Elgattani ◽  
Khaled Hussainey
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Governance ◽  
Regression Model ◽  
Financial Institution ◽  
Ordinary Least Squares ◽  
Annual Reports ◽  
Islamic Banks ◽  
Least Squares Regression ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Governance Disclosure

Purpose This study aims to investigate the impact of the accounting and auditing organisation for Islamic financial institution (AAOIFI) governance disclosure on the performance of Islamic banks (IBs). Design/methodology/approach The ordinary least squares regression model was used to test the impact of AAOIFI governance disclosure on the performance of 126 IBs from 8 countries that mandatorily adopt the AAOIFI standards for three years (2013–2015). In this regression model, return on asset (ROA) and return on equity (ROE) are the dependent variables, while AAOIFI governance disclosure is the independent variable. Corporate governance mechanisms, firm characteristics, year dummy and country dummy are used as control variables. Findings This paper found an insignificant relationship between AAOIFI governance disclosure and IBs performance. Research limitations/implications This study highlighted the implication that the current research may help IBs and encourage them to disclose more information in annual reports, especially those related to AAOIFI governance standards because following good corporate governance leads to good financial performance. The major limitation of the paper is that it is only focussed on two measurements of bank performance – ROA and ROE; it would be good to use other firm performance measures, such as profit margin. Originality/value This study provides new empirical evidence on the impact of AAOIFI governance disclosure on IBs performance.

Ownership structure and firm performance: evidence from the subprime crisis period

2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 206-219 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mamduh M. Hanafi ◽  
Bowo Setiyono ◽  
I Putu Sugiartha Sanjaya
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Governance ◽  
Firm Performance ◽  
Cash Flow ◽  
Ownership Structure ◽  
Learning Process ◽  
Ownership Concentration ◽  
Subprime Crisis ◽  
Control Rights ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cash Flow Rights

Purpose This paper aims to compare the effect of ownership on firm performances in the 1997 and 2008 financial crises. More specifically, it investigates the effect of cash flow rights, control rights and cash flow rights leverage on firm performance. Two conditions motivated the study. First, the 2008 financial crisis happened quickly, so it was endogenous for firms. This setting is ideal to deal with endogeneity problems in a study that involves ownership and performance. Second, during the 2000s, awareness and implementation of corporate governance increased significantly. The authors believe that the markets learn these changes and incorporate them into prices, as suggested by an efficient market hypothesis. Design/methodology/approach The paper investigates and compares the effect of ownership structure on firm performance in the 2008 subprime crisis period to that in the 1997 financial crisis. Both crises happen unexpectedly, so the authors can expect that the crises are exogenous to firms. The authors use cash flow rights, control rights and cash flow right leverage for the ownership structure dimension. They also study time-series data to investigate the effect of ownership on a firm’s value. Findings The study finds that cash flow right and cash flow right leverage did not affect stock performance during the subprime crisis of 2008. It also finds that cash flow right leverage and cash flow right affected stock performance during the financial crisis of 1997. The study attributes this finding to the learning process and improvement of corporate governance during the period of the 2000s. Using time-series data, it finds that cash flow rights positively affect firm performance, suggesting an alignment effect. Ownership concentration improves firm performance. When the study split its sample, it found that the effect ownership on firms’ value is stronger for large firms. Research limitations/implications The study’s main limitation is that it does not test directly the learning process hypothesis. The study contributes to the current literature by presenting more recent evidence on the effect of ownership structure on firm performance in a developing country. The authors argue that markets learn the improvement of corporate governance and incorporate this development into prices. Extending this research to other markets will provide confirmation whether the learning process is an international phenomenon. Practical implications The awareness and implementation of corporate governance should be maintained at least at this level. The positive relationship between ownership concentration and firm performance suggests that concentrated ownership performs monitoring more effectively. Investors should pay attention to ownership concentration. Social implications The finding that prices already reflect corporate governance may suggest that market is monitoring this issue. This seems to be a good finding. Markets can be expected to discipline companies in the implementation of corporate governance. The awareness and implementation of corporate governance should be maintained at least at the current level. Originality/value The study contributes to the current literature by presenting additional evidence on the effect of ownership (using cash flow rights, control rights and cash flow right leverage) on firms’ performance in a more recent period and in a developing country. This period is characterized by a significant increase in awareness and the implementation of good corporate governance.

scholarly journals CSR Disclosure, Corporate Governance and Firm Value: a study on GCC Islamic Banks

2020 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 607-638
Author(s):  
Mohd Shukor Harun ◽  
Khaled Hussainey ◽  
Khairul Ayuni Mohd Kharuddin ◽  
Omar Al Farooque
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Governance ◽  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Financial Institutions ◽  
Firm Value ◽  
Islamic Banks ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Gcc Countries ◽  
Islamic Financial Institutions ◽  
Corporate Social

Purpose This study aims to explore the corporate social responsibility disclosure (CSRD) practices of the Islamic banks in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries during the period 2010-2014 and examines the determinants of CSRD and its effects on firm value. Design/methodology/approach Based on the Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions Governance Standard No. 7 guidelines and using content analysis, the paper develops a comprehensive CSRD index for GCC Islamic banks. The study applies ordinary least squares regression analysis for hypothesis testing and for finding determinants of respective dependent variables. Findings The results show a very low level of CSRD among the sample Islamic banks in GCC countries. When using corporate governance characteristics to examine the determinants of CSRD, this study provides evidence of a significant positive association between board size and CSRD practice in Islamic banks and a significant negative relationship of chief executive officer (CEO) duality with CSRD, as per expectation. For the economic consequences of CSRD, the study documents an inverse performance effect of CSRD while board size, board composition and CEO duality indicate significant positive effects on firm value. Research limitations/implications The relatively small sample size of GCC Islamic banks may limit the application of the findings to other Islamic financial institutions such as Takaful and the Islamic unit trust company. Practical implications The findings of this study initiate the global debate on the need for corporate governance reform in Islamic banks by providing insights on the role played by corporate governance mechanisms in encouraging and enhancing CSRD practices among Islamic banks. The findings also have important implications for investors, managers, regulatory bodies, policymakers and Islamic banks in the GCC countries. Social implications The results of the study do not support the idea that Islamic banks operating on Islamic principles can meet their social responsibilities through promoting corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities and by differentiating themselves from non-Islamic banks. Originality/value This is the first study to examine the determinants of CSRD in GCC Islamic banks using comprehensive CSRD and corporate governance variables and, therefore, adds value to the existing CSR literature in banking.

Voluntary corporate governance disclosure and bank performance: evidence from an emerging market

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Haitham Nobanee ◽  
Nejla Ould Daoud Ellili
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Governance ◽  
Voluntary Disclosure ◽  
Dynamic Panel Data ◽  
Annual Reports ◽  
Bank Performance ◽  
Islamic Banks ◽  
Dynamic Panel ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Governance Disclosure ◽  
Conventional And Islamic Banks

Purpose This study aims to explore the extent of voluntary corporate governance disclosure in the annual reports of banks in the UAE, operating in an emerging economy in the Gulf Cooperation Council region. It also examines the effect of this non-financial disclosure on bank performance by differentiating conventional and Islamic banks. Design/methodology/approach This study applies content analysis to explore the extent of voluntary corporate governance disclosure using data collected from the annual reports of all the banks traded on the UAE financial markets from 2003 through 2020. It further examines the potential effect of voluntary disclosure on bank performance using dynamic panel data regressions. Findings The results indicate a low level of voluntary corporate governance disclosure in the annual reports for most disclosure indices. However, conventional and Islamic banks do not differ significantly. Additionally, the results of the robust dynamic panel data from the two-step generalized method of moments system estimation confirm that voluntary corporate governance disclosure does not affect bank performance significantly. Practical implications The findings of this study would benefit the central bank and lawmakers in the UAE in developing a framework for appropriate voluntary disclosure and enhancing the corporate governance framework to improve the quality of annual reports. Originality/value This study contributes to the literature on the extent of corporate governance disclosure, as well as its association with bank performance in an emerging economy by differentiating between conventional and Islamic banks.

Corporate governance of Islamic banks

2014 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 346-362 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rihab Grassa ◽  
Hamadi Matoussi
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Governance ◽  
Southeast Asia ◽  
United Arab Emirates ◽  
Future Development ◽  
Governance Structure ◽  
Islamic Banks ◽  
Governance System ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Gcc Countries ◽  
The Future

Purpose – This paper aims to understand the current governance practices and governance structure of Islamic banks (IBs) in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and Southeast Asia countries with the purpose of providing relevant information in guiding the future development of the governance system for IBs. As well, the paper discusses and compares the state of the governance system in GCC countries (Kuwait, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Saudi Arabia) and Southeast Asia countries (Malaysia and Indonesia). Design/methodology/approach – The study utilizes descriptive analysis approach in extracting and analyzing data collected for 83 IBs observed for the period 2002-2011. The authors test for differences in means and medians of corporate governance attributes between a sample of IBs in GCC countries and another one for Southeast Asia countries. They use selected variables of corporate governance of different governance structures, namely, the ownership structure, the board of directors, the Shariah board and the CEO attributes. Findings – The paper findings argue that there are significant differences and divergence of corporate governance structure of IBs in GCC countries and those in Southeast Asia countries. This position acknowledges that there are shortcomings to the existing governance framework for IBs which needs further improvement and standardization. Practical implications – The paper is a very useful source of information that may provide relevant guidelines in guiding the future development of corporate governance of IBs. As well, the paper provides relevant guidelines for improving regulations and laws covering the governance of IBs. Originality/value – This paper provides fresh data and recent information on the actual corporate governance system in IBs in GCC and Southeast Asia countries. As well, the paper discusses a significant shortage in corporate governance literature of Islamic finance.

scholarly journals Corporate governance and Islamic banks’ products and services disclosure

2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 75-89 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rihab Grassa ◽  
Raida Chakroun ◽  
Khaled Hussainey
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Governance ◽  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Annual Reports ◽  
Islamic Banks ◽  
Governance Mechanisms ◽  
Board Size ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Long Period ◽  
Corporate Governance Mechanisms

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the determinants of Islamic banks (IBs) product and services disclosure (PSD). Design/methodology/approach A computer-based content analysis is run upon the annual reports for a sample of 78 IBs operating in 11 countries from 2004 to 2012 to find the number of product and services statements. The levels and trends of PSD are identified. A regression analysis to identify the factors affecting PSD in IBs is also used. Findings The findings suggest that there has been a significant improvement of PSD over time. The results show a positive association between PSD and Shariah board size, board size, chief executive officer (CEO) tenure, duality in position, blockholders and investment account holders. However, they show a negative association between PSD and institutional ownership. In addition, it appears that board independence does not affect significantly banks’ PSD. It is also found that the bank performance, bank age, leverage, listing, adoption of international financial reporting standards, adoption of Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions and country transparency index have a positive effect on the PSD. Originality/value This study offers an original contribution to corporate disclosure literature by being the first to develop and investigate PSD for a large sample of IBs during a long period of time. It links P&S with bank corporate governance characteristics. The findings have many important policy implications. More specifically, this paper encourages regulators in the studied countries to improve corporate governance mechanisms in their Islamic banking systems through the optimization of ownership structure, CEO’s characteristics and the board’s characteristics, to promote PSD. Moreover, the findings support the theoretical predictions of the generalized agency theory. This study’s empirical evidence enhances the understanding of the corporate social responsibility disclosure environment in general and the PSD environment in particular for IBs. This study is the first one that measures PSD in the annual reports for a large cross-countries sample of IBs during a long period of time. It is also the first one that links PSD with IBs corporate governance mechanisms.

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