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This study examines the shariah governance reporting (SGR) of Islamic banks (IBs) through a reporting index comprised of six dimensions, namely shariah committee, shariah review, shariah audit, shariah risk, overall transparency, and investment account holders. The data between 2014-2018 werecollected from the annual reports of 16 licensed IBs in Malaysia and was analyzed using the content analysis technique to gain insight into SGR practices. The empirical results indicate that sampled IBs have reported above average (60%) information of shariah governance (SG) and overall dominance of shariah reporting across the index. The segmental overview of SGR represents that all six dimensions were reported in a scattered pattern, while thematic reporting was less scattered. Broad spectrum results indicate that Malaysian IBs have reported above average (62.22%) information about shariah review and shariah risk (71.11%), whereas other dimensions' reporting was below average. The findings have also confirmed that the SGR of IBs is statistically different. This research offers matrices for IB managers to determine the accuracy, validity, and authenticity of their annual reports and customize according to shariah reporting requirements. The regulators may use this study to assess IBs' compliance with SG and improve their regulations as per globally accepted governance standards.

One of the outlining challenges of the twenty-first century is managing rapidly urbanizing cities. If managed well and guided by sound urban governance principles, cities can act as instruments of growth, and the goal of urban sustainability can be realized. On the other hand, poorly governed cities can become hubs of poverty, disparity, and conflict. Thus, this study is aimed to explore the implementation of urban governance principles in Gondar city. UN-Habitat's Urban Governance Index (UGI) is employed as an analytical framework. UGI is a straightforward, easy, and flexible framework suited to measure the quality of urban governance practices in the local context. This study's data included quantitative and qualitative data related to customer satisfaction in service delivery, citizen charter, access to electricity, waste management, water supply connections, pro-poor water policy, citizen involvement in decision-making, and incentives for the informal market. The result indicated that the highest values had been achieved in the effectiveness and accountability sub-indexes, with scores ranging between 0.65 and 0.56, respectively. Similarly, the lowest values have been recorded in equity and participation sub-indexes with scores between 0.44 and 0.37, respectively. The results revealed that the city still needs to implement sound governance principles. Therefore, attention should be given to implementing good urban governance principles to achieve the city we need that fits the smart city paradigm. Innovative structures with systems to implement UGI should be needed for sustainable urban development and to make our cities livable and competitive in the paradigm of sustainable cities.

The real estate sector has emerged as the bedrock of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) economies, and it has remained resilient despite the various unprecedented micro- and macro-economic shocks devouring the world's economies. However, wavering investor attitudes and minimal exposure to real estate investment vehicles, coupled with weak regulatory frameworks, have led to dramatic downturns in the sector. Transparency about what is happening in real estate is imperative if the success of high-profile initiatives is to continue and much depends on good corporate governance (CG) in the sector. Using the most recent data from 2019, the current study applies the CG Index (CGI) and CG Deviation Index (CGDI) constructs to the real estate (RE) sector in the GCC in an effort to develop vital indicators for future RE investment decisions in the GCC region. The results indicate that the highest CG adherence levels are being achieved in Dubai, followed by Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia. The authors attribute these countries' success in CG adherence to the entrepreneurial identity of them RE firms as well as to their governance capacity, their socio-cognitive capability, and the level of regulatory enforcement within the context of their dominant governance logic. It should be noted that there are variations in adherence levels throughout each region. The results also agree with prior literature that a higher CGS leads to a lower CGD score, and vice versa. At this point, encouraging more real estate investment trust (REIT) formations in the GCC could ensure value propositions, such as liquidity, to both investors and RE companies as well as solid governance fundamentals. This is strongly recommended for increasing the RE presence and its contribution to the GDP of each country.

PurposeUsing data on 51 firms traded in the Egyptian Exchange from 2014 to 2016, this paper aimed to assess the efficiency of corporate governance (CG) and intellectual capital (IC) practices and to explore their influence on the probability of a firm's financial distress.Design/methodology/approachThe relative efficiency of CG and IC practices has been measured under the Malmquist data envelopment analysis model. A modified Z-score model was applied to assess firms' financial distress.FindingsThe Wilcoxon signed-rank test revealed almost insignificant evidence regarding the improvement of CG and IC efficiency over the study period. The efficiency score of CG practices had no impact on the likelihood of financial distress. However, the efficiency score of IC negatively affected the probability of financial distress.Research limitations/implicationsThe integration of data envelopment analysis with Tobit regression was required for identifying the significant drivers of efficient CG and IC.Practical implicationsThe findings shed light on the role of CG and IC in alleviating the degree of financial distress in Egypt as an emerging market, especially the need to raise firms' compliance with the Egyptian CG code from a voluntary to mandatory status.Originality/valueThis study, using Malmquist data envelopment analysis, is among the first attempts to assess the relative efficiency of CG and IC practices and their effects on financial distress.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to study the effect of Malaysian Code on Corporate Governance (MCCG, 2007 and 2012) on the performance of the listed companies in Malaysia. The agency theory and resource dependency theories indicate that the firms with strong corporate governance outperform firms with weaker governance. This paper explores this relationship in a developing country like Malaysia having different institutional environment compared to western countries. Design/methodology/approach The study used a sample of 113 listed companies in Malaysia. The study incorporates the endogenous relationship between corporate governance, firm performance and leverage. Findings The study analyzes how the corporate governance framework affected firm performance in Malaysia with the help of self-developed corporate governance index (MCGI). The authors’ findings show that the performance of the firm is positively and significantly related with corporate governance measured by MCGI. Secondly, corporate governance of sample firms shows marked improvements after implementation of MCCG 2012 as compared to MCCG 2007. Originality/value The findings of this paper support the agency and the resource dependency theories. The study contributes to the understanding of the relationship between the corporate governance and firm performance in emerging economy and builds a case for enforcement of strong corporate governance code by government agencies.

The Indian corporate governance norms have been evolving over a period of time but limited number of studies have been undertaken with reference to corporate governance index (CGI) in the Indian context. The study aims to examine the relationship between CGI and firm performance. We construct CGI using important parameters of governance such as board structure, ownership structure, market for corporate control and market competition. Our panel data set comprises of listed firms and the estimation analysis has been carried out using random effects method. The study reveals significant positive relationship between CGI and firm performance metrics. CGI is an important and causal factor in explaining firm performance. The investors would also have positive perception about business firms maintaining high governance standards, thus reducing possible funding costs.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of corporate governance index (PAKCGI) on firm financial distress for a sample of 152 non-financial firms listed at Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) over the period from 2003 to 2017. Design/methodology/approach To examine the impact of PAKCGI on financial distress (Altman Z-Score), random effect model is applied. The PAKCGI is a self-constructed index based on the five important factors of corporate governance practices, i.e. board of directors, audit committees, right of shareholders, disclosures and risk management. The binary coding approach is adopted for the construction of PAKCGI. Altman Z-Score model is used as a proxy for financial distress indicator. The absolute value of Altman Z-score has been taken as financial distress indicator. Findings The outcomes of the study indicate a positive impact of PAKCGI on risk of firms’ financial distress. The positive coefficient of PAKCGI implies that the good corporate practices work as catalyst to reduce risk of financial distress in Pakistan. A significant negative impact of block holders on financial distress suggests that the concentrated block ownership take monopolistic decision to protect their interests. It has also been observed that significant positive impact of institutional ownership on financial distress exists in the Pakistani listed firms. Furthermore, this study also reveals that significant negative association between board size, CEO duality and financial distress indicator. Research limitations/implications The findings may encourage the Pakistani listed companies to follow and implement good corporate governance practices, which would lead to increase the confidence of investors, regulators and stakeholders. Originality/value The current study extends the corporate governance literature by examining the relationship between the corporate governance attributes and the financial distress status of Pakistani listed companies. From the academic perspective, this paper adds to the knowledge concerning the association between corporate governance practices and risk of financial distress in emerging markets.

Purpose This study aims to explore the relationship between board governance structure and firm risk. In particular, this study develops a “governance index” based on four aspects of the board: board composition, board leadership structure, board member characteristics and board processes, and it examines how the overall index relates to firm risk. Design/methodology/approach The study is conducted using a sample of 268 UK firms from the FTSE 350 index over the period from 2005 to 2010. An index is constructed to capture the overall governance structure of the firm. Regressions of the index on three risk measures are examined. Findings This study finds that the governance index that aggregates the four sets of board attributes is significantly and negatively related to firm risk. Robustness tests confirm this result. Research limitations/implications A large number of studies have explored the relationship between the attributes of corporate boards and firm performance with mixed results. A much smaller number of studies have looked at board attributes and firm risk, but these have either focused on financial sector firms alone or have included only a single or a limited number of attributes. This study, using a broad agency framework, seeks to extend the work on firm risk and board attributes by both expanding industry sectors examined and using a comprehensive set of board attributes. Originality value The findings have policy and practical implications for investors, regulators and chairmen of boards of governors to the extent that they inform these constituencies about the set of board attributes that are associated with firm risk. This study is the first to use a comprehensive measure of governance and relate it to firm risk.

A good system of corporate governance is a key prerequisite for sustainable economic growth and increased efficiency of an economic system and it guarantees easier access to foreign sources of capital. The financial system of Bosnia and Herzegovina is dominated by the banking system. The banking system is mostly owned by foreign enterprises. It is characterised by a very high level of ownership concentration and a closed system of corporate governance. A successful corporation requires efficient and successful management, as development of good practice in corporate governance is a sine qua non for corporations aiming to prosper on the market. Measuring corporate governance provides a clear overview of strengths and weaknesses of the system of corporate governance, not only for banks, but also for other enterprises. It is a foundation for a long-term sustainable and socially responsible growth and development, both of the banking system and the entire economic system of Bosnia and Herzegovina.