Insurer’s Role in Intensifying Environmental Sustainability And Social Development

Objective – Sustainable insurance is the new concept that emerges in the current state, that every country adopting now. The objective of the study is to identify the insurance industry's role and contribution to promoting environmental sustainability. To outline sustainable insurance and sustainable/green products and services. Methodology – This paper explores the contribution of the insurance industry and its role in promoting environmental sustainability and social development. This is a theoretical paper, focused on the secondary sources of data from research publications, websites, books, journals, and articles. To achieve the objectives, this study will critically review previous literature and assess contemporary views from different perspectives. Findings– Various insurers are frequently focusing on their progress, enhancing their share of the market, and maintaining better risks to achieve marketplace success. Insurers should always be on the lookout for new ways to set themselves apart from the competition. The implication for insurers is that their actions matter a lot when it comes to environmental issues and providing green insurance solutions can open new business opportunities for the industry. The answer may lie in marketing new products related to potential climate change and the corresponding sustainability/green insurance. Novelty – Sustainable insurance is aimed primarily at developing innovative or green products and services, reducing risk, improving company efficiency, and supporting environmental, social, and financial sustainability. There hasn't been a general overview of the role of insurers in enhancing environmental sustainability and social development done yet. Theoretically, our work aids policymakers and other stakeholders in better understanding the role of insurers in enhancing environmental sustainability and social development. Type of Paper: Review JEL Classification: G20, G22, G23. Keywords: Insurance, Sustainability, Green insurance, Green products and services, Sustainable Development.

Determinants of Audit Quality at Public Accounting Firms

Objective – This study aims to examine and prove the effect of education, experience and audit fee on audit quality. Methodology – The data used are primary data in the form of questionnaires distributed to auditors, both senior and junior auditors at Public Accounting Firms located in Sulawesi. The questionnaires distributed to respondents were 46 auditors and 42 questionnaires were returned and able to processed. Findings – This research used a quantitative approach by measuring the objective data through scientific calculations, derived from samples of certain objects to answer a number of questions. The sampling technique used in this study is purposive sampling by using certain criteria and the model used is multiple linear regression analysis. The results of this study indicate that education, experience and audit fee have an effect on audit quality. Novelty – Audit quality is a representation of the auditor's performance as an audit service provider and also the auditee as an audit service user. As a liaison between the interests of financial statement users and the company, auditors are required to improve the quality of their services which in turn will have an impact on quality of the audit results. Auditors with adequate education and experience and appropriate audit fee in performing audit services will have an effect on the quality of the resulting audit. Type of Paper: Empirical JEL Classification: M40, M49. Keywords: Audit, Education; Experience; Fee; Quality

External Shariah Audit Services from Practitioners’ Views: The Case of Malaysian Islamic Banks

Objective – This paper investigates the possibility and feasibility of Malaysia's Islamic banking industry hiring external Shariah audit (ESA) services in the audit fraternity as one of the Shariah governance mechanisms. Some of the scholars argued that ESA is more independent and is able to strengthen the existing Shariah compliance in the industry. Methodology – This study employs a qualitative method by utilising semi-structured interviews with nine key industry players: Shariah auditors, Heads of Shariah audit, Shariah Committee (SC) Member, and Chief Shariah Officer. Data gathered from the interviews was transcribed and analysed using Atlas.ti software. Findings– A series of interviews reveal that given the current practices by the Islamic banking industry, it could be inferred that the Malaysian Islamic banking industry is not ready to exercise the ESA practices. This unreadiness is due to several factors, such as ESA costs outweighing its benefits, the fear of reputational risk, and anxiety of leaking confidential information to rivals. Novelty – The Shariah audit research especially relates to external Shariah audit is considered limited. Type of Paper: Empirical JEL Classification: E44, G10, G20. Keywords: External Shariah audit; Islamic Banks; qualitative method; Shariah governance; Malaysia

Intention Towards Using Loan in Income Generating Activities: A Conceptual Study Among Poor and Low-Income Households

Objective – Even though the country has done a fantastic job of eradicating poverty, some significant challenges and concerns come as a result of globalisation. The following are important concerns that must be solved as the country enters a new category of poverty. Methodology – Malaysia is an impendence country which variety population segmentation based on ethnicity as well as religion. In actuality, it has the potential to aggravate social issues, particularly in Malaysia. Indeed, Malaysia has adopted many social programmes including economic and social investment. Findings– However, poor people in rural and urban areas since poverty has long been seen to be a rural issue with more than half of all family units falling into this category in Malaysia. Besides, there is a lack of awareness of the causes and sources of poverty as well as a strategy for dealing with the issue. In addition, there is currently a scarcity of research on the influence of anti-poverty initiatives on community welfare in the Malaysian context. Novelty – Hence, low-income people's goals regarding the Malaysian government's incentive or programme to improve their income are conceptualised in this paper by concern the Theory of Planned Behaviour with four variables namely attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavioural control, and entrepreneurial competencies. Type of Paper: Review JEL Classification: D10, D14, D19. Keywords: Attitude, Entrepreneurial Competencies, Entrepreneurial Intention, Perceived Behavioural Control, Subjective Norms

The impact of bank liquidity risk on risk-taking and bank lending: evidence from European bank

Objective – This paper uses a sample of annual observations of European banks to examine whether the liquidity risk affects a bank’s risk-taking behavior and its future loan growth. Methodology – A sample of European banks (27 member countries of the European Union plus U.K.) over the period of 2005 to 2019 are used in this study. Liquidity risk is measured by the ratio of liquid assets to total assets. Given the longitudinal nature of the data, the authors use panel regression with bank fixed effects to control for unobserved characteristics that might affect the dependent variable. Findings – The authors find that banks holding more liquid assets take less risk and show a higher subsequent loan growth rate. These results hold for both small and large banks. Novelty – To the authors’ best knowledge, this is one of the earliest studies to carefully examine the effects of liquidity risk on risk-taking behavior and loan growth rate for European banks. Our research suggests that the current Basel III requirement on liquidity ratio can decrease bank’s risking-taking behavior while not necessarily impact their future loan growth. Type of Paper: Empirical JEL Classification: G21, G01, G18. Keywords: Bank Liquidity Risk; Risk-taking Behavior; Loan Growth; Basel III

The Impact of Financial Distress, Corporate Governance, and Auditor Switching on Audit Delay

Objective – The purpose of this study is to examine the effect between financial distress, corporate governance, auditor switching and audit delay. This research sample using data on a manufacturing company on the Indonesia Stock Exchange. Methodology – The analysis technique used is multiple linear regression analysis technique. Findings– The research finding show that financial distress and the size of the audit committee have a significant effect on audit delay, while the concentration of ownership, managerial ownership, change of directors, and auditor switching has no significant effect on audit delay. Second finding explain that consideration for companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange to pay attention to the timeliness of submitting financial reports and independent auditor reports so as not to get sanctions from the Financial Services Authority. Novelty – Our novelty research using the relationship of Financial Distress, Corporate Governance and Auditor Switching on new research model to Audit Delay. Type of Paper: Empirical JEL Classification: M41, M42 Keywords: Financial Distress, Corporate Governance, Auditor Switching, Audit Delay

Evaluating the Evolution of the Personal Financial Planning Industry: Mutualism, Commensalism, or Parasitism

Objective – The personal financial planning and advice industry has been a growing industry for the past years and will continue to experience growth as the general wealth of the public increases, along with the economic recovery post Covid-19. This industry includes registered investment advisors (RIA) which are licensed by a locally approved institution, and financial educators and influencers that do not require licensing by a regulatory body. Methodology – There are many benefits that these parties can bring towards the financial health of their clients and viewers such as having a thorough personal financial plan, investment strategies, and retirement planning. However, this industry has also received many negative feedbacks and experiences from clients regarding the general system of the industry or specific areas within the sector. One of the objectives of this article is to evaluate the evolution of the personal financial planning industry over the years, how it has transitioned from traditional methods into current industry standards, and where it might be heading in the coming years. Findings– The findings of the paper provide clarity and insight into the mature industry which can benefit current and potential consumers, promoting healthier industry development. Novelty – The next objective is to investigate the risk and rewards of the current personal financial planning and advice industry towards consumers. This paper will critically review the past literature and evaluate contemporary views from various perspectives to achieve the above objectives. Type of Paper: Review JEL Classification: G20 I22 Keywords: Conflicts of interest; Financial advice; Financial planning; Influencers; Personal finance

Interest-Free Microfinance Arrangements and Its Impact on the Livelihood of Women in India

Objective –The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of interest-free microfinance arrangements on the livelihood of women in India. Studies reveal that the existence of interest-free microfinance, as well as its outcome on the livelihood of weaker sections of society (particularly women), overall improved their well-being. Methodology –Exploratory and cross-section analysis is used to understand the satisfaction level among non- conventional microfinance arrangements. Survey of non-conventional microfinance beneficiaries exposes the status of women’s’ earnings, financial literacy, skills development, employment generation, household savings and poverty alleviation. Findings–Interest-free microfinance products like Zakat, Sadaqah, and KarzeHasna will successfully meet micro- financing core objectives of poverty alleviation, women empowerment, gender equality, prosperity, and employment. The analysis showed that the performance of interest-free microfinance consumers is better than conventional microfinance consumers. Novelty –This study is an original which is based on the demographic, sociocultural and regulatory framework of interest-free micro finance systems to identify the acceptability in the Indian financial system. The discussions in the study are mainly concerned with the empirical review of the impact and effect of interest-free microfinance on the lifestyle of female microfinance users after obtaining a loan i.e., their income, expenditure, saving, entrepreneurship, consumption, and women participation in earning income in India. Type of Paper: Empirical JEL Classification: G20, G21. Keywords: Entrepreneurship; Livelihood; Education Development; Living Standards; Women Empowerment