Our Journals


Latest Issues

Our Experts

Latest Articles/Papers

Title: Voluntary Disclosure Practices in Jordan: Exploring the Key Drivers and Implications

Abstract: This study aims to measure the impact of the level of voluntary disclosure transparency on improving the quality of published financial reports in Jordanian business enterprises during the year 2024. The study adopted a combination of the inductive and positive approaches by extrapolating previous research and studies on voluntary disclosure and using the positive approach to analyze the quantity and quality of information disclosed in financial reports. To achieve the study’s objectives, a model for measuring the level of voluntary disclosure was developed based on models previously used in studies conducted in environments similar to the Jordanian context. This model includes 134 elements encompassing strategic, financial, and non-financial information, with the aim of assessing the impact of these components on improving financial report quality. The study defines report quality in terms of the ability of disclosed information to influence the decision-making process of report users within the research population, which consists of publicly listed companies on the Amman Stock Exchange. Additionally, the study sought to analyze the relationship between several variables—board independence, family ownership percentage, audit committees, and international exposure—and the level of voluntary accounting disclosure. The research sample consisted of 20 publicly listed companies on the Amman Stock Exchange, selected based on specific criteria that serve and contribute to achieving the study’s objectives. The results revealed a statistically significant positive correlation between board independence, international exposure, audit committees, audit firm size, company size, and company performance and the level of voluntary disclosure transparency. Furthermore, the study found a statistically significant negative correlation between the percentage of family ownership in Jordanian public shareholding companies and the level of voluntary disclosure in financial reports.

By Alaa Mohamad Malo Alain
In Volume: 14,Issue: 1
Title: Best Practices in Microcredit Governance: Lessons from Bangladesh

Abstract: The performance of two prominent microcredit providers—Grameen Bank and BRAC NGO—is examined in this paper, with particular attention paid to their different organizational structures and governance frameworks. As a borrower-owned cooperative, Grameen Bank promotes member involvement in decision-making, which, through group lending, encourages ownership and peer support but may also lead to social pressure. BRAC NGO, on the other hand, employs a centralized governance model and offers a thorough approach to micro credit that is in line with its larger social development initiatives. Although this strategy provides comprehensive assistance, it may not be as flexible to meet the needs of each borrower. Although borrower choices and economic conditions have an impact on their effectiveness, both groups aim to increase loan attachment and reduce poverty. While BRAC depends on a combination of donor money and revenue-generating operations, Grameen Bank places a higher priority on self-sufficiency. The impact and sustainability of microcredit systems might be improved by fusing the advantages of both models—BRAC's integrated approach and Grameen Bank's borrower ownership.

By Tahmina Akhter, Shanzida Hassan
In Volume: 14,Issue: 1
Title: The Shock of Corruption on GDP Per Capita: A Panel Data Postmortem on the South Asian Region

Abstract: Corruption is characterized as the exploitation of entrusted authority for personal advantage, often taking the form of illegal acts, deceit, or bribery, and is broadly regarded as harmful to economic progress. Although some research indicates that corruption might enhance certain economic activities, it is primarily perceived as a major obstacle to sustainable development on a global scale. The research question of this study is: What is the effect of corruption on GDP per capita in South Asian nations between 1995 and 2016? This investigation examines the link between corruption, as assessed by the Corruption Perception Index (CPI), and GDP per capita in South Asia. By employing a Generalized Least Squares (GLS) model, the study seeks to analyze the impact of corruption on GDP per capita. The results reveal a significant negative association between corruption and GDP per capita, indicating that corruption hinders economic growth in the region. Therefore, it is crucial for the governments of these nations to adopt effective strategies to address corruption and foster sustainable economic development.

By Md. Mahmudul Hassan, Tareq Imam Zahid
In Volume: 14,Issue: 1
Title: An Analytical Study of Impact of Merger and Acquisition on the Financial Performance of Selected Indian Banks

Abstract: This research paper compares pre-merger financial performance of selected public sector banks with that of post-merger financial performance. The financial performance is measured by nine different variables that are business per employee (BPE), profit per employee (PPE), net interest margin (NIM), return on assets (ROA), return on equity (ROE), CASA ratio, capital adequacy ratio (CAD), gross non-performing asset(GNPA) and earning per share (EPS). The research is purely based on data collected from annual reports of selected banks. This data is analyzed by using paired t-test and the two tailed significance value is taken for hypothesis testing. The study found a negative impact of merger on financial performance of State Bank of India. While the financial performance of Bank of Baroda, Punjab National Bank, Canara Bank, Union Bank of India and Indian Bank more or less improved post-merger. All the banks except SBI showed a better utilization of human resource as the business per employee is increased significantly. Only Union Bank of India showed improvement in profit per employee variable and return one quity. Net interest margin of four banks namely Bank of Baroda, Canara Bank, Punjab National Bank and Union Bank of India improved post-merger. It is observed that overall funding cost benefits that are measured by CASA ratio is seen in State bank of India and Indian Bank. The capital adequacy ratio increased in case of Indian Bank, Punjab National Bank and Union Bank of India. No major benefit of merger is seen on gross NPA except in case of Canara Bank. Earnings per share of all six banks did not show any significant impact of merger.

By Deepak Verma, Manoj Kumar Agarwal
In Volume: 14,Issue: 1
Title: Electric Mobility Integration in Indian Urban Planning: Challenges, Opportunities, and Policy Implications

Abstract: India’s urban transport system is facing unprecedented challenges due to rapid population growth, vehicular congestion, and escalating pollution levels. Against this backdrop, the transition toward electric mobility (e-mobility) offers a promising pathway for sustainable urban development. This study investigates the extent to which electric mobility is being integrated into urban planning in Indian cities. It explores critical challenges such as inadequate charging infrastructure, limited policy coordination, and citizen hesitancy. Drawing upon both primary data collected through surveys in five urban centres—and secondary sources from government and institutional reports, the research applies statistical methods, including factor analysis and regression modelling, to examine the drivers of electric vehicle (EV) adoption. The findings reveal that infrastructure readiness and public policy awareness are strong predictors of urban EV acceptance. The study concludes by offering practical policy recommendations, such as zoning reforms and enhanced fiscal incentives, aimed at creating EV-supportive urban environments aligned with national climate goals.

By Shantam Babbar, Rajesh Kumar Raju, Monika Kumari
In Volume: 14,Issue: 1
Title: The Role of Social Media Marketing Strategies in Promoting Uttarakhand Tourism

Abstract: This study explores the role of Social Media Marketing Strategies (SMMSs) in promoting tourism in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. With the rise of digital platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and WhatsApp, social media has become a pivotal tool for destination branding, customer engagement, and tourism outreach. The research adopts a qualitative, descriptive design and relies solely on secondary data, including academic literature, government tourism reports, and digital platform analytics. The paper identifies key determinants of successful social media marketing in tourism content quality, user-generated content, influencer marketing, real-time engagement, and platform-specific strategies. Uttarakhand's current digital efforts are largely focused on basic visual content, with limited use of advanced engagement tools like Social CRM or influencer-led campaigns. It critically evaluates the current approach using a SWOT analysis framework and identifies both achievements and gaps in platform utilisation, content localisation, and targeted advertising. This evaluation provides detailed recommendations to improve digital outreach, including platform diversification, technological innovation, regional inclusion, and sustainable tourism promotion. The findings suggest that while Uttarakhand has made significant progress in digital tourism marketing, an integrated and adaptive strategy is essential to achieve long-term success in an increasingly competitive and dynamic tourism landscape. The research concludes by offering practical recommendations, including developing multilingual content, deeper influencer collaboration, improved feedback mechanisms, and benchmarking against digitally mature tourism states. These strategies can help Uttarakhand maximise its tourism potential by aligning digital marketing practices with evolving traveller behaviours.

By Vijendra Kumar, Bushra Mateen
In Volume: 14,Issue: 1