The effects of corporate governance mechanisms on earnings management: Empirical evidence from Moroccan listed firms

Purpose: The purpose of the study is to systematically review and examine the effectiveness of corporate governance mechanisms in restraining earnings management among the listed firms of the Casablanca Stock Exchange. Research methodology: In this study, we used the modified Jones model to calculate discretionary accruals. Our sample comprises 27 firms covering the period from 2016 to 2018, analyzed by the EGLS estimator. Results: Our empirical results show that gender diversity, board size, and audit committee independence reduce the managers' discretion. Simultaneously, we found a significantly positive association between earning management and different corporate governance characteristics such as CEO duality, institutional investor ownership, and family ownership. We do not find any evidence that audit committee size, ownership concentration, and managerial ownership significantly influence discretionary accruals. Limitations: This study's main limitation is that we did not address the direction of discretionary accruals, which does not allow us to detect the motivational aspects behind earnings management. Contribution: The results of this study will help Moroccan authorities in their formulation of an appropriate regulatory framework because very few studies have been conducted in this area in the case of the Moroccan listed companies, especially with a large set of governance variables as our empirical model. Keywords Accruals; Board of directors; Corporate governance; Earnings management; Ownership structure

The influence of current ratio, debt to equity ratio, and return on assets on dividend payout ratio

Purpose: This study aimed to determine whether the current ratio, debt to equity ratio, and return on assets affected the dividend payout ratio of mining companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange for the 2016-2018 period. Research Methodology: The research method used in this study was an explanatory method. The sampling technique used in this study was non-probability sampling with a purposive sampling technique so that the total sample size was 34 mining companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange for the period 2016-2018. The analysis method used in this research was panel data regression analysis using Eviews 9. Results: The results showed that the current ratio, debt to equity ratio, and return on assets affected the dividend payout ratio. In addition, the research results also showed that the magnitude of the influence of the current ratio, debt to equity ratio, and return on assets in contributing to the dividend payout ratio was 51.5%. Limitations: The study was limited to only a few factors, namely the current ratio, debt to equity ratio, and return on assets to the dividend payout ratio. Contribution: This research is expected to be of benefit to the company in determining the policy of dividend distribution from several financial performance factors including current ratio, debt to equity ratio, and return on assets. Keywords Current ratio; Debt to equity ratio; Return on assets; Dividend payout ratio

The financial impacts of board mechanisms on performance: The case of listed Moroccan banks

Purpose: The present study examines the impact of corporate governance mechanisms on listed Moroccan banks' financial performance. Research methodology: This study investigates the relationship between listed banks' governance mechanisms and financial performance in the CSE for six years between 2014-2019. This study employs three performance measures, return on assets, return on equity, and Tobin's Q, to determine bank performance. This research uses the GMM EGLS approach to analyze data. In the first phase of this empirical research, we did use OLS, Fixed Effects, and Radom Effects regressions to show their inefficiency. Results: Our results portray that most board mechanisms have a negative impact on financial performance. In comparison, the audit committee and nomination & remuneration committee have a positive effect on financial performance. Limitations: Many qualitative and quantitative factors could influence financial performance and not only the used variables in this paper. Contribution: This research shows that the dynamic connection between corporate governance and financial performance is robust in the Moroccan banking context. Also, our study has important implications for establishing good corporate governance practices in emerging economies.

Revisiting nation branding: An infrastructure financing perspective in Zimbabwe

Purpose: This study aimed to reconfigure nation branding theories and concepts through infrastructure financing intervention. Research methodology: Data were collected using a QUAL to QUAN sequential mixed methods. Results: Qualitative research informed that the infrastructure that is required for nation branding to be road networks; airports; Information Communication Technologies (ICTs); reliable power supply; industrial facilities; tourism facilities; healthcare facilities; educational facilities; educational facilities; and residential accommodation. These were then classified into two, namely, economic and social infrastructure. Results from quantitative research showed that there is a positive relationship between nation branding and infrastructure financing. Also, it showed that road infrastructure and airports were the most related to nation branding with public-private partnerships and bilateral/multilateral loans to finance their development, respectively. Limitations: As a result of the COVID-19, the research did not manage to have some focus groups for a depth understanding and comprehensive response of the participants. Contribution: The results will help the Zimbabwean government consider developing the road networks and airports to enhance the nation’s brand.

Leadership styles and employees' performance: A case of family-owned manufacturing company, Cape Coast

Purpose: This study aimed to explore the association between leadership styles and employee performance in a family-owned manufacturing business. Research methodology: For data translation and analysis, the study used a quantitative approach and a correlational design, a census technique of sampling 400 employees, an interview schedule, multiple linear regression, and the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) 16.0 Versions. Results: Results revealed that autocratic, charismatic, and paternalistic leadership styles influence employees' performance. The result also revealed that autocratic, charismatic, and visionary leadership styles influence error reduction. Again the result shows that paternalistic and visionary leadership styles influence employees' quality of work. Limitations: The study's main weakness is that it only looked at nine specific leadership styles and their effects on employee performance. Contribution: Given this, managers should consider using leadership styles with stronger predictions in a given situation to drive employees' performance, reduce employees' errors in work and enhance employees' quality of work.

The comparative analysis of FMCG enterprises' vision, mission, and core values focusing on strategic human resources

Purpose: This study focused on a comparative analysis of the FMCG enterprises' vision, mission, and core values focusing on strategic human resources. Research methodology: This study is qualitative, and altogether twenty-three FMCG company's websites have been used for analyzing the company's mission, vision, and core values. Results: Among the twenty-three companies, only seven (Bombay Sweets and Co. Ltd., Arla, Akij Group, Ispahani Foods Limited, Golden Harvest Agro Industries Limited, Walton Group, and City Group) have no focus on strategic human resources in their mission, vision and core values. Sixteen companies have a concern about strategic human resources in vision, mission, and core values. Limitations: This study only includes results from the FMCG of Bangladesh rather than including other industries like telecommunication, MNCs, and other areas. Again, this study is limited by including only a few FMCGs. Contribution: This study results contribute to strategic human focus in the vision, mission, and core values of FMCG enterprises of Bangladesh through a comparative analysis also emphasizes strategic human focus in the employees' development.

Economic efficiency and risk of cassava farming in Lampung province

Purpose: This study aimed to analyze the effect of the use of production factors on cassava production, to analyze cassava income, to analyze the level of economic efficiency in the use of cassava production factors, and to analyze the risk of cassava farming in Lampung Province. Research methodology: The population consisted of 473 farmers from TerusanNunyai, Central Lampung regency. Interviews, observation, documentation, and questionnaires were all used to collect data. Results: The performance of cassava farming which is measured based on the income analysis, the average income value is Rp. 7.351.369,66 with an R/C ratio of 1,46. Then, production factors for NPK-Phonska, TSP/SP-36, KCL, manure, labor, pesticide, and land are not economically efficient in cassava farming, while seed production factors are not economically efficient yet. Income and production in cassava farming have a high risk. Limitations: There is unavoidable transaction cost; therefore, it is necessary to involve transaction costs to get the maximum profit to reach economic efficiency. Contribution: The contribution of this research is to provide input for cassava farmers to get maximum income by avoiding the slightest possible risk.

The influence of leverage, sales growth, and dividend policy on company value

Purpose: This study aimed to determine whether leverage, sales growth, and dividend policies influence the value of the company and determine the development of leverage, sales growth, dividend policy, and company value in real estate, property, and construction companies listed on the Stock Exchange Indonesia period of 2016-2018 Research methodology: This research was a quantitative research. The samples were real estate, property and building construction sector companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange for the period of 2016-2018, amounting to 20 companies. The sampling technique used was non probability sampling with a purposive sampling method.. Results: Leverage, sales growth, and dividend policy affect the company value. The magnitude of the influence of leverage, sales growth, and dividend policy in contributing influence of company value was 58.0%. Limitations: The research is limited to only those companies in the real estate, property, and building construction sectors listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange from 2016 to 2018 and only focuses on the effect of leverage, sales growth, and dividend policy on firm value. Contribution: Companies in the real estate, property, and building construction sectors listed on the Indonesian Stock Exchange should reduce their leverage, increase sales growth by improving their performance in selling products or services, and improve their dividend policy by increasing dividend distribution to shareholders each year.

How discounts impact IPOs valuation performance and underpricing? A confrontation between warranted and unwarranted discounts

Purpose: We investigated the different impacts warranted and unwarranted discounts have on IPOs valuation performance and underpricing. Research methodology: We used multivariate ordinary least squares regression analysis to examine discounts’ determinants, and their impacts on valuation errors and underpricing. We also used bias and accuracy errors to examine valuation performance. Results: We find both final offer price accuracy errors and underpricing negatively related to warranted discounts and positively related to unwarranted discounts. Additionally, warranted discounts are positively related to fair value estimate bias errors, contrarily to unwarranted discounts. Limitations: The relatively small sample size represents our study’s main limitation. Contribution: Unwarranted discounts allow assessing by issuers' underpricing level and underwriters’ sub-optimal efforts and investors' positive returns. Whereas warranted discounts allow issuers to avoid overpricing IPOs and communicate their intrinsic value, investors assess their negative returns, and underwriters reveal their superior qualitative valuation. Regulators can increase after-market efficiency and protect investors by implementing unwarranted discounts’ constraints and warranted discounts’ thresholds.

Corporate parenting and corporate entrepreneurship in media company

Purpose; The study aimed to understand how the multi-business company creates value through a combined effort of Corporate Parenting (CP) and Corporate Entrepreneurship (CE). The parenting-fit matrix was used to describe CP, while CE four model was used to describe CE. Research methodology: This study is qualitative applied research using a case study approach conducted on a multi-business media company. Data was obtained primarily through interviews with senior executives representing the holding company and 18 subsidiaries. Questionnaires were also distributed to executives to develop a parenting-fit matrix and CE model. Results: This study shows that the 18 subsidiaries of the multi-business company fall under four different cells. The CE model applied at the parent company level is the enabler. Limitations: The limitation of this study mainly lies in the measurement method's reliability for corporate parenting and corporate entrepreneurship. Contribution: This study shows that, apart from the parent company, the development of new businesses can also be carried out by the subsidiary companies using the CE producer model.