The role of corporate governance on CSR disclosure and firm performance in a voluntary environment

The file attached to this record is the author's final peer reviewed version. The Publisher's final version can be found by following the DOI link.Purpose This study aims to investigate the impact of corporate social responsibility disclosure (CSRD) on firm performance and the moderating role of corporate governance on the CSRD–firm performance relationship of listed companies in Nigeria. Design/methodology/approach The paper uses a panel data set comprising 841 firm-year observations for the period covering 2007-2016. Fixed effect regression analysis was used to examine the relationship between CSRD and firm performance, and the moderating role of corporate governance in the CSRD–firm performance relationship. Findings The results of the study show that there are positive performance implications for firms that engage in CSRD. Although this study finds no effect of board size on the CSRD–firm performance relationship, it provides a strong evidence of a positive effect of board independence on the CSR–firm performance relationship. Practical implications The study contributes to the understanding of CSRD–firm performance relationship by providing evidence of the moderating role of corporate governance. It is, therefore, recommended that a stronger regulation be put in place for CSR engagement and the disclosure of same in Nigeria as well as robust measures for the enforcement of corporate governance mechanisms because there are economic benefits to be derived. Originality/value The findings contribute to the literature by providing up-to-date and original insights on the CSRD–firm performance relationship within a developing country context. It also uses an unco mmon method of measuring CSRD, taking into account the institutional biases that may arise from other methods used in studies on developed countries

Workplace fraud and theft in SMEs: Evidence from the mobile telephone sector in Nigeria

Purpose - This study investigates employee fraud within small enterprises in the Nigerian mobile phone sector. It also seeks to understand the key factors that motivate employees to engage in fraudulent behaviours against their employers, and the consequences of these fraudulent behaviours on small businesses (SMEs) in Nigeria. Design/methodology/approach - The empirical study involves the use of quantitative research. Data was collected through structured questionnaires from 159 business owners, sales representatives, cashiers and suppliers. Frequency distribution, Percentages, Pearson correlation, and multiple regression analysis were used to analyse the collected data. Findings - The findings from this research shows a significant relationship between personal and organisational factors and employee theft. Particularly, organisational factors made the strongest positive contribution to employee theft. The research also revealed that employee theft had significant effects on employers but less significance on employees. In addition, the research revealed that many businesses did not have preventive measures against employee theft in their firms. Originality/Value – This study shows the relationship between different factors that could cause an employee to engage in fraudulent behaviours, particularly in SMEs in Nigeria

CSR disclosure and corporate sustainability: evidence from the Shenzhen Stock Exchange

In this paper we examined the relationship between CSR and corporate sustainability of Chinese companies listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange. This is necessitated by the high demand and increase in CSR activities and disclosures around the globe. Using a sample of 317 companies, we drew insights from the triple bottom line (TBL) and stakeholder theory to investigate the relationship between CSR and corporate sustainability. Data was analysed using structural equation modelling (SEM). A major contribution of this paper is the construction of a comprehensive CSR information disclosure index capable of guiding researchers and managers in measuring their CSR activities and reporting. The study's findings revealed that most Chinese companies stayed at the intermediate level of CSR information disclosure. Although CSR disclosure in economic and social dimension has a significant positive effect on corporate sustainability, our result shows a negative relationship with CSR in environmental dimension

Reducing occupational fraud through reforms in public sector audit: evidence from Ghana

The file attached to this record is the author's final peer reviewed version. The Publisher's final version can be found by following the DOI link.Purpose This paper aims to explore the contributions that public sector audit through reforms can make in dealing with the issues of occupational fraud in Ghana. Design/methodology/approach The issues surrounding the Ghana Audit Service (GAS) reports issued to parliament were reviewed using socio-legal methodology. The discussion as well as the theoretical contribution is informed by stakeholder theory. Findings The findings show matching of irregularities as reported by regular audit reports to schemes of occupational fraud and abuse as well as how the power to surcharge and disallow would serve as a deterrence mechanism in the fight against occupational fraud. Practical implications This paper concludes with discussions on specific requirements including the use of fraud investigators and modern forensic techniques in a collaborative effort with guidelines from the Supreme Audit Institution to minimise fraud. Originality/value This study, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, is the first to explore the role of GAS in minimising occupational fraud

Responsible Education: What Engages International Postgraduate Students – Evidence from UK

Purpose: Responsive educational approaches focus on a set of well-designed practises intended to create engaging, social cohesion, better knowledge outcomes and excellent students experience. Therefore, this article engages in the discourse of the intersection of psych-sociology of learning and student’s engagement, connected to the sense of belonging and theory of planned behaviour (TPB). Methodology: By applying an ethnographic approach and interview of 45 international students from three UK business schools, it proposes that a sense of ‘belongingness’ is a prerequisite for learning, personal and professional development. Due to the exploratory nature of the subject, the use of qualitative methodology turned out to be particularly useful. Indeed, the conduct of in-depth semi-structured interviews, participative observation enabled us to access perceptions of students and compare different points of view. Findings: The findings indicate that international students measure their experience by ‘sense of belonging’, integration and engagement on many interrelated and influential factors. English proficiency and employability skills are major concerns. The kinds of support students received and the quality of feedback from tutors is important for International studies integration and sense of belonging. Originality: The findings of the critical elements of the engagement and experience of international students have both policy and practical implications given the high demand for UK universities by foreign students. Although, this article is based on findings from UK higher education institutions (HEIs), the insights are of relevance to many countries such as Australia, Canada, Germany, France and the US who have a significant proportion of overseas students

Fraud in Small Charities: Evidence from England and Wales

The file attached to this record is the author's final peer reviewed version. The Publisher's final version can be found by following the DOI linkPurpose – Despite the increasing awareness of fraud in organisations in the UK and the potential benefits of strong fraud management through deterrence and prevention, there remains limited research on fraud in small charities. This paper examines cases of fraud in small charities whilst raising awareness of the impact of fraud and its wider implications for the charity sector. Design/methodology/approach – This research used a qualitative approach amongst 24 randomly selected trustees of charities with annual incomes of £0 to £250,000 and over £250,000. Recent statistics are presented from fraud surveys published in the Annual Fraud Indicator by the National Fraud Authority and the United Kingdom Fraud Costs Measurement Committee (UKFCMC). The theory of why people commit fraud is also described. Findings – This paper summarises evidence that shows the frequency and severity of fraud in charities continues to increase. Furthermore, smaller charities are not immune from fraud and suffer losses due to lack of segregation of duties and weak control systems, when compared to larger charities with stronger control systems and better governance structure. This paper addresses a very important topic in the charity sector. Whilst fraud and fund misappropriation in large charities receive significant media coverage, smaller charities also suffer losses occasioned by fraud – even in larger proportions – but with less reporting in the media. Practical implications – Charity managers and trustees will benefit from having sufficient knowledge of deterrence and prevention of charity fraud. Originality/value – This is a novel research project as it looks into the nature of fraud in small charities, about which there is limited research in the literature both on fraud and the voluntary sector

NGO Accountability on Environmentalism: A Literature Review of Relevant Issues and Themes

This chapter, which is in themes, starts with a survey of the rise of environmentalism for the purpose of sustainability. It then evaluates the roles of nongovernmental organisations' (NGOs') self-regulation and government regulation on the need for accountability that ensures sustainability. NGOs' accountability is a way of making sure that stakeholders' social, environmental and economic sustainability are protected and rigorously evaluated. This chapter further examines what the enduring mechanisms should be if true accountability, which leads to sustainability, will be achieved to suggest holistic accountability that involves downward and upward accountability. In doing so, this chapter utilised the identified five mechanisms that ensure the continuity of world sustainability, which is prima-facie, the objective of funders/donors, beneficiaries/stakeholders and the NGO's loop

Review of Environmentalism and NGO Accountability

The nexus between Environmentalism and NGO Accountability can be established through different and diverse contexts. This edition of the journal examined these different contexts in the 6 different articles published in the edition. Taken together, the articles examined issues such as the work NGOs do and how they account for such in Africa, the Asian region and the global economies. The authors did this using differing theoretical perspectives and concepts. These range from use of the stakeholder salience theory, downward accountability perspective, sustainability, holistic integrated framework and critical study analysis within the context of the developing, continental and global economies. Others include the impact of NGOs on vulnerable communities and the need for environmental footprint accountability and disclosure. The edition is a compendium of information on these various themes which promises to be very useful in understanding these issues

AN INVESTIGATION OF THE PERCEPTION OF DONORS ON NONGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS' REGULATION AND ACCOUNTABILITY

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the perception of donors on the need for Non-Governmental Organizations' (NGOs) regulation and accountability. It explores the opportunities this offers to regulation and accountability research. Drawing upon public interest theory and upward accountability, this study employed quantitative methods to test donors' perceptions of NGO regulations and accountability. While this paper focuses on Nigeria, it draws on examples from developing and developed countries contexts to contribute to knowledge and scholarship. The research findings show that there is a positive association between perceptions for Nigerian NGO regulation and accountability. There is also evidence that there are significant differences in perceptions for regulation, accountability and frequency of donations. Following the research findings, this paper argues for the establishment of an agency responsible for the supervision, coordination and monitoring of NGOs. This agency will help improve accountability and enhance public trust in the sector. This paper advances our knowledge of NGO regulation and accountability and provides a basis for accounting scholars who are seeking to undertake accountability research on Africa. As far as we know, there is no existing study that has empirically investigated the perception of the need for regulation and accountability in Nigerian NGOs from the donors' perspective

Achieving sustainability through environmental social governance reporting: overcoming the challenges

The study analyses the effectiveness of the environmental, social and governance (ESG) framework in fostering sustainability. The study utilises a library research by surveying prior literature on issues related to the subject matter. Differing philosophical schools of thoughts of proponents and opponents of the current state of ESG reporting were analysed vis-à-vis their pros and cons, and the resulting outcome of the discourse utilised to set forth a position for engendering sustainable development. The study proposes the development of a holistic integrated framework that incorporates quantitative ESG disclosures with financial reporting, achieved through the monetisation of the ESG indices. The study outlines that despite the perceived herculean nature of the quantification of ESG indices, along with its incorporation into the financial reporting framework, the feat is nevertheless achievable. The integration might, however, be required to occur within phases, as well as a committed participation from the requisite stakeholders. Despite the seemingly precarious nature of the monetisation of the ESG indices, in our opinion, it remains the best bet yet for the promotion of true sustainability of not just the firm, but of the entire planet