Search results

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the linkage between stock markets in Middle Eastern countries before and during the COVID-19 pandemic by using daily and monthly data sets for the period from 2011 to 2021.

The multivariate BEKK-GARCH model was computed to evaluate the existence of non-linear linkage among Middle Eastern stock markets. A correlation approach was used in this study to determine the type of linear connectivity between Middle Eastern stock markets. The study used monthly and daily data sets covering the years 2011 to 2021 to investigate the linkage between stock returns and the volatility spillover between the stock markets in Palestine, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon, both before and during COVID-19. To understand the types of relationships between markets before and during COVID-19, the daily data set was split into two periods.

Results from the pre-COVID-19 suggest that the Syria stock market is not related to any stock market in the Middle East markets; the Palestine and Lebanon stock markets exhibit a weak relationship, but Jordan and Palestine stock markets are strongly linked. Conversely, results from COVID-19 evince a very strong bidirectional volatility spillover between Middle East stock markets. Overall, the results indicate the existence of increased linkage during the COVID-19.

The data collection on a daily and monthly basis, both before and during COVID-19, presents certain limitations for the paper. Another limitation is that the data cannot be generalized to all other Middle Eastern countries; rather, the conclusions drawn can only be applied to these four countries. This is especially true if the scholars collected most of the necessary data but were unable to obtain certain data for various reasons.

These findings have implications for risk management, market regulation and the growth of local stock markets. Facilitating the growth of smaller, more specialized markets to improve integration with other Middle Eastern markets is one of the goals of the domestic stock market development policy. To ensure financial stability, Middle Eastern stock market linking policies should consider spillover risk and take steps to minimize it. Enhancing the range of investment opportunities accessible to shareholders and functioning as confidential risk-sharing mechanisms to facilitate improved risk management in Middle Eastern stock markets will not only significantly influence the mobilization of private capital to promote investment and local economic growth but also lay groundwork for integrated market platforms.

This paper adds to the body of literature by demonstrating the nature of the connections between these small markets and the larger markets in the Middle East region. Information from the smaller markets provides institutional insights that enhance the body of existing research, guide the formulation of evidence-based policies and advance financial literacy in these markets. This study contributes by comparing data from different stock markets to better understand the type and strength of the link and relationship between Middle Eastern stock markets, as well as any underlying or reinforcing factors that might have contributed to the relationship and the specific types of links that these markets shared prior and during COVID-19.

The current study immerses itself in the realm of diversification prospects within a select group of preeminent global stock exchanges. Specifically, the study casts its discerning gaze upon the financial hubs of the United States, Hong Kong, Germany, France, Amsterdam and India. In this expansive vista of international financial markets, the present analytical study aims to unravel the multifaceted opportunities that lie therein for astute portfolio management and strategic investment decisions.

The study encompasses daily time series data spanning from 2019 to 2022. To assess the interconnectedness among these stock indices, advanced statistical techniques, including Johansen cointegration methods and vector autoregressive (VAR) models, have been applied.

The research outcomes reveal both unidirectional and bidirectional relationships between the Indian, Hong Kong and US stock exchanges, encompassing both short-term and long-term time frames. Interestingly, the empirical findings indicate the presence of diversification opportunities between the Indian stock exchange and the stock exchanges of Germany, France and Amsterdam.

These insights hold significant value for both Indian and international investors, including foreign institutional investors (FIIs), domestic institutional investors (DIIs) and retail investors, as they can utilize this knowledge to construct more effective and diversified investment portfolios by understanding the intricate interconnections between these prominent global stock exchanges.

This research undertaking aspires to bring coherence to a landscape rife with divergent interpretations and methodological divergences. We are poised to offer a comprehensive analysis, a beacon of clarity amidst the murkiness, to shed light on the intricate web of interconnections that underpin the world's stock exchanges. In so doing, we seek to contribute a seminal piece of scholarship that transcends the existing ambiguities and thus empowers the field with a deeper understanding of the multifaceted dynamics governing international stock markets.

This paper examines the impact of Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs), regulated stablecoins and tokenized traditional assets on the cryptocurrency market, following the guidelines set by the Basel Committee. This study aims to analyze the implications for secure storage, cross-border transfers and necessary investments.

The paper uses a policy analysis approach to assess the potential effects of the Basel Committee’s regulations on CBDCs, regulated stablecoins and tokenized traditional assets. It explores their impact on the cryptoasset market, strategies of central and commercial banks, payment systems and risk management.

The adoption of CBDCs, regulated stablecoins and tokenized traditional assets is expected to grow rapidly in the coming years. It raises concerns about secure storage, cross-border transfers and required investments. Central banks are likely to introduce CBDCs and authorize stablecoin issuance, aiming for efficient monetary policies and risk management. Basel III regulations may lead to asset tokenization by banks, reducing asset size and increasing fee-based income.

This paper provides insights into the potential impact of the Basel Committee's regulations on CBDCs, regulated stablecoins and tokenized traditional assets. It contributes to the understanding of the evolving cryptoasset market and the strategies of central and commercial banks in adopting these technologies. The findings offer valuable information for policymakers, regulators and market participants in navigating the changing landscape of digital assets.

Businesses are increasingly called upon to support the improvement of society and the environment, and one way to do so is by expanding into international markets, particularly through exports. Despite the importance and recognised challenges of a global approach to sustainable value creation, sustainability research tends to focus on domestic contexts. This paper aims to identify the boundary conditions linking sustainable value creation practices with firm performance in the international context.

The authors merge the sustainable value creation and the international marketing literature to develop two propositions that capture the emerging nature of the field and the lack of concluding evidence regarding the link between international sustainable value creation practices and firm performance. The authors test these propositions empirically by analysing 519 responses to a survey of exporting firms in Portugal, using fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis.

The authors identify seven configurations that support sustainable value creation in an international context. These consist of varying levels of standardised and tailored offers, management experience and competitive intensity.

The identification of seven different configurations helps managers decide whether and how to innovate when pursuing sustainable value creation opportunities in international markets.

The authors propose that an effective way for governments to achieve national and transnational social and environmental agendas is to help businesses that pursue sustainable value creation to succeed in international markets. Given that four of the seven pathways to improve export performance that the authors identified require international management experience, the authors posit that an effective way to support the internationalisation of those businesses is through targeted training programmes and knowledge-sharing initiatives.

The authors respond to calls for research to integrate the sustainable value creation and the international marketing literatures, to identify how and when firms can create sustainable value creation in an international context and thus support the resolution of global, social and environmental problems. The finding that there are multiple configurations that support this goal explains why empirical evidence collected thus far is inconclusive and helps identify the boundary conditions of existing theory.

This research aims to examine the macro determinants that significantly affect financial development in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, which could be used furtherly to play a major role in economic sustainability since one of the major driving forces for economic development is the financial development.

The significant determinants of financial development should be efficiently used by the MENA region countries for creating huge financial sector development and innovation, stimulating economic development in turn and leading to the completion of the cycle of development and sustainability. To achieve this study's objective, the researcher employed a quantitative method to develop an econometric model.

This model consisted of two Panel EGLS Cross-Section Random Effects Models (REMs) in which Domestic credit to the private sector as a percentage of GDP (?PCGDP?_it) and stock market capitalization ratio (?SMC?_it) were taken as the dependent variables. In addition, the independent variables included the corruption perception index, financial freedom (FF), political stability (PS) and trade openness (TO). The researcher extracted the data for the analysis from different databases including the World Bank, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development and the International Monetary Fund. Throughout the first – Panel EGLS Cross-Section Random Effects Model, it turned out that, while FF, TO and corruption index had a positive relationship with ?PCGDP?_it, PS had an adverse effect on ?PCGDP?_it. The second – Panel EGLS Cross-Section Random Effects Model showed that, while PS and TO had a positive effect on stock market performance, the corruption index and FF had an adverse effect on stock market performance.

Throughout the first – Panel EGLS Cross-Section Random Effects Model, it turned out that, while FF, TO and corruption index had a positive relationship with ?PCGDP?_it, PS had an adverse effect on ?PCGDP?_it. The second – Panel EGLS Cross-Section Random Effects Model showed that, while PS and TO had a positive effect on stock market performance, the corruption index and FF had an adverse effect on stock market performance.

Drawing on institutional theory analytical perspectives of theorisation and translation, this study aims to explore the institutionalisation of eXtensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL) in Indonesia from a regulatory and filer perspective.

The Indonesian capital market offers a unique case of the integration of XBRL regulatory reporting between multiple regulators and a transfer from capital market regulation to state-level regulation. This study uses semi-structured interviews with key actors employed with Indonesian XBRL-regulatory bodies and listed companies (filers).

External pressures, monitoring issues and tensions in the implementation process were instrumental in the theorisation and translation of XBRL in Indonesia. Specifically, the findings show that choices made with respect to XBRL regulation and implementation created tensions between XBRL reporting fulfilling a monitoring purpose and serving stakeholders’ interests. The findings also indicate that the Indonesian approach to XBRL regulation and implementation had distinct characteristics compared to XBRL implementation in other jurisdictions.

This study emphasises the necessity for robust regulatory support and strict enforcement to navigate the complexities and tensions arising from a multi-regulatory approach. Additionally, it stresses the importance of firms’ readiness and expertise in XBRL as more sophisticated implementation strategies are considered.

Using the analytical lens of theorisation and translation, the study provides a deeper understanding of how a globally diffused accounting technology was institutionalised and legitimised in a developing country. Specifically, this study explains why a conversion approach to XBRL implementation was favoured and how XBRL implementation and reporting were managed and coordinated between different Indonesian regulators.

This paper aims to unveil the darker side of cryptocurrencies by delving into its role as an obstacle to investments in Middle East and African (MEAs) countries, unravelling the challenges involved. Indeed, despite the rise of blockchain-related technologies, specifically cryptocurrencies, having undeniably unlocked new avenues for business and society, crypto for venture funding purposes may exhibit a “dark side” due to their use for unethical purposes, for example, money laundering or terrorism financing, largely diffused in certain areas of MEA countries.

Through an explorative research design, using a mix of techniques based on both qualitative and interpretive methods, we conducted in-depth interviews among 33 European managers of companies engaged in MEA markets or aspiring to invest in such foreign markets, to analyse their thoughts, perceptions and possible strategies concerning the management of the “dark side” of cryptocurrencies in MEAs.

Our investigation unearthed seven pivotal issues, which manifest as significant barriers related to the ambivalent use of crypto for funding projects, encompassing seven important consequential elements: (1) lack of knowledge about the technology’s potentialities; (2) perceptions of crypto technology’s ambivalence; (3) reputation and image consequences; (4) uncertainty about the destination of the invested funds; (5) decreased attractiveness of MEAs; (6) competition and market; and (7) lack of control and regulation. We grouped these into technology-related, business-related and legal- and policy-related barriers. Such findings underline the probable decrease in attractiveness of MEAs in terms of investments, together with the triggering factors and potential strategic solutions to mitigate such circumstances.

Future studies could explore a broader sample of managers since we only considered the perception of European managers operating in companies that invest (or are intending to invest) in MEAs. Moreover, future research may extend the analysis to MEA-native companies or those engaging in reciprocal exchanges with Western countries.

Practically, our findings suggest several elements in which to intervene to mitigate managers’ negative perception of the unethical use of cryptocurrencies in MEAs and to support CEOs’ and CFOs’ strategies, together with requirements to ensure the unaltered attractiveness of investments in an otherwise thriving region of the world, without overlooking the protection and safeguarding of investments and the health of the market and competition. Furthermore, a call for future research in this domain, along with at least minimal regulatory mechanisms, clearly emerges.

Our findings underline the social challenges associated with the perception and acceptance of cryptocurrencies in these contexts, influencing cultural and social dynamics. Moreover, the identification of these barriers could underscore the significance of awareness of and education on blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies within society, including implications for policymakers.

Despite prior investigations into the negative effects of cryptocurrencies as a form of venture funding, no studies to date have examined managers’ perceptions by focusing on possible barriers to investment in MEA countries due to the unethical usage of crypto. Importantly, this paper unravels the unexplored complexities of crypto’s impact on ethical investments in MEAs, showcasing an original perspective.

This study aims to systematically review the literature in the fields of liquidity, informational efficiency and default risk. The authors outline the key research streams and provide possible pathways for future research.

The study adopts bibliographic mapping to identify the most influential studies in the research fields of liquidity, informational efficiency and default risk from 1984 to 2021.

The study identifies four key research themes that include efficiency and transparency of markets; corporate yield spreads; market interactions: bonds, stocks and cryptocurrencies; and corporate governance. By assessing publications published from 2018 to 2021, the authors also document seven key emerging research trends: cross markets, managerial learning and corporate governance, state ownership and government subsidies, international evidence, machine learning (FinTech approaches), environmental themes and financial crisis. Drawing on these emerging trends, the authors highlight the opportunities for future research.

Keyword searches have limitations since some studies might be overlooked if they do not match the specified search criteria, even though their relevance to the topic is under investigation. Adopt the R project to expand this review by incorporating more literature from other databases, such as the Scopus database could be a possible solution.

The four key research streams contribute to a comprehensive understanding of liquidity, informational efficiency and default risk. The emerging trends integrate existing knowledge and leave the chance for innovative research to expand the research frontier.

This study fulfills the systematic literature review streams in the fields of liquidity, informational efficiency and default risk, and provides fruitful opportunities for future research.

This study aims to examine the effects of the entry of foreign direct investments (FDIs) on the audit markets in developing countries (i.e. Egypt). There is a long-standing debate on the impact of FDIs on developing markets, but little is still known about the effect of FDI on national suppliers, such as audit firms.

This paper reports the results of a study that used qualitative research methods. It involves interviews with senior management teams of the Big 4 audit firms, to find out how these firms deal simultaneously with conflicting global and local influences. The interviews were complemented by the publicly available data on the firms’ websites as well as published reports related to the Egyptian economy and current investment regulations.

Drawing on the institutional theory, the findings suggest that an increased litigious environment, compliance with developed markets’ regulations, auditor regulatory sanctions and improved local accounting and auditing standards are highly significant consequences of foreign investment inflows. The findings indicate that more emphasis has been given to the quality of audit and auditors’ independence when auditing FDIs. Both audit regulators and audit firms in the domestic market pay higher attention to improving the quality of financial reports when FDIs have entered the market. More inspections and reviews for audit firms have been conducted, and local auditing and accounting standards have been revised to be in compliance with international standards.

Our results have important implications for investors, regulatory authorities and governments in relation to the development, implementation and enforcement of international financial reporting and auditing standards.

Policymakers and regulators in Egypt have responded to international pressure by revitalizing their local accounting and auditing standards and adopting international financial reporting and auditing standards. The authors identify strategies that have been adopted by audit firms to face the FDIs’ challenges.

This review aims to present the state of the art regarding the impact of financial technology (FinTech) on financial inclusion and its implications for consumers and institutions in terms of accessibility, usage and quality. An integrated framework is developed to illustrate the primary thematic areas for future research.

We performed a systematic literature review (SLR) to summarize and synthesize existing research published in peer-reviewed academic journals. Forty-two eligible studies were identified from the Web of Science database and a cross-reference search.

The results suggest that FinTech promotes financial inclusion for consumers and businesses by increasing the accessibility, usage and quality of financial products. We present a multidisciplinary integrative framework that links the three dimensions of financial inclusion (i.e. access, usage and quality) to financial technology. Finally, we propose several avenues for future research.

To the best of the author’s knowledge, this is the first SLR on how FinTech is associated with the accessibility, usage and quality of financial products. We provide an integrative framework for understanding the topic with implications in different fields.