An Autoethnographic Report on Freelance Employment in the Malaysian Oil and Gas Industry During Uncertain Economic Conditions

In this paper we present our study of the role of freelancers in the modern labour market, especially during times of economic downturns. Using an autoethnographic research approach, it presents the personal journey of Fathullah working as a consultant in the oil and gas industry in Malaysia. The study focuses on the impact of the 2014 oil price crash and his subsequent plight in taking his career forward during times of uncertainty. Based on the autoethnographic account, it explores various aspects of life as a freelancer such as the issues of job security and job satisfaction. Fathullah found that he enjoyed a different form of job security compared to the time when he was in regular employment, for he has direct market access and wider reach to organizations that require his skills. It follows that he also experienced better job satisfaction as a freelancer. This paper provides insights to aspiring job seekers, businesses in need of human capital and policy-makers aiming to modernize the labour market

The audit committees, internal audit and external audit quality effects on earnings management : an analysis of Malaysian government-linked companies

The role of audit governance mechanisms as part of the corporate governance architecture has been promoted to ensure the integrity of the financial reporting process. In order to get insights on their effectiveness, this study investigates the effects of the audit governance mechanism, specifically audit committee, internal audit function and external audit quality on earnings management in Malaysian government-linked companies. Using a cross-sectional variation of the modified Jones Model (1995) to estimate discretionary accruals, this study examined 38 GLCs from 2009–2018, which consisted of 340 firm-year pair observations. Panel data regression analysis was carried out using the generalised least square method to analyse the effect of audit governance mechanisms on earnings management. The findings suggest that lower likelihood of earnings management is associated with the internal audit function. Further analysis on the proxy of internal audit measures suggests that in-house internal audit function is negatively associated with earnings management. This research would provide insights for regulators and management to strengthen in-house internal audit function in order to mitigate earnings management in Malaysian government-linked companie

Big data analytics capabilities (BDAC) and sustainability reporting on Facebook: Does tone at the top matter?

AbstractThis study examines the impact of big data analytics capabilities (BDAC) on sustainability reporting disclosure on Facebook (SRDF) and the moderating impact of tone at the top’s attributes on the relationship between BDAC and SRDF. A total of 100 publicly listed companies (PLCs) in Malaysia that mentioned using social media during the year 2019 were chosen as this study’s sample. This study was underpinned by positivist research paradigm and used quantitative data collection methods (questionnaire and content analysis). Based on the structural equation modelling (SEM) employed, the results of the study showed that BDAC implementation had a significant impact on SRDF. The presence of a specific tone (certainty) at the top in Chief Executive Officer’s (CEO) letters strengthened the relationship between BDAC and SRDF, but other attributes of tone at the top showed insignificant results. This study acknowledges the important contribution of dynamic capabilities, such as BDAC and a specific tone at the top, i.e., certainty, in promoting sustainability reporting on social media from the perspective of dynamic capabilities view (DCV) theory. Thus, companies are suggested to implement BDAC and communicate certainty in the tone at the top to improve their sustainability reporting on social media, particularly on Facebook

Impact of the Independent Directors' Social Network on Earnings Management Before and During the COVID-19 Period

This study examines the impact of the independent directors' social network on earnings management before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic increased uncertainty and pressure in the business environment, which led to intensified earnings management of listed companies worldwide. The research constructs centrality indexes of the independent director social network through the social network analysis method and conducts an empirical study on 1,167 A-share listed companies in China from 2009 to 2020. The relationship between independent directors' network centrality and accrual-based earnings management of companies is examined. Empirical results reveal that independent directors' network centrality is associated with higher accrued earnings management and undesirable corporate practices such as earnings management can be disseminated through directors' social networks. This research innovatively incorporates the research findings into the COVID-19 context, further indicating that independent directors' social network is associated with higher accrued earnings management during the COVID-19 period than before. This research will provide insights for regulators, specifically regulators in China, regarding the independent directors' composition and effectiveness

Impact of the Independent Directors' Social Network on Earnings Management Before and During the COVID-19 Period

This study examines the impact of the independent directors' social network on earnings management before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic increased uncertainty and pressure in the business environment, which led to intensified earnings management of listed companies worldwide. The research constructs centrality indexes of the independent director social network through the social network analysis method and conducts an empirical study on 1,167 A-share listed companies in China from 2009 to 2020. The relationship between independent directors' network centrality and accrual-based earnings management of companies is examined. Empirical results reveal that independent directors' network centrality is associated with higher accrued earnings management and undesirable corporate practices such as earnings management can be disseminated through directors' social networks. This research innovatively incorporates the research findings into the COVID-19 context, further indicating that independent directors' social network is associated with higher accrued earnings management during the COVID-19 period than before. This research will provide insights for regulators, specifically regulators in China, regarding the independent directors' composition and effectiveness

An autoethnographic report on freelance employment in the Malaysian oil and gas industry during uncertain economic conditions

In this paper we present our study of the role of freelancers in the modern labour market, especially during times of economic downturns. Using an autoethnographic research approach, it presents the personal journey of Fathullah working as a consultant in the oil and gas industry in Malaysia. The study focuses on the impact of the 2014 oil price crash and his subsequent plight in taking his career forward during times of uncertainty. Based on the autoethnographic account, it explores various aspects of life as a freelancer such as the issues of job security and job satisfaction. Fathullah found that he enjoyed a different form of job security compared to the time when he was in regular employment, for he has direct market access and wider reach to organizations that require his skills. It follows that he also experienced better job satisfaction as a freelancer. This paper provides insights to aspiring job seekers, businesses in need of human capital and policy-makers aiming to modernize the labour market. Copyright 2019: Fathullah Akmal Khalid, Wai Meng Chan, Azlina Abdul Jalil, and Nova Southeastern University

Do powerful CEOs matter for earnings quality? Evidence from Bangladesh.

This study investigates the effects of powerful Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) on earnings quality in a setting where CEOs have strong dominance over other top executives and occasionally attempt to exert their influence over corporate regulatory bodies. Using 10-year longitudinal data for the period from 2010 to 2019 and 1,395 firm-year observations from listed non-financial firms in Bangladesh, we found that CEOs' political power and CEOs with high structural and expert power have a significant detrimental effect on earnings quality. Ownership and prestige power have an insignificant impact on earnings quality. These powerful CEOs use accrual and real activity manipulation techniques together to manage the earnings. This study uses the system-generalized method of moment estimates for estimation purposes, and the results remain robust when alternative earnings quality proxies are used. Taken together, our results suggest that CEOs' political duality (i.e., serving simultaneously as a member of parliament and a CEO) should be restricted and that a CEO's tenure should be limited to a reasonable period. This research adds to the existing body of knowledge by offering empirical support for CEO power dynamics on earnings quality, specifically political and prestige power

Assessing the effect of waterfront development in Malaysia

A waterfront development is already a well-established phenomenon internationally. Waterfront redevelopment in Malaysia has taken place over the last twenty years. Many issues abounded when a city decided to transform its vacant or underused waterfront areas. Some waterfront development projects have successfully included waterfront attraction projects, but many others have not succeeded. Therefore, this study aims to examine the effect of waterfront development in Malaysia. The findings of this study were based on interviews conducted within three case study areas: Kuching’s Riverfront, Malacca’s Waterfront, and Glennmarie Cove Riverfront. The results showed that the development of waterfront development have several effects, both positive and negative sides. Improving riverbank beautification and landscape and increasing environmental problem such as water pollution and flooding were identified as a main effects derived from waterfront development in the particular case study areas. Therefore, maximizing waterfront benefits is important for maintaining the economic value of waterfront areas

Assessing the effect of waterfront development in Malaysia

A waterfront development is already a well-established phenomenon internationally. Waterfront redevelopment in Malaysia has taken place over the last twenty years. Many issues abounded when a city decided to transform its vacant or underused waterfront areas. Some waterfront development projects have successfully included waterfront attraction projects, but many others have not succeeded. Therefore, this study aims to examine the effect of waterfront development in Malaysia. The findings of this study were based on interviews conducted within three case study areas: Kuching’s Riverfront, Malacca’s Waterfront, and Glennmarie Cove Riverfront. The results showed that the development of waterfront development have several effects, both positive and negative sides. Improving riverbank beautification and landscape and increasing environmental problem such as water pollution and flooding were identified as a main effects derived from waterfront development in the particular case study areas. Therefore, maximizing waterfront benefits is important for maintaining the economic value of waterfront areas